A 16-year-old boy was detained in the north of England on suspicion of “deliberately felling” the 300-year-old Sycamore Gap Tree and committing criminal damage.
Officers apprehended the teenager as neighbors expressed their grief over the destruction of the landmark, which has been a prominent component of the site at Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland for hundreds of years.
Northumbria police stated on Thursday (Sep 28) that the boy had been detained and was supporting investigators with their investigations.
The national park authorities and villagers remarked that they were “struggling to see the logic” in the demolition of the Sycamore Gap, which had been a “part of this area’s DNA” for a long time and had endured thousands of seasons.
The tree was thought to be around 300 years old
The tree, which was thought to be around 300 years old, rose to renown when it appeared in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. According to the authorities, the tree was felled on purpose as an act of vandalism.
Northumbria police superintendent Kevin Waring said on Thursday, “This is a world-renowned landmark and the events of today have caused significant shock, sadness, and anger throughout the local community and beyond.”
“An investigation was immediately launched following this vandalism, and this afternoon we have arrested one suspect in connection with our inquiries,” he added.
“Given our investigation remains at a very early stage, we are keeping an open mind. I am appealing to the public for information to assist us – if you have seen or heard anything suspicious that may be of interest to us, please let us know,” the police official stated.
According to park rangers and police officials on the site, the tree was expertly hacked with a sharp chainsaw by someone who knew what he was doing. This isn’t the first incident where a teenager was involved in mischief, recently, a teen was arrested for tipping a porta-potty in New Hampshire, US.
Locals reported that they did not hear anything during the night due to Storm Agnes‘ severe winds – and discovered the tree split from its root early in the morning.
Andrew Poad, general manager of the National Trust, stated that he could not comprehend who would have a cause to cut down the tree.
“We have ups and downs [with members of the public] but not to a degree anyone would do something like this. It’s a reason better known to themselves. It’s part of this area’s DNA, that’s what I’m struggling with. I can’t see the logic in what’s happened,” Poad stated.