THREE men have been arrested on suspicion of nighthawking in Amesbury.

They were caught this morning (Saturday, October 21) along Countess Road.

After initially running away from police, they were detained along the A303 near to Countess service station. 

Nighthawking is using metal detectors to find and remove antiquities on prohibited land such as Scheduled Monuments.

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In a Facebook post, Amesbury Police said: “Three males are currently in Swindon custody on suspicion of nighthawking and going equipped to steal.

“During the early hours of this morning (21/10/2023), officers from CPT Team 2 and CPT Team 3, were tasked to an incident where nighthawking had been seen along Countess Road in Amesbury. Three males ran away from police upon sight, and a short while later were detained and arrested along the A303 near to Countess service station. 

“A number of items were located with the males including suspected historical artifacts, metal detectors and metal detecting equipment, all of which has been seized. 

“Nighthawking is the illegal search for, and removal of antiquities from the ground using metal detectors, without the permission of the landowners, or on prohibited land such as Scheduled Monuments. Nighthawking is therefore theft and a rural crime in which Wiltshire Police are committed to bringing those who commit this crime, to justice.”