Whitby Abbey grounds damaged by illegal metal detecting

Damage has been caused to the grounds of the historic Whitby Abbey by illegal metal detecting.

Since March, 14 holes have been dug across the Grade I-listed site while the property is closed at night.

English Heritage and police believe it is the result of illegal metal detecting, known as nighthawking.

Heritage chiefs said it was extremely unlikely anything significant remained in the ground and the activity was being taken "very seriously".

The abbey, which was the backdrop to the opening of Bram Stoker's Dracula, dates from AD664 and has been the subject of numerous archaeological digs over the years.

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