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| Peak District: Arrests after theft of rare mineral Blue John | |
| (3 months later) | |
| Police said theft of the rare fluorite harmed "the natural environment of the site" | Police said theft of the rare fluorite harmed "the natural environment of the site" |
| Two men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing an estimated 60kg (132lb) of a rare semi-precious mineral in the Peak District. | Two men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing an estimated 60kg (132lb) of a rare semi-precious mineral in the Peak District. |
| Police said a large quantity of Blue John was recovered from an address in Greater Manchester on Tuesday night following a report of theft in Castleton, Derbyshire, on 13 October. | Police said a large quantity of Blue John was recovered from an address in Greater Manchester on Tuesday night following a report of theft in Castleton, Derbyshire, on 13 October. |
| The county's rural crime team said the mineral was unique to the area and not found anywhere else in the world. | The county's rural crime team said the mineral was unique to the area and not found anywhere else in the world. |
| The two men were separately detained in Bury and Oldham on suspicion of theft and have been released pending further investigation, the team said. | The two men were separately detained in Bury and Oldham on suspicion of theft and have been released pending further investigation, the team said. |
| Heritage harm fears | Heritage harm fears |
| Blue John is only found beneath Treak Cliff Hill, near Castleton, and gets its name from its distinctive colour. | Blue John is only found beneath Treak Cliff Hill, near Castleton, and gets its name from its distinctive colour. |
| It is now only mined in two caverns - Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern. | |
| The stone was fashionable during the Regency period in the early 1800s and is displayed at Buckingham Palace and Chatsworth House. | The stone was fashionable during the Regency period in the early 1800s and is displayed at Buckingham Palace and Chatsworth House. |
| Officers said: "The site is Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) protected and quarrying of Blue John is strictly controlled. | Officers said: "The site is Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) protected and quarrying of Blue John is strictly controlled. |
| "Theft of this rare fluorite not only harms the natural environment of the site and local economy, but it also harms the site's heritage. | "Theft of this rare fluorite not only harms the natural environment of the site and local economy, but it also harms the site's heritage. |
| "It is sometimes said that Blue John was first discovered by the Romans." | "It is sometimes said that Blue John was first discovered by the Romans." |
| Police added the items would be assessed by an expert to determine their value. | Police added the items would be assessed by an expert to determine their value. |
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