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Harsher penalties for thieves targeting war memorials Harsher penalties for thieves targeting war memorials
(about 2 hours later)
Thieves who steal metal plaques from war memorials, or damage other historic monuments, will face tougher penalties under new guidelines for judges in England and Wales. Thieves who steal metal plaques from war memorials or damage historic monuments will face tougher penalties under new guidelines for judges in England and Wales.
The Sentencing Council also recommends harsher punishments when a crime puts people at risk of harm. The Sentencing Council also recommends harsher punishments when an item of great sentimental value is stolen.
Historic England welcomed the move, saying the value of heritage "can't be judged in pounds and pence".
More than 91,000 offenders were sentenced for theft last year.More than 91,000 offenders were sentenced for theft last year.
Mark Harrison, of Historic England, said the value of England's heritage "can't be judged in pounds and pence". The sentencing guidelines now focus on "additional harm" suffered by victims, with their emotional distress, loss of confidence and any disruption or inconvenience now taken into account.
The sentencing guidelines now also focus on "additional harm" suffered by victims, with their emotional distress, loss of confidence and any disruption or inconvenience now taken into account.
If the items stolen were of "substantial value" to the victim - besides the financial value of stolen items - then the thief could receive a harsher penalty.
This could include the theft of a mobile phone containing photographs or messages of great sentimental value, or a laptop containing an important piece of work like a PhD, the Sentencing Council said.
'Far-reaching consequences''Far-reaching consequences'
Offences involving historic objects being stolen have been specifically recognised as "more serious" by the Sentencing Council for the first time.Offences involving historic objects being stolen have been specifically recognised as "more serious" by the Sentencing Council for the first time.
The new guidelines say this includes damage to war memorials when thieves steal metal plaques, and theft of objects from a historic shipwreck.The new guidelines say this includes damage to war memorials when thieves steal metal plaques, and theft of objects from a historic shipwreck.
Mr Harrison added: "The impact of theft on our historic sites and buildings has far-reaching consequences over and above the financial cost of what has been stolen. Heritage crime comes in many forms. Mark Harrison, national policing and crime adviser for Historic England, said: "The impact of theft on our historic sites and buildings has far-reaching consequences over and above the financial cost of what has been stolen. Heritage crime comes in many forms.
"When thieves steal metal from heritage assets, such as listed churches, artefacts from the ground or historic stonework from an ancient castle, they are stealing from all of us and damaging something which is often irreplaceable.""When thieves steal metal from heritage assets, such as listed churches, artefacts from the ground or historic stonework from an ancient castle, they are stealing from all of us and damaging something which is often irreplaceable."
If the items stolen were of "substantial value" to the victim - besides the financial value of stolen items - then the thief could now receive a harsher penalty.
This could include the theft of a mobile phone containing photographs or messages of great sentimental value, or a laptop containing an important piece of work like a PhD, the Sentencing Council said.
A spokesman said: "Smartphones can contain a huge amount of personal data, such as photos and messages which can be of great value to their owner even if they do not have financial worth.
"Theft of a smartphone can also cause great inconvenience to the owner if they lose all their contacts or other essential data or work."
'More than financial loss'
Jill Gramann, Sentencing Council member and magistrate, said: "The new guidelines will help judges and magistrates deal with this great variety of offences while ensuring that the harm caused to the victim is central to the sentencing decision.
"Thefts are committed for financial gain but can mean much more than financial loss to the victim and we want to ensure sentences take this into account."
Other factors making an offence more serious include thefts that risk causing personal harm, such as stealing electrical cables.Other factors making an offence more serious include thefts that risk causing personal harm, such as stealing electrical cables.
The new guidelines will apply to all kinds of theft offences, such as shop theft, pickpocketing, handling stolen goods and stealing by employees.The new guidelines will apply to all kinds of theft offences, such as shop theft, pickpocketing, handling stolen goods and stealing by employees.
And the courts will also have specific guidance for the first time for common offences such as theft of a motor vehicle or bicycle.And the courts will also have specific guidance for the first time for common offences such as theft of a motor vehicle or bicycle.
Jill Gramann, Sentencing Council member and magistrate, said: "The new guidelines will help judges and magistrates deal with this great variety of offences while ensuring that the harm caused to the victim is central to the sentencing decision.
"Thefts are committed for financial gain but can mean much more than financial loss to the victim and we want to ensure sentences take this into account."