Vandals Chainsaw Down Beloved Peterlee Christmas Tree Memorial Hours After Light Switch-On.
Residents in the English town of Peterlee expressed deep distress after vandals targeted a prominent Christmas tree, which had been planted ten years prior, felling it with chainsaws.
Reports were filed with Durham Police confirming that Shotton Colliery’s much-loved Christmas tree had been destroyed on Wednesday, December 10. The incident took place between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., just hours after local residents had gathered to watch the seasonal light switch-on ceremony.
“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 commented in a public Facebook post.
“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 held a significant place in the town's history, having stood for more than 10 years as a memorial to soldiers who perished during World War I.
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Following the illegal felling, local residents have collaborated to create a sleeve for the base, hoping to restore the tree to its upright position.
“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 told BBC Radio Tees about the community’s efforts.
Maitland labeled the incident “mindless vandalism,” noting that some of the individuals who helped raise funds to plant the tree had since passed away.
He expressed intentions to launch a new fundraiser to purchase 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 responded to the damage by sharing photographs of the destruction on Facebook.
Additionally, the church urged 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.”
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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 arrests have been made in connection with the vandalism at the time of publication. Durham Police are currently questioning witnesses and appealing to anyone with footage or information regarding the incident to contact authorities via email at david.allan2@durham.police.uk, quoting crime reference number CRI00653425.
