Vandals attack trees planted in memory of relatives

A FAMILY has been left "devastated" after mindless vandals butchered a tree planted in memory of a loved one.

All of the branches were callously snapped off the cherry tree, which was planted in Grimsby's People's Park five years ago, in honour of Yvonne Thompson.

Three other trees – also planted in memory of people – were also attacked at the same time.

It is the second act of heartless vandalism at the park in less than two months, following the slaughter of a number of ducklings at the end of May.

Yvonne's brother-in-law, Roland Spencer, 81, of Grimsby, said: "We were devastated when we saw what had happened.

"Words can't describe how I feel about the people who did this.

"It's a totally mindless act and they can't have got any satisfaction from what they've done, they've just caused a lot of upset.

"I will never be able to understand why they've done this."

Roland and wife Mavis, 84, planted the tree as a local memorial for Yvonne, who lived in Ladysmith Road and worked at the Post Office, in Victoria Street, until moving to California, where she died.

He added: "We all used to come to the park when we were younger and Yvonne spent a lot of time here.

"It's particularly devastating for Mavis because it was her sister and this tree was to remember her by."

The vandalism is believed to have taken place at about 10pm on Saturday and park wardens have been forced to cut the trees right back to try to save them.

Councillor Ray Oxby, North East Lincolnshire Council's portfolio holder for environment and housing, said: "This weekend, a number of trees were sadly and willfully vandalised at People's Park.

"The trees have been pruned and shaped over the weekend by council staff in response, but if they do not recover, we will have to replace them at a further cost to the council.

"This is a mindless act of vandalism carried out in one of our more popular parks and will not only cause great upset to the families who regularly enjoy the open space, but also spoils the visual amenity for our many visitors and residents."

A spokeswoman for Humberside Police confirmed that criminal damage was reported at about 10.30pm on Saturday.

Anyone with any information about the vandalism, is asked to call Humberside Police on 101, quoting crime reference AA1986068/2013.