Almost twice per week a parish constable, a douzenier and a police officer walk around the parish to inspect areas. No damage was noticed at 9pm when that had finished, but by the next morning, a dog-walker had called to say four of the newly-planted trees had been mistreated and snapped.
Another branch was found damaged closer to the skate ramp on Friday afternoon. It was still attached but hanging loose.
‘The trees have had enough trouble with the drought, they don’t need vandalism too. It is a real shame when you think about how much work had gone in to plant them,’ said Deputy Le Pelley.
The trees were planted to put something back into the community in celebration of Saffrey Champness’ 40th anniversary.
Head of recreation services Sam Herridge, who oversees various sites such as Delancey Park and Beau Sejour, said: ‘We are working with the police and hope the trees will recover.’
Deputy Le Pelley added: ‘The trees were sawn below the snap which hopefully will save them and allow them to regrow.’
There were also problems with rubbish bins being tipped over, but he said that was tidied up very quickly.
‘There was also unspecified damage to the bowling green which is a very well looked-after area,’ he said.
He said the parish may have to consider surveillance in the park to prevent further damage to the property.
n The damage was thought to have been caused between 9pm on Monday 2 August and 7am the next day. Anyone with any further information should call PC 97 Du Port on 725111 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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