Illegal off-roaders damage prehistoric site

A prehistoric settlement dating back thousands of years has been damaged by repeated incidents of illegal off-roading.

Archaeologists from the North York Moors National Park Authority said the area in Wykeham Forest had suffered "severe rutting, churn-up and disturbance to the ground".

The authority added measures had been taken to prevent further vehicle access after the intrusion was first reported late last year, but its barricades had been removed and further damage was caused.

Head of historic environment Miles Johnson said: "It's astonishing that those who caused this harm have returned and gone to lengths to regain access to a clearly blocked site. This is a blatant disregard for the law."

The rectangular enclosure near Hackness, which is thought to date back to the Iron Age, contains "well-preserved features providing a fascinating glimpse into how people lived, farmed and defended their communities," according to the authority.

"Sadly, one of the historic banks has been eroded down to the rubble core," it added.

"The damage was caused by four-wheel drive vehicles repeatedly travelling over the earth banks and ditches of the monument during or just after wet weather."

The woodland is managed by Forestry England, whose historic environment adviser Katie Thorn said: "Illegal off-roading is detrimental to important sites and we are aiming to repair the site to ensure it survives for future generations."

PC Jamie Manson from North Yorkshire Police, which is investigating the vandalism, said: "We should do everything we can to preserve our area's countless historically important sites, and I would urge anyone who lives or works nearby to report any suspicious activity to the police."

The National Park Authority also issued a reminder that driving a vehicle off-road without the landowner's permission was a criminal offence, as was damaging a scheduled monument.

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