Vandals uproot cherry trees in park attack

Four cherry trees were vandalised in Wellhead Park in Bourne

Police are investigating after vandals ripped four cherry trees from the ground at a park in Lincolnshire.

The incident was believed to have taken place in Wellhead Park in Bourne at about 23:30 GMT on 16 December.

Nick Legge from Bourne United Charities, which runs the park, said the culprits had been caught on CCTV but the incident had upset workers.

He said new trees would be planted in a different area of the park.

"We have a team of ground staff that puts in an awful lot of effort into maintaining the park and it's for the people of Bourne," Mr Legge said.

"Then some vandals come along and decide to rip the trees out of the ground and it's not just the cost of it - our staff were very upset."

Mr Legge said the new trees would be bigger and more robust and would have protection around them.

However, he said this amounted to a "needless expense" for the charity.

"In 20 years' time they will look back on this with a sense of shame, I'm sure. I just wish this sense of shame would kick in before they actually did it."

Lincolnshire Police said: "We have received a report of criminal damage at Wellhead Park where four trees are reported to have been pulled from the ground.

"This is reported to have happened between 23:30 and 23:35 on 16 December.

"Officers are in the process of reviewing the incident and will carry out any further investigations as needed."

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