Mystery of the black holes at Whitby Abbey

But now Whitby Abbey is being targeted by a sinister new night time intruder determined to steal the history from its hallowed ground before dawn.

The so called “nighthawker” has been digging holes all over the historic site of the Abbey – apparently desperately searching for a mystery treasure.

English Heritage have been horrified and baffled by the spate of attacks – the first to take place on the grade one listed site, which dates from 664AD.

Security is being stepped up and police with tracker dogs are being called in to patrol the grounds at night.

English Heritage has drawn up a map of the holes but has so far been unable to identify a pattern.

Low level metal or heritage thefts have been ruled out since the thief apparently unearthed a 17th century door hinge and threw it away in frustration.

Officials are teaming up with North Yorkshire Police to catch the culprit who is making apparently random sweeps of the abbey with a metal detector. When he picks up a signal he digs a hole with a shovel.

The attacks began on the night of Saturday March 2.

Staff arrived on Sunday to find the site had been broken into and five separate areas of the grounds dug up. Since March, 14 holes have been dug across the site while the property is closed at night.

English Heritage communications manager Ellen Harrison said: “This activity is illegal and is causing damage to one of Yorkshire’s most important historic sites. Whitby Abbey has been the subject of numerous archaeological digs over the years and there is nothing to suggest there are further remains to be discovered on the site.”

There seemed to be no pattern to the attacks with turf being dug up all over the place, including footpaths used by disabled visitors.

Staff have been trying to fill them in before anyone is injured.

English Heritage’s Yorkshire area manager Clea Warner said: “This illegal activity is deeply disheartening. Whitby Abbey is a precious historic place and people who choose to damage it are robbing everyone of our collective heritage.

“While it is extremely unlikely anything significant remains in the ground, if these people have found something and not declared it they are denying us all further knowledge of Whitby.”

The abbey is one of the highest profile sites to be targeted for Illicit metal detecting, known as “nighthawking”.

Unlike bona fide metal detectors, those involved do not follow good practice guidelines, or record and report their finds for the benefit of our shared heritage.

English Heritage’s national policing and crime adviser Mark Harrison said: “The practice of illegal metal detecting and stealing artefacts from the ground is an issue that English Heritage takes very seriously.

“These are not people enjoying a hobby, nor professionals carrying out a careful study. Any objects removed belong to the landowner, and the history that is being stolen belongs to all of us. English Heritage will continue to work closely with North Yorkshire Police and the community to prevent heritage crime and to bring offenders to justice.”

Pc Melanie Smith, of Whitby’s safer neighbourhood team, said: “Whitby Abbey is a historic property and it is beyond comprehension what anyone has to gain by damaging our heritage.

“Nor is it acceptable for anyone to enter the property and dig up the grounds for whatever purpose. Anyone who has any information is urged to contact the police without delay.”

EH steward Josh Turner said: “We found a 17th century door hinge which he had dug up and just left next to one of the holes. So whatever he is after must be pretty valuable potentially – and incredibly valuable to the history of the whole site.”