Man, 24, arrested over mass tree felling in Surrey

Police officers hunting the person who chopped down 50 trees along the banks of the Thames in Surrey have arrested a 24-year-old man who they said was found with chainsaws in his van.

© Provided by The Guardian
Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian

Council officials and detectives were left baffled by the series of tree fellings which started on 21 March in a two-mile stretch between Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge, both in Elmbridge, Surrey.

About 50 to 60 trees were felled – many of them mature trees more than 20ft high.

Anthony Cilia, a retired kitchen fitter from Weybridge, was among the first to spot the damage to the trees. He told Mail Online: “Why this person is doing it is beyond me. There are plenty of wooded areas nearby to go to, but for some reason they are choosing to do it in a public area on the banks of the river.

© Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian
One of the felled trees, in Weybridge, Surrey.

“Not only is it a blight on an area the council has spent several millions of pounds on improving, but more importantly, it’s dangerous.”

Another local resident, Christine Elmer, said trees that had been grown specially in memory of loved ones who had died were also targeted.

She tweeted: “Really important if anyone has any info on who is going around our town and wider Borough cutting down trees, including Memorial trees, to get in touch with the Elmbridge Police.”

Despite increasing night-time patrols with the help of a newlyformed residents action group and scouring CCTV footage, police had struggled to catch the suspect.

In a statement, Surrey police confirmed officers had arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of causing criminal damage and going equipped. “Officers were first alerted on Sunday March 21, after local residents had noticed that a number of trees had been cut down overnight. Throughout the past month, more trees were cut down, some of which were left across the road, causing disruption to the area.

“Surrey police received a fantastic response from residents who contacted us with information, allowing investigating officers to identify a vehicle they believed to be connected. Last night, this vehicle was stopped. Searches carried out in the suspect’s car and home address found several chainsaws and wood chippings. The man was arrested and remains in custody.”

Insp Bert Dean, the borough commander for Elmbridge, said: “This is an encouraging development in this investigation. We continue to piece together the evidence we have. Thank you again to the local community for their ongoing patience and support.”