Hertfordshire Constabulary’s fight against heritage crime will be one of the main features on this Sunday’s BBC Countryfile episode.

The programme will see presenter Tom Heap interview the Constabulary’s Chief Constable Andy Bliss - who is also the national policing lead for heritage crime - about this form of offence.

The feature will also cover a heritage crime search warrant which was executed by the Constabulary in September to target the suspected theft of heritage artefacts and munitions.

The operation, which saw hundreds of First and Second World War munitions and artefacts seized from an address in St Albans, was executed by police officers from St Albans Safer Neighbourhood Team, Local Crime Unit and the force’s Rural Operational Support Team in partnership with the Army EOD, English Heritage, Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, East of England Ambulance Service and St Albans City and District Council.

A 48-year-old man from Windmill Avenue was arrested on the day of the warrant on suspicion of theft from heritage and protected sites and firearms offences. He is currently on police bail.

The programme will also feature how the public can get involved in joining schemes like Heritage Watch to help police tackle heritage crime.

Heritage crime is any offence which targets our historic environment - such as famous natural landmarks, cathedrals and ancient battlefields - and cultural property - such as pieces of art, jade and rhino horn. 

In April this year, Hertfordshire Constabulary launched Heritage Watch - a scheme which aims to protect the county’s thousands of historical sites, monuments and artefacts from heritage and cultural property crime.

The Constabulary’s Chief Constable, Andy Bliss said: "Tackling heritage and cultural property crime is something I take an active interest in, not only because I am the national policing lead, but also because I feel it is important to protect Hertfordshire’s historical and cultural assets for future generations.

"People who live close to historical sites and those who have a real interest in our local history tend to frequent the county’s areas of historical interest more often and are therefore likely to notice anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.

"Through joining Heritage Watch, we hope the public will become the ‘eyes and ears’ of these precious sites and artefacts and report anything suspicious to us."

The public can sign up to become members of Heritage Watch via the Constabulary’s web pages: www.herts.police.uk/HeritageWatch.