‘Saddened and frustrated’: Peterborough Cathedral hit with £1k bill after vandals damage 900-year-old Norman Arch

Peterborough Cathedral has been hit with a £1,000 clean-up bill after vandals damaged its iconic 900-year-old Norman Arch.

The graffiti, which appears to have been written in black pen, has been described by the Cathedral as a “mindless act of vandalism”.

A spokesperson for Peterborough Cathedral said: “This isn't just stonework – it is part of a remarkable building that has stood for more than 900 years, surviving wars, fires and the passage of time. Today, it has been damaged by a thoughtless act of vandalism.

“Removing the graffiti and repairing the affected stone will cost more than £1,000 – money that would otherwise have been spent caring for the Cathedral and ensuring it remains open and welcoming for everyone.

“Historic stone cannot simply be cleaned like a modern wall; specialist conservation work is required to prevent further damage.

“It's difficult to understand why anyone would choose to damage a place that belongs to the whole community.

“Peterborough Cathedral has stood at the heart of our city for centuries, and preserving it for future generations is a responsibility we all share.”

Also known as the Norman Gate, the Arch is the main entrance to the Galiliee Court of the cathedral from Cathedral Square.

Dating back more than 1,300 years, Peterborough Cathedral was established as an Anglo-Saxon monastery in 655 AD.

The Cathedral is urging anyone with information about the graffiti to contact Cambridgeshire Police.