A project aimed at preventing heritage crime has been launched in an Oxfordshire town after repeated vandalism has threatened its historic monuments.
Wallingford Town Council has got behind a scheme from Historic England to protect the town’s vast and unique heritage from vandals and carelessness.
A heritage crime conference will be hosted in the new academic year with children from schools in the area invited to learn more about heritage crime.
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Councillor Katharine Keats-Rohan, of South Oxfordshire District Council and Wallingford Town Council, is spearheading the project.
She said: “It’s all about education and getting people to understand the value of heritage and why they should look after it.
“It’s really about being positive and talking about the value of things rather than telling people off because they’ve been naughty – it will have a very positive message to it.”
Heritage crime is defined by Historic England as “any offence which harms the value of heritage assets and their settings”, which are particularly susceptible to irreversible damage.
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It comes after Wallingford Castle’s walls were damaged by vandals in 2017 who pushed over stonework, leaving the town council with a repair bill of £500,000.
A grant from Historic England came through in 2021 with repairs completed two years later, and with it an opportunity for Wallingford to join the scheme which is being rolled out nationally.
A further instance of anti-social behaviour at the castle came last summer when young people were spotted climbing the castle on security footage.
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And in March this year, the Grade II listed Wallingford Bridge was damaged by graffiti, after vandals left “tags” on the scheduled monument in at least six separate areas.
Wallingford Castle Gardens Ms Keats-Rohan added: “This is exactly the sort of thing we’re targeting.
“We’re trying to build a bridge to young people, to get them understand that it’s in nobody’s interest to damage these things.
“Our history, our heritage is part of who we are, it makes the places that we’re in the places that they are.
“If you’re happy and comfortable in Wallingford, which I hope most people are, then let’s keep it that way.”
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The heritage crime conference will be held on October 9, but because the council is constrained by the size of the town hall and the specificity of the subject matter, is by invitation only.
Local schools will be invited with the aim of reaching the young people who attend them and fostering respect for the history of the town in the next generation.
Ms Keats-Rohan said: “We’re hoping to lead in the protection of heritage through education and engagement.”
