Plunderers unearthing ancient treasures in the UK

Plundered treasure buried by vikings or just forgotten by time is being unearthed all over England by modern-day plunderers using metal detectors.

They're called 'nighthawks' and it's the job of Mark Harrison, Head of Heritage Crime and Policing Advice for Historic England, to stop them. 

We talk about the multi-million dollar treasures that have been found and the heritage that's lost by the illegal trade in artifacts.

Staffordshire Hoard Courtesy Society of Antiquaries of London

Staffordshire Hoard Courtesy Society of Antiquaries of London

Staffordshire Hoard Courtesy Society of Antiquaries of London

Roman coin found by Nighthawkers Courtesy Heritage England

damage by Nighthawker Courtesy Heritage England

Police gathering forensic evidence from a Roman site that has been attacked by illicit metal detectorists.