Getting outdoors and searching for undiscovered artefacts on the Thames foreshore has never been so popular.
The rising level of interest is starting to
put important historical artefacts at risk

So, with the Museum of London and
other archaeological bodies, we are emphasising the importance of being properly licensed and prepared, before pulling on your boots and heading down
to the foreshore.

In simple terms, anyone wishing to
search the foreshore, in any way or for
any reason, including metal detectorists,

digging and scraping, must hold a
current PLA foreshore permit. Kate Sumnall is Finds Liaison Officer at the Museum of London. The Portable Antiquities Scheme encourages the voluntary recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public. She said: “The PLA’s decision to make rules on foreshore searching and permits clearer helps protect both significant finds and the people looking for them.

“Items of historical importance must be recorded so that the information

is able to contribute to our understanding of London’s past. It’s important that anyone looking for them has a valid permit and, if in doubt, they get in touch to ask for help.”

Once you’ve got your permit, it’s very important to ensure you are properly prepared for a visit to the tidal Thames foreshore and well aware of the hazards you can
face there.

Wildlife presenter Steve Backshall and Olympic rower wife Helen
Glover have raised thousands
for charity – after completing
the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster race.

The kayaking pair finished the historic race, Wiltshire to Westminster Bridge, over the Easter weekend – with the final
17-mile section on the tidal Thames.

It was Steve’s third time doing the race, but his first with double gold medallist wife Helen.

They were doing the race to raise money for a charity that aims to protect rainforests in Borneo.

The report will be emailed to thousands
of river users and stakeholders, and it’s hoped it’ll help make operators and
users more aware.

PLA SMS manager Jon Beckett said:
“The quarterly report is very important as
it gives the public a good understanding
of incidents on the river and ensures
we are recording and investigating incidents in a transparent way.”

The just published first report identified a new campaign that’s due to be launched by us related to human error, which is often at the root of safety incidents.

A dedicated website and further information about the campaign are planned.

A regular report about safety incidents on London’s river
– and ways to avoid them in
future – is now available to the public. Our quarterly update of
the Marine Safety Management System (SMS) performance and incident statistics include important facts and figures
– as well as information on noted trends and investigations.