Dyfed-Powys Police
Ancient bluestone stolen from Preseli Hills was found being used as a garden feature 10 miles away
The stones were used to form part of historic monument Stonehenge and someone filmed two men digging one up in west Wales and putting it in their car boot
Christie BannonTrainee Multimedia Journalist
The bluestone taken from the Preseli Hills was of the same type as those used at Stonehenge (Image: Getty / PA)
Police say an ancient bluestone that was stolen from the Preseli Hills was discovered being used as a garden feature 10 miles down the road.
The stolen rock, which is believed to have spiritual and healing powers, and is the same type as that found at ancient English monument, Stonehenge, was taken from Mynachlog-ddu at around 3pm on Sunday, December 29.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police managed to trace the culprits after a witness recorded the theft and captured the registration number of the car used during the incident.
After reviewing CCTV two men could be seen digging the stone up and putting it in the boot of their car.
Additional footage from the witness, which shows the car's registration, allowed officers to trace the suspects' home address in Narberth where a large rock could be seen in the front garden.
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Police seized the stone and it was subsequently returned to a chapel which has taken ownership of it.
Inspector Reuben Palin, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "While we are aware that bluestone is regularly taken from the Preseli area it is not easy to find out who is taking it or where it is going.
"This case was quite unusual in that there was actually a witness to the theft who swiftly started filming while the stone was dug up and put into a car.
"We would like to thank the witness for acting so quickly and for providing us with the evidence we needed to recover the stone."
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Dyfed-Powys Police has reminded the public that it is illegal to remove bluestone from its natural area.
The person responsible admitted they had taken the stone and said they were unaware it was illegal to remove it. They were advised on the law.
"While it might not seem like taking bluestone is causing any harm it is in fact illegal," Inspector Palin added.
"These ancient stones are part of the Mynydd Preseli site of special scientific interest and Preseli special area of conservation and it is a crime to take them.
"In the past we have had people taking bluestone for the spiritual and healing property it is believed to possess and in this case a large stone was taken for decoration purposes.
"We urge visitors to the area to respect the area and not to remove anything for personal or financial gain."
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