Detectives with Kent Police have been benefiting from their own antiques roadshow after enlisting the help of two archaeologists to help fight crime.

The Force has had the assistance of experts Dr Andrew Richardson and Michele Johnson, who have been on hand to assist with investigating the theft of valuable historic artefacts.

The contribution of the pair was recognised with a Highly Commended certificate at the Special Constable and Police Support Volunteer Awards in London.

In an interview with PoliceOracle.com, Dr Richardson said that he had initially offered his services to detectives amid concerns that a minority of people were using their metal detectors to unearth and steal valuable historic items.

He assisted officers in building up a base of archaeological knowledge and was also deployed to identify artefacts when search warrants were executed.

Dr Richardson's work was not just confined to land based operations – he also helped the police deal with thefts from shipwrecks around the coastline.

He was later joined by Ms Johnson who, having studied for a Masters degree in Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation, added to the knowledge base.

Among their success stories have been the recovery of a Bronze Age hoard, the retrieval of a cannon estimated to be work around £50,000 and the prosecution of an offender for vandalising a Victorian bridge.

They also assisted in Sussex, where they were able to offer police help with interviewing a man suspected of using his metal detector to steal historic items.

Dr Richardson said: "This type of crime is pure and simply criminal. It is crime with the additional feature of eroding a national heritage that is so important to this country.

"Some of the objects that have been recovered are extremely valuable – you can be talking hundreds of thousands of pounds, which is why this is an ongoing problem."

However, Dr Richardson stressed the overwhelming majority of the metal detectorist community were law abiding and made a huge contribution to archaeology.

Officers had strong praise for the work of the duo. Ch Supt Neil Jerome, Head of Volunteers and Specials for Kent Police, said their contribution was highly prized.

Ch Supt Jerome emphasised: "They give so much of their own time to help us protect our heritage for this generation and the generations to come.

"Let us not forget that the individuals who carry out the types of crime that they help us investigate are often highly organised and benefit greatly from their criminal activities."

Pictured left to right are Catherine Mulholland, Kent Police Volunteer Co-ordinator, Ms Johnson, Dr Richardson and Ch Supt Jerome