Vandals cause ‘considerable damage’ at popular beauty spot in Yorkshire

NORTH YORKSHIRE Police is working with the National Trust to investigate “considerable damage” caused by vandals at Brimham Rocks.

The force yesterday issued an appeal for information as it revealed a group of young people had been seen pushing a rock at the top of one of the beauty spot’s famous formations.

A police spokesman said the actions of vandals last Friday had caused “irreplaceable” damage as well a potential hazard for other visitors to the site.

He said: “A group of five young people were seen pushing a rock at the top of one of the crags. This resulted in the rock falling from the crag causing damage to the crag face.

“The damage this has caused is irreplaceable and it is now in a potentially dangerous condition.

“The incident has not only caused considerable damage to both the rock and the crag face, but those responsible also put themselves in danger and have created a potential hazard for other visitors to Brimham Rocks.”

The group were said to have been seen pushing the rock at about 8.45pm on Friday, June 1.

Last month, fire crews from across the district were called to battle a blaze at the beauty spot, although there has been no suggestion the incidents are linked.

The National Trust site counts walkers, scientists and climbers among the quarter of a million people who visit each year.

It features dozens of rock formations including the Dancing Bear, the Idol and Druid’s Writing Desk spread across 400 acres.