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- Nine in 10 heritage organisations have suffered a crime in the past year
- Anti-social behaviour, physical abuse, theft of metal, damage by vehicles, and theft of oil have increased
- Seven in 10 are more concerned about crime than ever before
New research1 commissioned by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical has revealed a rise in crime at Britain’s heritage sites.
A survey of 500 heritage decision-makers found that 92% of heritage organisations have suffered crime during the past 12 months, up 2% on the previous year2. These include an increase in anti-social behaviour, physical abuse towards staff and volunteers from visitors, theft of metal, damage by vehicles, and theft of oil3.
The impact has been a rise in heritage sites being forced to close due to crime (35% vs 30% in 2023) and low staff/volunteer morale (41% vs 37% in 2023).
Visitors behaving badly
The majority (96%) of heritage organisations have experienced challenging visitor behaviour during the past 12 months, up 2% on the past year. The survey found littering, visitors refusing to follow instructions, anti-social parking, and petty theft have increased4.
Earlier this year, English Heritage announced5 staff at four of its historic sites are now wearing body cameras to help deter crime and anti-social behaviour from visitors.
Growing concerns
Seven in 10 (71%) heritage leaders report their organisations are more concerned about crime than ever before, up 2% on the previous year.
The heritage sector is making investments to prevent crime. The research found 95% of heritage organisations have introduced new measures to protect the organisation and deter criminals during the past 12 months. Investments in security guards and patrols, security fencing, and additional cybersecurity have increased compared to the previous year6.
Despite these investments, three in five (61%) heritage leaders believe their organisation is an easy target for criminals, and two-thirds (66%) report their organisation needs to do more to prevent crime.
“As the UK’s leading insurer of Grade I listed buildings, we’re passionate about protecting Britain’s heritage. Our research shows crime has increased, and it’s concerning that 92% of heritage organisations have experienced it during the past year. There are a number of measures heritage organisations can take to better secure property and assets, which would ideally be a combination of both physical and electronic protection. Reviewing perimeter security arrangements, ensuring entry points are well lit and secured can often offer a good first line of defence against unwanted visitors, while CCTV can act as a visual deterrent for those not wanting to be caught on camera.”
Ecclesiastical Insurance offers a range of risk management support and guidance to help heritage organisations manage the risks they face.
Notes
1 The survey was commissioned by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical and conducted by OnePoll with 500 decision makers from UK heritage organisations from 18 – 29 April 2024. The sample included 100 museums, 100 theatres, 100 castles, 100 stately homes and 100 galleries.
2 The survey was commissioned by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical and conducted by OnePoll with 500 decision makers from UK heritage organisations from 4 – 11 July 2023. The sample included 100 museums, 100 theatres, 100 castles, 100 stately homes and 100 galleries.
3 Physical abuse towards staff and volunteers from visitors (23% vs 22% in 2023)
Theft of metal (15% vs 12% in 2023)
Damage by vehicles (15% vs 14% in 2023)
Theft of oil (9% vs 5% in 2023)
4 Littering (50% vs 46% in 2023)
Visitors refusing to follow instructions (44% vs 43% in 2023)
Anti-social parking (35% vs 30% in 2023)
Petty theft (32% vs 27% in 2023)
5English Heritage staff wear body cameras because of abusive visitors - telegraph.co.uk
6 Anti-social behaviour (30% vs 28% in 2023)
Investments in security guards / patrols (48% vs 47% in 2023)
Security fencing (35% vs 33% in 2023)
Additional cybersecurity (30% vs 25% in 2023)