CONCERNS have been raised following the recent discovery of damage from illegal metal detecting on Hadrian’s Wall.

Unlawful excavations on National Trust land at Steel Rigg and Peel Crags have been carried out and authorities fear some of the North-East’s Roman heritage could be lost.

Police, English Heritage, National Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority, are also worried about the impact that this activity, sometimes known as ‘nighthawking’, is having on the archaeology of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.

Mike Collins, inspector of ancient monuments for the North-East at English Heritage, said: "This illegal use of a metal detector to remove historic objects and artefacts from their original archaeological context and robs us all of the information and understanding of our past."

The 73 mile wall was built over a six year period from AD122 as a defensive line to protect the Roman Empire from invading tribes and runs from Wallsend, near Newcastle to the shore of the Solway Firth on the west coast.

Eric Wilton, National Trust countryside manager for Hadrian’s Wall Country Group said: “It is disappointing at a time when archaeologists and legitimate metal detectorists are working together more closely that this incident has occurred.

“The National Trust wants the public to enjoy its many and varied sites, such as these at Steel Rigg and Pele Gap, but cannot tolerate illegal metal detecting that harms the appreciation of our collective heritage.”

Both sites are in Northumberland National Park and are legally protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

Chris Jones, the historic environment officer for Northumberland National Park said: “The illegal removal of archaeological material is a serious offence. “Such criminality has a damaging effect on people’s ability to understand and enjoy the cultural heritage of the National Park.

“As a result Northumberland National Park is committed to working with our partners to tackle this problem and has decided to sign up to a memorandum of understanding on heritage crime with English Heritage, the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.”

It is a criminal offence to use a metal detecting equipment without proper authorisation from English Heritage.

Inspector Kevin Oates, of Northumbria Police, said: “Because of the harm that nighthawking causes to our heritage, Northumbria Police are committed to investigating these issues. Any perpetrators can be expect to be prosecuted.”

Anyone with any information about unlawful metal detecting should call the police non-emergency contact number 101, quoting incident number 418, 12/11/14.