MORE historic buildings were hit by crimes ranging from vandalism to metal theft in the North of England than in the rest of the country last year, English Heritage has said.

The first comprehensive survey of the impact of crime on England’s historic buildings and sites found that the North had the highest ‘heritage’ crime rate of 20.3 per cent.

The national rate was 17.9 per cent and the lowest rate was 14.1 per cent in London.

Metal theft from heritage assets is also greatest in the North.