Police hunt for youths who cut down trees in Hereford park

West Mercia Police said there had been reports of youths cutting down trees at Newton Farm skate park.

Four trees have been lost, police said, the cost of which was around £2,800.

Two oak trees and two blackthorn trees were lost, which police said was "devastating". They added the criminal damage was malicious and selfish.

Police said they think it was youths who committed the crime, saying that was what had been reported to them. Picture: West Mercia Police

Appealing for information about the crime, believe to have happened at around 7.45pm on October 22, police said: "The damaged caused and the loss of four trees (two oak trees and two blackthorn trees) is devastating to see, and will likely cause upset to the local community.

"This is a well-used park for many of the community of Hereford and this selfish and malicious criminal damage will not be tolerated.

"The damage is estimated to cost around £2,800, not to mention the impact this may have on local wildlife."

In picture shared by police with the public appeal, a Stihl chainsaw can be seen next to one of the trees which had been cut down.

Police did not say whether that was the chainsaw used by the youths.

A Stihl chainsaw was pictured next to one of the four trees cut down in Newton Farm skate park. Picture: West Mercia Police

Anyone who has any information has been asked to call police on 101, quoting reference 22/95940/21, or via the Wet Mercia Police website.

Police added: "Were you in the area? Did you see what happen? Did you see anything posted on social media by those involved? And to the parents, do you know where your children were on this evening?

"Were you missing tools or did your child come home with a tool you didn’t know they had taken?

"If you have any information, quote crime reference 22/95940/21 and please contact 101 or you can make a report online westmercia.police.uk."