THIEVES who deface war memorials and other important parts of the nation's heritage face tougher sentences under new rules.

It is the first time that offences involving historic objects being stolen have been specifically recognised as "more serious" by the Sentencing Council.

The guidelines say this includes damage to war memorials when thieves steal metal plaques, or even theft of objects from a historic shipwreck.

Mark Harrison, national policing and crime adviser for Historic England, said: "The value of England's heritage can't be judged in pounds and pence.

"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."

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