Winchester City Council has called in the police following damage to a historic Winchester monument.
One of the pinnacles of the Buttercross monument broke off and hit the ground, smashing on impact leaving fragments in the street.
The council confirmed that they have reported the incident to the heritage crime liaison officer and do not think the piece fell of its own accord.
It said the intention is to restore the historic High Street landmark, but that this was likely to cost thousands of pounds.
A city council spokeswoman said experts in the historic environment department have been examining it to see if it could be repaired or would have to be replaced and the work will be going out to tender to local stonemasons.
For full story see this week's Hampshire Chronicle out now.
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