Men arrested after Shotton Colliery Christmas tree cut down

Two people were arrested after the Christmas tree, which had been erected for more than 10 years in a village, was cut down hours after its lights were turned on.

The tree at Shotton Colliery in County Durham was felled at some point between 22:00 and 23:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Two men were arrested following an objection from the Peterlee Neighborhood Policing Team.

Police said officers are in the process of charging and arresting a 26-year-old man for criminal damage, while a 23-year-old man has been released under investigation.

On Friday, Shotton Residents’ Association chairman Steve Maitland said the tree had been erected as a memorial to fallen soldiers in the First World War.

He told BBC Radio Tees that members of the public had made a cover for the base of the tree so they could screw it back on as soon as possible “just to get us ready for Christmas”.

He said: “I don’t think these people who are doing this understand the history and feel of these things.”

Some of the people who took part in fundraising for the tree a decade ago have since died, he said.

He described the attack as “mindless vandalism” but said he “cannot turn back the clock”.