Police arrest teen after 'deliberate' felling of famous Robin Hood tree

Authorities in England have arrested a 16-year-old boy after the famous Sycamore Gap, a historical sycamore tree featured in 1991's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, was cut down on Thursday.

Northumbria police said they believe the incident was a "deliberate act of vandalism" in a statement issued on social media, adding that an investigation is ongoing. The 16-year-old boy remains in police custody and "is assisting officers with their enquiries," authorities said. "Given our investigation remains at a very early stage, we are keeping an open mind."

Police is appealing anyone with information to reach out. The Northumberland National Park Authority has also asked the public not to visit the site while they work with partners during the investigation. In a video shared on social media, Tony Gates, chief executive officer of the Northumberland National Park Authority, called the felling an "incredible loss."

Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Sycamore Gap tree, cut down

"Hopefully we'll find a way together of moving ahead and making the Sycamore Gap a special place for all of us and all of those memories we carry from the past," Gates said.

Located next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, the historical sycamore is believed to be about 300 years old. It's also referred to as the Robin Hood tree, as it was featured prominently in Kevin Reynolds' action adventure Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner, Alan Rickman, and Morgan Freeman. The beloved tree was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 in the Woodland Trust's awards.

Warner Bros. 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and the Sycamore Gap tree

North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll condemned the felling on social media. "I can't express how angry I am at the vandalism of the tree at #SycamoreGap," Driscoll wrote. "People have had their ashes scattered there. People have proposed there. I've picnicked there with my wife and kids. It's part of our collective soul. We must bring whoever did this to justice."

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