Reports of possible night hawking led officers from Wiltshire Police’s Salisbury Team 4 Response to conduct patrols in the New Forest area.
Nigh hawking is the theft of archaeological artefacts from protected archaeological sites and areas under the cover of darkness, usually by members of the public by use of a commercially produced metal detector.
The last time officers conducted patrols in response to reports of night hawking was in 2020, when reports led officers to engage in night-time foot patrols at Old Sarum, Woodhenge and Ludgershall Castle.
On Thursday, April 27, officers spoke to a member of the Forestry Commission who was conducting wildlife surveys after they had reported an incident of suspected night hawking activity the night before.
Wiltshire Police said it performed reassurance patrols and area searches of the locations indicated and found no suspicious activity.
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