(1)Section 42 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (c.46) (restrictions on use of metal detectors) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (7), after “an offence under subsection (1) or (3) above” insert “ relating to a protected place situated in England ”.
(3)After that subsection insert—
“(8)In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) or (3) relating to a protected place situated in Wales, it is a defence for the accused to prove that the accused—
(a)had taken all reasonable steps to find out whether the place in which the metal detector was used was a protected place; and
(b)did not know, and had no reason to believe, that the place was a protected place.”