Residents of Peterlee, England, were left in shock after vandals attacked a monumental Christmas tree that was planted one decade earlier, cutting it down with chainsaws.
Durham Police received reports that the iconic Shotton Colliery’s Christmas tree had been cut down on Wednesday, December 10. The incident took place between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., which was just hours after locals gathered to watch the lights on the tree turn on.
“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,” Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team’s Police Constable David Allan said in a statement via Facebook.
“We are treating this incident extremely seriously, and we will deal with anyone responsible as robustly as the law allows,” he continued. “This behavior has no place in our community. Someone knows something — please help us find who is responsible.”
The tree has played an important part in the town’s history and has stood in the village for over 10 years as a monument to the fallen soldiers of World War I.
Following the illegal felling, local residents have banded together and are now working to create a sleeve to hold the base and get the tree back up.
“These people who did this – I don’t think they understand the history and the feeling of these things,” Shotton Residents Association chairman Steve Maitland revealed to BBC Radio Tees about the initiative.
Maitland went on to call the incident “mindless vandalism,” adding that the tree had been around for so long that some of the people who helped fundraise to plant it have since died.
He then expressed his hopes to launch a new fundraiser in order to get a replacement tree. “[We’ve] just got to push on and try and get it sorted,” he said.
“The Christmas tree’s lights were turned on at about 5pm and 80 to 100 people turned up to watch. Hours later, this has happened,” he said. “Whoever has done it feels they can get away with it, but hopefully they will be caught.”
Local church St. Saviour’s also weighed in on the damage, taking to Facebook to share several photos of the havoc wrought on the beloved tree. Additionally, the church called for those responsible to turn themselves in to face consequences.
“Late last night, it was reported that Shotton Colliery’s Christmas Tree had been cut down,” the church captioned the photos. “After all the people who gave their time and effort to raise funds to get a tree for the village.”
The church’s post continued, “This morning a tree surgeon has looked at the damage and said it’s been done with a chainsaw. May the people who caused this be caught and punished by the authorities.”
No one has been arrested in connection to the vandalism as of time of publication. Durham Police are currently talking to witnesses, and they are urging anyone who might have footage from the incident or information to contact authorities via email at david.allan2@durham.police.uk quoting crime reference number CRI00653425.
