This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/wiltshire/7414491.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Vandals in attack at Stonehenge Vandals in attack at Stonehenge
(about 2 hours later)
Suspected souvenir hunters broke into Stonehenge and vandalised the ancient monument, English Heritage has said.Suspected souvenir hunters broke into Stonehenge and vandalised the ancient monument, English Heritage has said.
A hammer and screwdriver were used to take a small chip the size of a 10p piece from the side of the Heel Stone.A hammer and screwdriver were used to take a small chip the size of a 10p piece from the side of the Heel Stone.
English Heritage said further damage was prevented by security guards who spotted the two men at the 5,000-year-old site in Wiltshire.English Heritage said further damage was prevented by security guards who spotted the two men at the 5,000-year-old site in Wiltshire.
Police believe the vandals could be the same two people caught on CCTV acting suspiciously a few days earlier.Police believe the vandals could be the same two people caught on CCTV acting suspiciously a few days earlier.
English Heritage said souvenir hunting was once a legitimate practice and chisels used to be handed out to people visiting the stones.English Heritage said souvenir hunting was once a legitimate practice and chisels used to be handed out to people visiting the stones.
We would be interested in anyone who may have taken photographs of this incident Wiltshire Police
The recent act of vandalism which happened on the evening of 15 May at about 2200 BST is thought to be the first attack on the site for many years.The recent act of vandalism which happened on the evening of 15 May at about 2200 BST is thought to be the first attack on the site for many years.
Police said the men managed to escape by jumping over the fence and driving off in a red Rover 400 with plastic sheeting covering the driver's side window. A spokesman from Wiltshire Police said, "Damaging an ancient monument is a serious offence and we take this type of damage extremely seriously. We are determined to identify the offenders and bring them to justice.
"As this is a tourist area we would also be interested in anyone who may have taken photographs of this incident."
Archaeologists are currently excavating the World Heritage Site to discover more about its origins. The last time an excavation was allowed inside the stone circle was in 1964.Archaeologists are currently excavating the World Heritage Site to discover more about its origins. The last time an excavation was allowed inside the stone circle was in 1964.
The current dig is a major research excavation to investigate the bluestones. These smaller stones made up part of the prehistoric monument alongside the sarsen stones.The current dig is a major research excavation to investigate the bluestones. These smaller stones made up part of the prehistoric monument alongside the sarsen stones.
Stonehenge has remained open as normal and visitors will be able to observe up close the excavation as it happens on plasma screens inside a special marquee.Stonehenge has remained open as normal and visitors will be able to observe up close the excavation as it happens on plasma screens inside a special marquee.