Tree-snappers in sights of Police
Police are ‘on track’ to catch the perpetrators of a spate of vandal attacks on trees in Newport, a meeting heard.
Attacks have included the pulling over and snapping of 25 trees across Strine Park and Victoria Park where they were part of the Covid Memorial Woodland and the King Charles Orchard.
Similar attacks have also taken place at Fishers Lock in February, and on High Street, outside Main Street nightclub, in March.
PC Rich Edward, of Newport Safer Neighbourhood Team, told Newport Town Councillors at a meeting on Wednesday (April 23) that investigations “take time” but they are “on track” to collar the suspects.
Telford & Wrekin Councillor Peter Scott, who is not a member of the town council, asked why pictures of suspects have not been put on social media in an effort to track them down.
PC Edward told members of the Community Safety Committee that they have a name linked to damage to a tree outside the Main Street Nightclub, but police investigations are going through “normal means.”
“We have got a name for one person and there are other people involved in that damage,” he said.
“I am sure that in no time they will be invited in for an interview in relation to that damage.”
He added that the area is covered by CCTV and footage was “sought and attained.”
“There is a reason why that hasn’t been published,” he said.
“We want to identify that person, as you do. I have to do that through normal means.
“I’m not just going to put the photo out on social media if I can identify them through other means and that is what we are doing.
He added that the investigations are “on track” after a month and it “takes time” for officers to track individuals on CCTV, to check vehicle keepers and to complete the detective work.
PC Edward said that CCTV coverage in Victoria Park is “being reviewed” alongside Telford & Wrekin Council, to provide camera coverage in “remote parts.”
The officer told councillors that although anti-social behaviour reports have been lower, they are “expecting a rise” during the coming summer.
Councillor Tim Nelson (North ward) told the meeting that he suspected “something is going on” in town in relation to the abuse of ketamine.
He added that there is also a “strong smell of cannabis” in the High Street.
He said he “did not want to alarm the public by suggesting that Newport is a desperate place.
“Compared to other places it is not,” he added. But he added that it is important to deal with the smaller issues of crime.
“With the public realm being trashed that is not good,” he added.
The committee agreed to ask the local force to continue to focus on shoplifting, traffic offences, and anti-social behaviour as their three top priorities for the next three months.
