Viral TikTok shows cobblestone being 'taken for souvenir' near Canterbury Cathedral
Published: 05:00, 06 April 2023
Updated: 13:14, 06 April 2023
A TikToker who went viral after sharing a video of her jokingly taking a cobblestone near a historic site has called for it to be returned - after it was stolen following her visit.
The social media user attracted millions of views after sharing a post of her removing the loose stone from the ground near Canterbury Cathedral, with the caption "souvenir acquired".
Many were left furious the visitor had seemingly nabbed the item and left a hole in the ground.
But she reassured followers she did it to be a "little bit funny" and swiftly returned the cobblestone in Mercery Lane, near Canterbury Cathedral's Christchurch Gate.
However, KentOnline visited the site on Tuesday to find the brick was missing from the road.
The TikTok user @arorio_art has since called for the stone to be returned.
She shared the original video last month and it has since been viewed more than 3.7 million times and attracted hundreds of comments.
One person said: "Hey, this is Canterbury! I live there. Put it back."
Another user commented: "I kicked that exact one the other day and it hurt like hell. I hate to break it to you but that one is bad luck."
While another person said: "Oh God. Not Canterbury."
Following a backlash, @arorio_art posted an update on Tuesday to say she left it in place.
"I did not pick up that rock," she said.
"I put that rock back and picked it up for the purpose of the video.
"I thought it would be a little bit funny - which I shouldn’t have done and I’m sorry for that."
She says she was contacted by a stranger, who sent her a picture of the missing stone.
"That was not me," she added. "I don’t know why the rock has 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 go and take the rock."
It is understood the stone is not a historic item and the cobbles are not listed.
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."
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Brad Harper