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Chainsaw yob attacks estate trees
Date published: 06 August 2010
A CHAINSAW-wielding yob launched a mindless attack on trees at the Eldon Street Estate.
The council is appealing for information after elderly residents saw a man in a hooded top brandishing a petrol-powered chainsaw close to shops in Ashton Road.
When First Choice Homes staff went to investigate, they found a whitebeam tree, thought to be around 30-years-old, had been sliced through the trunk and left to fall.
The yob also attempted to cut down another tree without success before fleeing the scene.
Councillor Mark Alcock is Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for citizens and neighbourhoods.
He said: “This is a totally mindless act of vandalism in a quiet area which I find almost unbelievable. I am at a loss to understand what motivates someone to brandish a chainsaw and attack trees like this in broad daylight in a quiet community.
“Residents were alerted when they heard the revving noises from the chainsaw.
“They reported it to us but we do not have a very clear description of the offender.
“Council officers have since visited the site and had the fallen tree removed.
“A replacement will now be planted in the winter.
“We are hopeful that the other damaged tree may recover but the overall cost of this mindless act – including the stump-grinding, removal, replacement, planting and aftercare — is in the region of £400 to taxpayers.
“Worse still, this must have been a terrifying sight for local residents to witness.
“I would urge any member of the public who may have more information to contact police.”
Any witnesses to the incident, which happened at 6pm on Tuesday, should call police on 0161-872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.
Alternatively, contact Matthew Moss, the council’s assistant arboricultural manager, on 0161-770 2043.
Comments
If the perpatrator of the "Eldon st chainsaw massacre" is reading this,assuming of course he or she CAN read,I suggest they take their undoubted talents and apply for a job at George Hill or somewhere similar where they could actually be paid for their expertise.failing that I further suggest they place the teeth of the tool into a certain part of their anatomy,pull the cord and make a marvellous self sacrifice beneficial to the rest of humanity.
Thankyou Geronimo for a superb comment- if the idiot is found, could I suggest a seach of their premises to find the Lees Owl that was also massacred? You never know....
Maybe this is a case for 'The Special Branch'?
Mindless ....yeah, but its only a tree, lets hope they catch this 'CHAINSAW weilding Yob' before he does something that might actually hurt someone or even worse!
The thing what makes me amazed is this; “...the overall cost of this mindless act – including the stump-grinding, removal, replacement, planting and aftercare — is in the region of £400 to taxpayers.
??? £400 ,... And now you know where the council is wasting the money!!! I could sort that out for half the price!!!
I remember a similar story some years ago. The man responsible for cutting down trees was sent to prison where he was taught the art of forestry and the cultivation of trees. On release from prison he started up his own business growing Christmas trees. After a while he had branches throughout the country.
Being as chainsaws are not your run-of-the-mill item and are rarely if ever found in the cupboard under the stairs, and given that tere are loads of trees in areas where discovery is far less likely, I would suggest that these trees were targeted for a very specific reason.
Oldham Police completely stumped by this
Have Your Say
And when you catch him what will it be £20 fine or just a telling off.
By Fitton Hill @ 06/08/2010 12:17:05