Shropshire Christmas tree yobs cause £500 damage

The attack also damaged the electrical equipment which is having to be repaired by the contractor – leaving the taxpayer with a £500 bill.

Great Dawley Town Council has reported the matter to police after discovering the damage earlier this week.

Councillor Shaun Davies, council chairman, said: "This is mindless criminal damage which will cost the taxpayers of Great Dawley money.

"At a time when the vast majority of residents enjoy Christmas, it is sad one or two have spoiled it."

Town council clerk Clare Turner said staff were first made aware of the vandalism on Tuesday afternoon.

"We are very disappointed," she said.

"It was actually highlighted yesterday afternoon but we wanted to get it checked out.

"Someone has jumped over the fence and pulled the lights and the unit off.

"The electric equipment was also damaged and we have had to send that away to the contractor for it to be repaired.

"It left live wires exposed so there was obviously a safety issue as well.

"It looks like it is going to cost us up to £500 to get them repaired, which is a lot of money for a small council like ourselves out of a tight budget.

"It also means the tree is going to be bare for the time it takes to get them fixed and back in.

"We are just really disappointed about it all.

"We spend a lot of time trying to brighten the place up and make it a better place for people to work and live, and then someone comes along and does something like that.

"It's just mindless and hopefully the police can catch the people responsible."

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: "We are aware of the report of vandalism to the Christmas tree in Great Dawley and are currently investigating."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.