Boy, 16, Arrested After Felling of Famous U.K. Tree That Appeared in '“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'”

The tree, known as the Sycamore Gap tree, appeared in the 1991 movie 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after the felling of a famous sycamore tree in England that appeared in the 1991 movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Northumbria Police confirmed on Thursday that they had arrested a male teen after the Sycamore Gap tree near historic Hadrian's Wall, was found chopped down the previous night. Authorities said they believe it was a "deliberate act of vandalism." In photographs of the damage, the tree appeared to be cut near its base as it lay on the grass.

“This afternoon, we've arrested a 16-year-old male in connection with the incident,” the police wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) Thursday. “He remains in police custody at this time and is assisting officers with their enquiries. Given our investigation remains at a very early stage, we are keeping an open mind.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Related: Morgan Freeman on Importance of Highlighting Untold History in '761st Tank Battalion' Doc (Exclusive)

The Sycamore Gap tree had stood as "an important and iconic feature in the landscape for nearly 200 years," National Trust general manager Andrew Poad told the BBC on Thursday.

Along with being seen by thousands of visitors to the 1,900-year-old Roman fortification in northern England, the tree appeared in the 1991 movie Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.

In a press release on their website Thursday, Northumbria Police described the tree as “a world-renowned landmark” and that its “vandalism has caused understandable shock and anger throughout the local community and beyond.”

Related: Why Kevin Coster and Ex Christine Likely Settled Tense Divorce, According to Legal Expert (Exclusive)

“This is an incredibly sad day. The tree was iconic to the North East and enjoyed by so many who live in or who have visited this region," Northumbria Police Superintendent Kevin Waring said, while Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness described her anger at the vandalism.

"I’m devastated that the famous Sycamore is gone. That tree was ours. It was an iconic North East landmark standing tall in our beautiful Northumberland," McGuinness said on Thursday, adding, “I am incandescent that this looks like a deliberate act of vandalism."

In a statement posted on their website Friday, Northumberland National Park revealed that they were “still coming to terms with the loss of the tree.” They added that they were focused on making sure the site was safe, as well as “supporting staff and the community.”

The Park also said in the statement that they are working with the National Trust to come up with plans for the future of the site and the tree.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.