Howden-Le-Wear's Christmas tree vandalised one day after installation

Howden-Le-Wear residents have been left disgusted after their Village Hall's Christmas tree was vandalised only one day after volunteers worked to decorate it. 

This is the second year in a row that the community's tree has been damaged, with some thinking that the same culprits may be responsible, contributing to "endemic vandalism" in the village.  

The Village Hall committee also outlined that they would not be replacing the tree for the foreseeable future following the vandalism, due to the risk of repetition.

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Last year's village Christmas tree, which was also defaced. (Image: Alan Bowman)

On social media, the Village Hall committee wrote: "One day! One day only! That's how long the village Christmas tree was displayed before it has been vandalised.

"Once again, this wicked, senseless act has upset residents of all ages."

The tree, which is planted outside the village hall year-round, was decorated by volunteers on December 1, so that children coming out of school at 3 pm would be able to see it. 

However, only a day later, the cables for the lights were cut, and decorations were knocked off. 

Alan Bowman, the Village Hall's chairman, told The Northern Echo: "We spend around £50 on lights for the tree this year after last year's light cables were cut.

"Thankfully, we had spare baubles, so we did not have to buy more after last year's decorations were trampled into the ground."

Not only were decorations stripped from the tree, but strings of lights were cut and batteries stolen, causing at least £50 of damage. (Image: Alan Bowman)

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The village has seen "endemic vandalism" over the last year - not only was last year's Christmas tree also destroyed, but donated picnic benches installed in the park were disfigured. 

Despite the benches being made from "indestructible plastic", vandals did enough damage with a hacksaw to render one of them unusable. 

For Mr Bowman, this has been incredibly frustrating. He said: "We certainly won't be putting the tree up again this year, and we might not put it up in years to come."

On social media, one resident said: "This makes me sad beyond words. The tree was looking so beautiful and was decorated with such care."

Another said: "What a disgrace - they must be very sad people if they get pleasure from destroying joy at Christmas." 

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