POLICE are stepping up patrols and asking for the public’s help to protect Ryedale’s rich heritage.

Heritage crime is any offence involving damage or loss to the historic environment, such as buildings, monuments, sites and landscapes.

BBC One’s Crimewatch Roadshow recently featured lead theft from St Lawrence’s Church in Kirby Misperton. The damage will cost more than £60,000 to put right – far more than the value of the stolen lead.

Inspector Matt Hagen, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “We all need to work together to protect these sites, so that future generations can continue to enjoy them for many years to come. This can be achieved by increasing awareness of the heritage assets in our community, supporting rural watch schemes, and encouraging members of the public to report incidents around heritage sites.”

People are asked to help the police combat heritage crime by phoning 101 or, if a crime is in progress, 999.