Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestone

574     0
Teen slammed after filming herself
Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestone

A TikTokker was forced to apologise after she filmed a video showing her appearing to steal a historic cobblestone from outside Canterbury Cathedral.

The American tourist - who goes by the name Arorio Art - claims that after she filmed the vid she put the rock back.

But it was later stolen - and she has since appealed for the perpetrator to return it.

The initial video posted last month shows the social media star removing a loose cobblestone from outside the 1,400-year-old cathedral in Canterbury, Kent - where martyr Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170.

The shot then pans away from the stone to the cathedral's famous Christchurch gate, with crowds milling around nearby.

Sherlock Holmes Museum boss wins fight to evict brother from home in 10-year row eiqrxiqzkiqtdinvSherlock Holmes Museum boss wins fight to evict brother from home in 10-year row
Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestoneThe video shows a loose cobblestone (ario-art/TikTok)
Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestoneThe influencer then pulls it out (ario-art/TikTok)

It received 4.3 million views and was captioned: "Souvenir acquired."

But the user later posted another video where she said she had been contacted by a local who found the stone was stolen after her joke video.

And she begged whoever had taken it to do the right thing and put it back.

She said: "Hey everyone I just want to have a quick talk.

Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestoneThe caption says: "Souvenir acquired" (ario-art/TikTok)
Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestoneShe says she then put it back (ario-art/TikTok)

"I did not pick up that rock. I put that rock back. I picked it up for the purpose of the video; I thought it would be a little bit funny and then I put it back, which I shouldn't have done and I'm sorry for that.

"Some random person went and found my phone number from my Instagram and sent me a picture of the rock that's missing.

"That was not me. I don't know why the rock is gone, but if you have it, please put it back.

"I did not expect that video to get nearly as much attention as it did.

"I definitely didn't think it would put the idea into other people's heads to take the rock.

Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestoneThe video shows tourists milling around outside the cathedral (ario-art/TikTok)
Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestoneThe cobblestones are not protected or listed (ario-art/TikTok)

"Even putting aside that these cobblestones are really really old and have a lot of history behind them....someone's going to have to fill in the hole.

Owners of £2m luxury flats overlooked by Tate Modern win court privacy battleOwners of £2m luxury flats overlooked by Tate Modern win court privacy battle

"They are going to have to take time out of their day to go fill in the hole, so please if you have the cobblestone, put it back."

Posters on her original video actually praised her for taking the artifact.

The stones are not understood to be listed, or historic.

One said: "Thought this was a really cool geocache for a second."

Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestoneArorio later apologised (ario-art/TikTok)
Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestoneShe said despite the stone going missing she didn't take it (ario-art/TikTok)

Another said: "As an Egyptian i think i am owed some 'souvenirs'."

"British cobbles are the ultimate souvenir," one said, while another added: "Put it in a museum in another country and say you're keeping it safe."

One said: "Bro I'm gonna go there and take that rock," while another retorted: "Bro thinks he's the British Museum."

One tagged a pal and said: "We are checking if the stone is there later."

Another said back: "I was there and it's missing."

Teen slammed after filming herself 'stealing' Canterbury Cathedral cobblestoneCanterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England (Getty Images)

But others said the video wasn't so cool.

"Your friend: put it back," one said, while another responded: "Theres no way you just stole a cobblestone."

Another said: "Not stealing from Canterbury."

And one said: "Y'all please do not take home random bricks from Britain!" to which the original poster replied: "I put it back after i filmed the video, I just thought it was funny."

A Kent County Council spokesperson said: "Causing damage to the highway is an offence, with a maximum penalty of £1,000, and costs KCC money to rectify.

"We would urge people not to damage roads or pavements in this way."

Ryan Merrifield

Canterbury Cathedral, TikTok, Museums, British Museum

Read more similar news:

05.02.2023, 18:32 • World
Battle is on to keep Victoria Cross awarded to RAF World War Two hero in UK
08.02.2023, 16:08 • More
Museum turns room into giant 'forest' with plants - and you can stay the night
09.02.2023, 20:32 • World
UK's oldest toy museum to close with enchanting collection fighting for survival
11.02.2023, 17:44 • News
Experts discover 'cures' in bottles used to ward off witches and evil curses
13.02.2023, 13:15 • Crime
Top city museum burglary as 11 high value items stolen during daring heist
16.02.2023, 09:35 • More
GMB studio descends into screaming match as guest shouts 'let me finish'
16.02.2023, 12:10 • Finance
Savvy car-boot shopper discovers his £2 car boot find is worth £30,000
18.02.2023, 22:23 • Investigation
New museum celebrating footie legend David Beckham's life opening in the US
04.01.2023, 11:46 • Politics
British Museum in 'constructive' talks with Greece over return of Elgin Marbles
06.01.2023, 21:13 • Sport
Inside extraordinary museum dedicated to Brazilian football icon Pele