A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap Tree.

What is Sycamore Gap Tree?

The tree, next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was made famous when it appeared in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.

Northumbria Police launched an investigation on Thursday after the tree was ‘deliberately felled overnight’, saying it was treating it as an act of vandalism.

Boy, 16 arrested

The force later said a 16-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage. He is in police custody and assisting officers with their inquiries, a spokesperson said.

Superintendent Kevin Waring, of Northumbria Police, said: ‘This is a world-renowned landmark and the events of today have caused significant shock, sadness and anger throughout the local community and beyond.

‘An investigation was immediately launched following this vandalism, and this afternoon we have arrested one suspect in connection with our enquiries.

‘Given our investigation remains at a very early stage, we are keeping an open mind. I am appealing to the public for information to assist us – if you have seen or heard anything suspicious that may be of interest to us, please let us know.

‘Any information – no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be – could prove absolutely crucial to our enquiries.’

What is the symbol of Sycamore Gap Tree?

Thousands of visitors each year walk along Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that guarded the Roman Empire’s northwestern frontier.

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Many have paused to admire and photograph the tree, an icon of the landscape, which was looked after by both Northumberland National Park Authority and the National Trust.

Photographs from the scene on early Thursday showed that the tree was cut down near the base of its trunk, with the rest of it lying on its side.

She posted a picture on Facebook of the felled tree with the caption: ‘An awful moment for all walking Hadrians wall the Sycamore Gap tree has gone! Not the storm an absolute ******* felled it!!’

She added she was ‘tearful’ when she discovered the tree had been cut down.

The news was met with dismay and outrage by walkers’ groups on social media.

One Facebook user said: ‘I was sat crocheting at the top of the hill earlier this year while my husband and son were climbing up the rock face next to the tree.

‘This is absolutely devastating news. It’s such a magical and magnificent place and tree. I can’t believe someone would deliberately chop this tree down.’

Another wrote on the national park authority’s Facebook page: ‘This is terrible news. I visit the tree regularly with my son. I wonder if a tree sculptor could turn the felled tree into something to remember it in its place.’