THE grounds of one of North Yorkshire’s ancient ruins have been damaged in a series of incidents thought to be the work of illegal metal detectorists.

In three separate incidents some 14 holes have been dug across the site of Whitby Abbey – a Grade 1-listed ruin – since March this year.

The holes were dug during the night, when the property is closed, and are believed to be the result of illegal metal detecting – known as nighgthawking.

English Heritage described the incident as “very disheartening” and pointed out that after numerous archeological digs on the site there was nothing left to be discovered.

Their area manager, Clea Warner, said: “Whitby Abbey is a precious historic place and people who choose to damage it are robbing everyone of our collective heritage.

“While it is extremely unlikely anything significant remains in the ground, if these people have found something and not declared it they are denying us all further knowledge of Whitby.”

Nigthawking is regarded as a form of theft and has nothing to do with responsible metal detectorists who follow good practice guidelines, record and report their finds.

English Heritage’s crime advisor Mark Harrison said: “These are not people enjoying a hobby, nor professionals carrying out a careful study. Any objects removed belong to the landowner, and the history that is being stolen belongs to all of us.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire police on 101.