Rocks that started being formed 320,000,000 years ago have been vandalised (Picture: SWNS)

An ‘irreplaceable’ iconic stone landmark left on the stunning York Moors after the last Ice Age has been vandalised by youths in an act of ‘mindless destruction.’

A series of large, balancing sandstone rocks known as Brimham Rock litter the Moors and attract thousands of visitors every year.

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However one of the balancing stone has been toppled from its perch by a group of youths.

Five youths were spotted pushing the rock off the crag at the National Trust owned tourist spot at Summerbridge, North Yorkshire, on Friday June 1.


The rocks – also known as Millstone Grit – were formed after being eroded by water, glaciation and wind.

The rock as it used to be before vandals toppled it over the edge (Picture: SWNS)

A group of youths were spotted pushing the ricks in an act of mindless destruction (Picture: SWNS)

Their actions have spoiled the attraction for many people who visit the rocks every year (Picture: SWNS)

The rocks were formed when water, grit and sand washed from Scotland and Norway to create Yorkshire (Picture: SWNS)

Many of the formations have been named for visitors to spot including the Sphinx, the Watchdog, the Camel, the Turtle and the Dancing Bear.



Helen Clarke, from the National Trust, said: ‘It might have been fun for some people.

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‘Actually, it is just completely pointless and needless.’

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.

Names have were found scratched into the rock close to where the vandalism took place (Picture: SWNS)

It is not known if the people whose names were scratched onto the stones were involved in the vandalism (Picture: SWNS)

Police said that five people were spotted pushing the rocks over on Friday night (Picture: SWNS)

‘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.’

The area around the vandalism has been closed off (Picture: SWNS)

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