#25. Nature’s Gift
It takes time to learn about the gifts we receive from Mother Nature, and sadly very few people really understand the importance of preserving these important landmarks.
For instance, not many people knew that these stones were actually a National Trust landmark and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like this anymore.
#24. Preserving Our Past
We’ve always strived to preserve whatever relic of the past we found, but this rock formation that took 320 million years to naturally form was destroyed in a single night by a group of vandals.
Who were they, why they did it and how people reacted after hearing the news? This story has many layers. Here’s what really happened.
#23. The Brimham Rocks
The major tourist spot in North Yorkshire, England is known as the Brimham Rocks. Withstanding millions of years of erosion, they were an iconic location in the UK.
However resolute in their resistance over time, the stoned had no chance against the group of vandals…
#22. The Landmark Seemed Off…
On a Saturday morning, a group of tourists headed towards the Brimham Rocks to see how these rocks looked like.
That’s when one of them realized something was different than what they’d seen in the photos on the Internet. So he took out the phone to check out if it was true, and was left speechless!
#21. It Didn’t Look Right
You see, the man realized something was off about the landmark since it didn’t look like the photos he’s seen online.
As he got closer, it was obvious something terrible happened at the Brimham Rocks!
#20. Calling the Police
As soon as they realized something was off, the group called the police. That’s where things get a little more complicated.
Someone had to be responsible for this, and the officials found out after a lengthy investigation…
#19. Having ‘Fun’?
In an interview with the media, National Trust’s Helen Clarke said this act of vandalism “might have been fun for some people."
"Actually, it is just completely pointless and needless,” she added. You won’t believe how much damage was done to the landmark!
#18. The Ice Age Landmark
Archaeologists say the Brimham Rocks date as far as the ice age. Aside from being very old, they’re also incredibly beautiful, which is why many popular Instagram users chose that spot for a photoshoot.
Whoever wanted to get an incredible landscape in their photo, they would head over to the Yorkshire Moors.
#17. Nature’s Sculpture
According to the resident geologists, the Brimham Rocks were formed around 73000 BC - 10000 BC.
It is believed the continental shift was also part of how the rocks first formed. As soon as the ice age ended and the snow began melting, nature began sculpting the rocks...
#16. Ice Melted, Creating These Stones
The rock formation was slowly sculpted by snow, sleet and storms, until it finally got its final shape.
Unfortunately, though it was resolute in the face of time, it didn’t stand a chance against the hand of man.
#15. Impressing Thousands of Visitors
Thousands of visitors were stunned to see these rocks that looked like a dancing bear and an eagle.
But a group of young tourists had absolutely no respect towards such a historic landmark.
#14. Speechless
It was the beginning of the summer when some young tourists visited the landmark before the sunset.
The next day, another group of tourists would be left speechless when they saw the Brimham Rocks were vandalized. What did the police say?
#13. “A Group of Five Young People”
In an official statement, the North Yorkshire Police explained what they have found out during the investigation…
“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.”
#12. Who Would So Such a Thing?
The popular landmark was part of guides’ tours since it was one of the most popular destination in the country for those that wanted to see the natural beauty in the UK.
But one group didn’t care about the importance of the Brimham Rocks…
#11. Irreplaceable Damage to the Landmark
The police continued their statement, saying that as the rock fell from the crag, it caused damage to the crag face…
Moreover, “the damage this has caused is irreplaceable and it is now in a potentially dangerous condition.”
#10. A Heartbreaking Reality
Looking at the before and after photos, you can see that the beautiful sculpted stone was now gone, destroyed to pieces by some teens.
They had to be taught a lesson! The community and the police wouldn’t let this heinous act go that easily…
#9. A Danger to Others
“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,” said the statement from the North Yorkshire Police.
Then, they found essential evidence that could help them find the vandals!
#8. Someone Had to Face the Consequences!
Probably the teens didn’t think much about their actions and even left behind their names scratched into the ledge close to the rocks they had damaged.
They had to face the consequences, that is if the police would be able to find them…
#7. Closing the Access to the Landmark
The officials chose to close the site so that no debris could fall on the incoming visitors. Moreover, the Police was still carrying on with the investigation.
They were sure those were the deeds of some teens living in the local community. Here’s why…
#6. Searching for ‘Lee’ and ‘Aliyah’
All the police had to do was search for Lee and Aliyah in the nearby community to see if they were the ones responsible for the destruction of a National Trust landmark.
It was only obvious the teens were living nearby since they needed to disappear fast after their deed.
#5. A Public Message
In a public message, the police released the two names they found on the rocks, hoping someone would be able to ID the culprits….
Did it yield any results?
#4. Only Dead Ends
Unfortunately, the police only got to dead ends since the search radius could have been much bigger, and they only knew a couple of names.
The community was disgusted by the teens’ destruction!
#3. Alter Egos?
Probably the teens etched on the rocks their nicknames because there were no Lee or Aliyah in the community living close to the iconic landmark.
Which is why the investigation only met dead ends…
#2. The Investigation Carries On
The police hasn’t found the culprits and the community is still outraged that such a heinous act was done to an iconic landmark.
It’s heartbreaking to see a cherished natural wonder being destroyed like that…
#1. Iconic Landmark Destroyed
Hopefully, the vandals would be taught a lesson if they are ever to be found.
We’re still stunned to see that such a beautiful landmark was destroyed by some teens that had no respect towards such a natural wonder.