Fossil hunters damage West Mainland SSSI

Police investigations are under way after fossil hunters targeted an area of rock at Yesnaby, Sandwick.

According to a police spokesman, the damage was caused to an area where 400 million year old Stromatolite fossils are found and it is though that rock containing fossils has been removed and taken away. The incident is thought to have occurred some time in June.

The site is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2004, which means it is an offence to intentionally, or recklessly, damage the site.

Police would urge anyone with information, or who witnesses people acting suspiciously around any SSSI in the county, to contact them via 101.