In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the local community and beyond, a 16-year-old boy has been arrested after one of the country’s most famous trees was deliberately cut down. The beloved tree, located at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian’s Wall, gained worldwide recognition for its appearance in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves,” starring Kevin Costner.

The 16-year-old suspect is currently in police custody as investigators work to determine the motive behind this act of vandalism that has left both locals and fans of the historic landmark devastated.

Superintendent Kevin Waring of Northumbria Police expressed the collective sentiment of the community, stating, “This is a world-renowned landmark, and the events of today have caused significant shock, sadness, and anger throughout the local community and beyond.”

The tree’s significance extended far beyond its cinematic fame. It was voted as the English Tree of the Year in 2016 by the Woodland Trust, further solidifying its status as an iconic natural landmark.

The Northumberland National Park Authority confirmed the loss of the tree, stating, “[We] can confirm that sadly, the famous tree at Sycamore Gap has come down overnight. We are working with the relevant agencies and partners with an interest in this iconic North East landmark and will issue more details once they are known.”

The National Trust, which owns the land where the tree stood, expressed its shock and sadness over the incident. The organisation called for patience from the public and urged people to refrain from visiting the site near Crag Lough during the ongoing investigation and cleanup efforts.