New research commissioned by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical has revealed heritage organisations are a prime target for vandals as a third (32%) were defaced by graffiti during the past 12 months, up 9% on the previous year, presenting an opportunity for brokers to advise their clients. The survey of 500 heritage decision makers found a third (32%) suffered anti-social behaviour, up 3%, and three in 10 (30%) reported experiencing verbal abuse towards staff and volunteers from visitors, up 4%.
In April, vandals spray-painted graffiti on walls, flagstone floors, and a historic fountain in Linlithgow Palace in Scotland. Overall, nine in 10 (90%) heritage organisations have experienced crime during the past 12 months, down slightly by 1% on the previous year. Crime is a top concern for heritage organisations, six in 10 (57%) are expecting an increase in crime over the next year, and seven in 10 (69%) are more concerned about crime than ever before.
GROWING TENSIONS OVER MIDDLE EAST
Heritage building vandalism isn’t a new thing of course. Back in 2021 Premier Christian News reported that some 4000 incidents were reported in church or heritage site grounds, from rapes to arson. Back in 2019 the Guardian reported that a church in East London had alleged “satanic” symbols painted on it and set on fire, although the local Police didn’t seem to buy into that motive.
However, the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East seems to be prompting some vandals and Hamas supporters to spray anti-semitic graffiti onto buildings, plus damage modern retail premises such as Zara or McDonalds. In a chilling echo of the hate fuelled rise to power of 1930s Nazi Party in Germany, the Star of David is being applied to buildings, including religious ones. One incident was reported in Southampton where the swastika and other graffiti was daubed near a baptist church. In October 2023 a jewish restaurant was attacked in London and according to the CST website some 89 anti-semitic incidents were reported in London just a few days after the Hamas attack upon Israel in October 2023.
These are serious risks for the managers of heritage buildings and modern commercial premises alike.
PREVENTING INCIDENTS
The majority (95%) of heritage organisations are taking proactive steps to prevent crime. The top security investments made during the past 12 months were CCTV (58%), security guards and patrols (47%), and alarms (44%).
However, the research discovered heritage organisations are reviewing their crime and security risks less frequently, and two thirds (68%) believe their organisation needs to do more to prevent crime.
Faith Kitchen, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said:
“As the UK’s leading insurer of Grade I listed buildings, we’re passionate about protecting Britain’s heritage. Our research shows heritage organisations are a prime target for criminals and it is concerning to see that graffiti and anti-social behaviour has increased. Brokers play an important role in helping heritage clients understand the risks they are facing and in ensuring they have the right cover in place. 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. For more information visit www.ecclesiastical.com/riskmanagement
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