Selfish off-roaders with chainsaw churn up ancient Yorkshire forest
An investigation has been launched after illegal off-roaders used a chainsaw the get into an ancient protected forest for a second time.
Wykeham Forest near Hackness, near Scarborough, has been severely damaged by repeated illegal off-roading, according to archaeologists from the North York Moors National Park Authority. The important historical archaeologist site dates back to the Iron Age around 2,500 years ago and has a rectangle enclosure containing well-preserved earthwork features.
The damage, which includes severe rutting, churn-up and disturbance to the ground, has been caused by four-wheel drive vehicles repeatedly travelling over the earth banks and ditches during wet weather. Sadly, one of the historic banks has been eroded down to the rubble core.
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A concerned member of the Scarborough Archaeological Society reported the damage in late 2024, prompting a site visit by the National Park Authority and Forestry England. Barricades were put up to stop it happening again but they returned with a chainsaw and managed to break their way in.
Miles Johnson, head of Historic Environment at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: "The severity of the damage is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of archaeological sites to this kind of criminal behaviour. It’s astonishing that those who have caused this very obvious harm to the landscape have not only returned but gone to some lengths to regain access to a clearly blocked site.
"This is not ignorance but a blatant disregard for the law.”
Illegal off-roading is any activity which involves driving a motor vehicle off a designated road without permission from the landowner.
Driving a vehicle, including a car, quad bike or motorcycle, off-road without permission of the landowner is an offence. Damage to a Scheduled Monument is also a criminal offence under Section 28 of the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas act.
Mr Johnson continued: "We hope this incident can spark greater community awareness and understanding of the need to protect our shared heritage from illegal and antisocial behaviour.”
Katie Thorn, Historic Environment Advisor at Forestry England, added: “We manage over 200 scheduled monuments on Forestry England land in Yorkshire. Illegal off roading is detrimental to the management of these important sites.
"Working closely with North York Moors National Park Authority and Historic England we are aiming to repair the site to ensure it survives for future generations.”
PC Jamie Manson of North Yorkshire Police said: "Our area is home to countless historically-important sites, and we should do everything we can to preserve them for future generations.
"Repairing the damage caused to heritage sites by criminal activity is expensive - and the cost to local communities could be immeasurable.
"We regularly patrol these sites to ensure they are protected. I would also urge anyone who lives or works nearby to help us - report any suspicious activity to the police by dialling 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress."
Anyone with information regarding the Wykeham Forest incident should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and reference crime number 12240220658.
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Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the damage was caused by bikers.