Specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical, has announced its support for tougher sentencing of vandals of heritage buildings.
Vandals who damage buildings of historic importance including listed buildings and historically important objects, could face tougher sentences by judges and magistrates in England and Wales, according to new guidelines published by the Sentencing Council.
The new guidelines will come into force from October 1st 2019 and enable judges to have more discretion to punish offenders.
Faith Kitchen, heritage director at Ecclesiastical commented:
“As the leading insurer of Grade I listed buildings in the UK, we’re passionate about protecting Britain’s heritage. Criminal damage and arson to heritage buildings can have devastating consequences. A major fire can take many years to repair and impacts not only our customers who live or work from these important buildings, but all of the wider community. We welcome tougher sentencing of vandals of heritage buildings and support the new guidelines published by the Sentencing Guidelines Council, which take into account the impact on the wider community, and not just the financial cost of the crime.”
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