Manchester homes searched over theft of rare Peak District mineral

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Two men were arrested by police investigating the theft of a rare mineral only found in the Peak District. Two houses in Greater Manchester was searched by Derbyshire Police on Tuesday night (November 12).

It followed a 'number of suspicious incidents' in Castleton, Derbyshire, where the Blue John mineral is found in only a select few locations.

Around 60kg of the mineral was discovered by Derbyshire Police's Rural Crime Team after the homes were searched. Two men were taken into custody. READ MORE A 28-story tower and new student complex: The key developments planned for Manchester Blue John, a variety of fluorite, has a purple-blue and yellow colour and has historically been used in jewellery and ornaments.

The area where the mineral forms is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and quarrying of Blue John is prohibited, the force said.