7591 Protective Marking for Protected Wreck Sites

As part of Historic England's programme to tackle heritage crime and anti-social behaviour affecting historic sites in England, we are committed to reducing the theft of heritage metals from the marine environment.

A workshop held at Leeds Castle in late November 2016 sought to understand measures to prevent, detect and enforce marine heritage crime on designated heritage assets, building on the success of Operation Crucible. This Operation saw co-ordinated action against metal thieves for first time.

In order to provide for the conservation of designated marine heritage assets, including those most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats, Historic England is seeking to procure functions to support forensic marking of cultural property underwater.

This project therefore provides the opportunity to research, identify and implement the most effective and durable form of forensic marking. This will seek to provide -

o An effective deterrent and to prevent unlawful removal or damage, and;

o The ability to accurately identify the provenance of objects or artefacts that have been recovered as part of a criminal investigation or process of due diligence.