Authorities in Gwynedd are urging people to report any criminal damage caused to artefacts in the slate landscape.

It follows a number of incidents during the year at Parc Padarn Country Park in Llanberis.

Cabannau used by quarrymen have been damaged and old wall coping stones have been broken or knocked down.

Stones have been thrown into the quarry pools near Vivian Quarry, where  tree trunks have been dislodged and road signs in the Allt-Ddu area have been damaged.

Most recently, a fire was started deliberately in a winding house at the top of the A1 incline, where conservation work was due to be carried out.

The appeal has come from Cyngor Gwynedd officials, who have been working alongside police and the heritage body Cadw as part of Heritage Crime Awareness Week.

The council's acting leader, Nia Jeffreys, said: "Our local heritage is vitally important to our sense of culture and history. It is also an integral part of the local economy as it draws visitors from near and far."

"I'm therefore urging people to respect our historic assets and if anyone knows something about these incidents – or any other incident where historical artefacts have been damaged – to contact the police."

"Repairing any damage such as these instances at Parc Padarn takes our wardens' time and keeps them from other essential work. It is also a financial burden on us as an authority – this is particularly worrying at a time when the council is having to be extremely careful of every penny due to shrinking budgets."

According to officials, raising awareness of heritage crime is particularly relevant in light of the incidents at Parc Padarn.

They warn theft, criminal damage or anti-social behaviour can not only damage historic assets but also interfere with the public's understanding and enjoyment of them.

Cllr Jeffreys says that people who have caused the damage may not fully realise they are putting local historical artefacts and heritage at risk.

She added: "The coping stones on the old walls for example are a historical treasure in themselves, as they feature signatures and pictures engraved by quarrymen over the centuries. If these are damaged, they will be lost forever."

"Similarly, the caban buildings are also an integral part of our industrial history, and it is important that we maintain and preserve them so that future generations can learn about the quarries and communities that developed around the works."

"It is important to bear in mind that the Dinorwig quarry area is part of the slate landscape which has been granted UNESCO world heritage site designation, and we want to protect and celebrate our industrial history, culture and heritage."

"It would be heartbreaking should a small minority of reckless individuals damage these historical treasures."

Anyone with information about criminal damage should contact North Wales Police on 101 or visit the force's website. If it's a non-urgent incident, they're advised to email the Rural Crime team.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.