Attacker with chainsaw strikes at beauty spot

A MYSTERY attacker has lopped down a 60-year-old tree with a chainsaw at a Saddleworth beauty spot.

Charity volunteers were horrified when they found the 40ft tree had been felled, narrowly missing the car park toilets as it crashed to the ground at the Binn Green car park, Dovestone, overnight on Tuesday.

It is thought the mindless act of vandalism could be linked with a previous incident on February 14, when a near-by tree was also sawn through at the picnic area.

Police were called yesterday by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which manages the site.

PC Dave Pickles said: “It only just missed the toilets — the person that did this obviously didn’t think about what they were doing.

“There could have been vehicles there, people in cars, and it could have wiped out and smashed the toilet block to bits.

“This is wilful damage. Whatever the motive is, if we catch who has done this they will be prosecuted.”

It is not the first time that the secluded car park in Holmfirth Road has been a target.

Last year solar panels were stolen from the roof, while an automatic barrier was wrecked by vandals.

Dave O’Hara, RSPB site manager, said: “Volunteer involvement at Dovestone is excellent and this is isolated but this is affecting the community and the people that enjoy using the site.

“We have no clue why someone has done this, they haven’t made any effort to chop it up or take it away.

“We’ll continue to plant trees in the area and combat this behaviour with police.

“It’s a very old tree and just a real shame what someone has done.”

Police are now stepping up patrols in the area and will be carrying out overnight checks on the car park.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact police 0161-872 5050 or the neighbourhood team on 0161-856 4524.