Dolmen watch! Historic sites to get their own security

Friday 22 January 2021

Some of Jersey's most important historic sites are set to get their own 24-hour security after being vandalised last year.

G4S has offered to keep an eye over local dolmens for free after two sites suffered attacks - one of which was an apparent attempt to extract valuable quartz crystals.

Malicious damage was discovered at the ancient dolmen of Faldouet last October by members of the Archaeology Section of the Société Jersiaise just a few days before newly drawn graffiti was found on the stones at Mont Grantez.

The sites, along with most other dolmen sites in the island, are owned by the Société Jersiaise which maintain them at its own expense, and leaves them open for the public to enjoy.   

The Société said they had been horrified by the vandalism of the dolmen at Faldouet, as well as the digging that took place at Le Couperon. Following those incidents, security company G4S contacted the Société to offered their services for free.

Pictured: The dolmen at Faldouet was drilled into, in an apparent attempt to extract quartz crystals.

"Société Jersiaise carry out very important work in preserving our history and historic sites for future generations," Michael Bates of G4S said. "At G4S we were shocked when we heard about the vandalism at the Faldouet site and we wanted to do what we could to assist in preserving these ancient monuments without creating a financial burden on the Société.

"G4S are proud to be able to help secure these sites to ensure they remain accessible to the public, now and in the future.”

The sites will be patrolled 24/7 at different times of the day.  The company will be putting up signs to remind the public of their continued presence.

Any irregularities will be reported back to head office, and if necessary escalated to the emergency services. 

"We can’t thank G4S enough for this very kind and generous offer," Nicky Westwood, President of the Société, said. "We hope this will be the end of a flagrant disregard for the integrity and historical importance of these sites.

"Any provenance lost now is lost to the generations to come. These sites are our heritage, and are there for everyone to enjoy."