Yahoo Finance Mystery surrounding night-time tree-felling in Surrey deepens
Officers are asking for any digital evidence of the suspect
(Surrey Police)Residents of a small town in Surrey have been left baffled after more than 50 trees were needlessly cut down at night by a mystery vandal.
A Facebook action group has been set up to try and stop whoever is chopping down healthy trees in Weybridge, in the borough of Elmbridge.
It now has more than 1,000 members trying to piece together clues but despite late-night patrols and a mass of CCTV police have been unable to catch the culprits.
Resident Tony Callaghan told Sky News: “It just seems to be nothing more than spiteful. There does not seem to be any other reason for it.
“It is such a terrible thing and nobody knows why it is happening - but the biggest conjecture has been around how they are doing it.”
Mr Callaghan said the trees appeared to have been cut down using a chainsaw and that around 50 had been felled so far.
“Some say it must be a battery saw because petrol ones make so much noise," he said. “Other people say they have seen a red car nearby, others say they are maybe using a moped to get away.
“One of the recent trees had a bouquet placed on it and was a memorial to someone's mother - it's really sad.”
Residents thought the “mindless vandalism” had stopped before another eight cherry trees were cut down just before they were about to blossom.
Inspector Bert Dean, commander of Elbridge Police said: “Not only are these trees a haven for wildlife but they bring much pleasure to our community.
“I am speaking to local councillors who are increasingly concerned at this issue and we review every bit of evidence we can to try and identify who is doing this.
“We continue with our patrols into the night, whilst also responding to emergencies.”
An Elmbridge Police spokeswoman said officers are asking for any digital evidence of the suspect to be shared with them.
Read More
Murder probe after man dies when ‘BMW driven at group’ in Surrey
Two men jailed for life for ‘assassination’ of drugs supplier
Middlesex captain Handscomb to make debut in Surrey clash
TikTok and the virtual test drive: is this the future of car buying?
