Gloucestershire Constabulary launches new Heritage Watch scheme

Gloucestershire Constabulary has launched Heritage Watch, a scheme designed to protect the county’s historic sites, monuments and artefacts from the threat of heritage crime and anti-social behaviour.

Heritage Watch was launched during a special event last night (Wednesday 10 May) held at Cheltenham Minster, which is the town's only surviving medieval building, dating back to the mid-12th century. It is also one of the town’s five Grade I-listed buildings.

The churchyard is highly significant, containing Grade II listed walls, gate piers and railings, lamp posts and memorials. The medieval church cross is a scheduled monument of national importance.

The church and churchyard have been subject to damage and anti-social behaviour. This has caused lasting damage to the church and heritage assets within the churchyard, and affected our enjoyment of the area.

As a result, the local community and partners have worked to create Gloucestershire’s first Heritage Watch scheme for the area, under the name of Operation Minster.

The initiative is designed to protect our county’s historic archaeological sites, buildings, landscapes and artefacts from the threat of crime and anti-social behaviour.

This will be done by improving communication between people who live near or work at historic sites; those members of the community who take a keen interest in the county’s heritage; and, key partners from law enforcement and heritage organisations.