A 320 million-year-old balancing rock formation was destroyed by a group of young people An iconic rock formation dating back to the Ice Age has been toppled by a group of youths. The 320 […]

An iconic rock formation dating back to the Ice Age has been toppled by a group of youths.

The 320 million-year-old stone landmark, found on Brimham Moor in north Yorkshire, was vandalised by five youngsters in what has been called an act of ‘mindless destruction’.

It was one in a series of balancing sandstone formations known as the Brimham Rocks, which attract thousands of visitors every year.

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‘Mindless destruction’

But yesterday police confirmed one of the groupings had been pushed off a crag at the National Trust-owned tourist spot at Summerbridge, near Harrogate.

The National Trust said: “We’re incredibly frustrated and saddened that damage has been caused to one of the rocks at Brimham.

“…incredibly frustrated and saddened”

“This was a deliberate act of vandalism, which cannot be repaired.

“The area around the rocks has been temporarily closed off whilst we conduct surveys to the wider rock formation to ensure its safety and stability.

“The main site remains open to visitors as usual.”

Five young people were spotted toppling the ancient rock formation on Friday June 1. It was formed after being eroded by water, glaciation, and wind, and had been a feature of the Brimham Moors since the Ice Age.

Also known as Millstone Grit, it was one of many historic rocks on the crag. Others are known as the Sphinx, the Watchdog, the Camel, the Turtle, and the Dancing Bear.

The rock, pre-toppling

A North Yorkshire Police statement said: “At around 8.45pm on Friday, 1 June 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.

“If you have any information about the identity of those responsible please contact officers on 101, choosing option 2 and quote reference 12180097959. ‘Alternatively email bill.hickson@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.”