From an illicit hobby to a semi-professional criminal industry

The "nighthawking" survey is out today. One news report has already covered the story with a depiction of how archaeological sites in England are being pillaged (Maev Kennedy and Sam Jones, "Treasure raiders scooping up UK heritage", The Guardian February 16, 2009). The issue shows "that what was once an illicit hobby has mushroomed into a semi-professional criminal industry. According to police, thieves have formed loosely connected networks to trade information, often in online forums, about new and vulnerable sites."

Other reports:

• "Nighthawkers raid nation's archaeological heritage to sell on eBay", The Times February 16, 2009
• "Warning over metal detector crime", BBC February 16, 2009
• "On the treasure stealers' trail", BBC February 16, 2009
  
• Stephen Adams, "Metal detector thieves are plundering our history, English Heritage warns", Daily Telegraph February 16, 2009