Police investigation after trees chopped by A149 Caister bypass

Young oak trees were discovered felled next to the A149 Caister bypass

Police have launched an investigation after trees were felled without permission on the edge of a road.

Oak stumps can be seen near the A149 Caister bypass next to piles of timber left on a verge.

Norfolk County Council said it owned the trees and did not authorise anyone to trim or fell them.

A Norfolk Police spokesperson confirmed the force was "investigating a report of criminal damage".

Norfolk County Council said it would cost money to clear the debris

Councillor Penny Carpenter said she noticed the trees had been cut down on 21 August.

She added: "I find it incredulous that whoever [chopped the trees] had thought it's acceptable to cut down someone else's property.

"It's just like me rocking up at your front door and saying I don't like your tree and cutting to down. It's exactly the same.

"They are owned by Norfolk County Council, and permission wasn't given and the legal department have now put it in the hands of Norfolk Constabulary officers."

She said that it would cost the local authority to clear the debris, which would involve temporary traffic management, but that the authority would replant new trees in the area.

Councillor Penny Carpenter said the felling of the oaks was a crime

"I do appreciate they [police] are stretched, and I know there is far more important things for them to be looking at and on a scale of seriousness perhaps it's not as serious as major crime," Ms Carpenter added.

"But at the end of the day it's still crime."

A Norfolk Police spokesperson told the BBC: "We are investigating a report of criminal damage relating to between six and eight oak trees being felled next to the A149 Caister bypass."