A community has been left devastated after its Christmas tree, which has stood for more than a decade, was cut down just hours after its festive lights were switched on. The tree in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, was felled between 10pm and 11pm on Wednesday (December 10) and has caused “huge upset”, according to Durham Police.
The force believes it was felled deliberately and has appealed for witnesses to come forward. Locals have rushed to put the tree back up as quickly as possible, with Shotton Residents Association chairman Steve Maitland telling BBC Radio Tees that members of the public were making a sleeve for the tree’s base so that they could bolt it back up “just to tide us over for Christmas”. Mr Maitland said the tree had been erected as a monument to the fallen soldiers of World War 1. “These people who did this – I don’t think they understand the history and the feeling of these things,” he said.
The tree was erected as a monument to the fallen soldiers of World War One (Image: PA)
Following the crime, PC David Allan said: “This was a disgusting act of mindless vandalism which has caused huge upset throughout the village at a time when our community should be coming together.
“We are treating this incident extremely seriously, and we will deal with anyone responsible as robustly as the law allows.
“This behaviour has no place in our community. Someone knows something – please help us find who is responsible,” urging anyone with information, including CCTV or doorbell footage, to contact the force.
Newport city centre’s Christmas tree has been branded ‘the worst in Britain’ (Image: Mark Lewis)
Mr Maitland called the attack “mindless vandalism” but said he could not “turn the clock back”, adding that the next steps will be to set up a fundraising campaign to plant a new tree and “start again”.
“[We’ve] just got to push on and try and get it sorted,” he said.
This news comes just days after a Christmas tree in a city in Wales was criticised by locals who said they had been left disappointed by the festive display, with one fearing it may be the worst in the country. Critics have pointed out that the tall, slender tree in Newport city centre is artificial and adorned with malfunctioning lights.
“I’ve been campaigning quite heavily lately for improvements to Newport’s city centre,” said local Conservative campaigner Michael Enea. “I have to say the Christmas tree isn’t helping. It must be one [of] the worst in Britain. It’s quietly been the talk of the city among locals.”
