Sycamore Gap tree updates — Police arrest boy, 16, after iconic landmark in Robin Hood film ‘deliberately felled’
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested after the iconic Sycamore Gap tree was "deliberately felled."
The 70ft-tall landmark, which stood in a dramatic dip at Sycamore Gap near Crag Lough in Northumberland, was found felled early this morning.
Northumbria Police revealed in a statement on Thursday that a 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
16-Year-old 'assisting with enquiries'
Police have confirmed they are "keeping an open find" following the arrest.
In a statement police said: "This afternoon, we've arrested a 16-year-old male in connection with the incident.
"He remains in police custody at this time and is assisting officers with their enquiries.
"Given our investigation remains at a very early stage, we are keeping an open mind."
'An incredibly sad day'
Superintendent Kevin Waring, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an incredibly sad day. The tree was iconic to the North East and enjoyed by so many who live in or who have visited this region.
“As a Force, are fully committed to finding out the full circumstances and we will consider every tactic at our disposal in this investigation."
Arrest made
Police have confirmed a 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap Tree.
The 70ft-tall sycamore, which stood in a dramatic dip at Sycamore Gap near Crag Lough in Northumberland, was found felled early this morning.
The authority is asking the public not to visit the site "whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe".
Northumbria National Park’s statement
A Northumberland National Park Authority spokesperson said: “We can confirm that sadly, the famous tree at Sycamore Gap has come down over night.
“We have reason to believe it has been deliberately felled.
“It is not clear currently whether the tree is a victim of Storm Agnes or it is a deliberate act – though pictures indicate a clean and straight cut.
“The location was once a popular photographic subject, and it was described as one of the most photographed trees in the country.
“We are working with the relevant agencies and partners with an interest in this iconic North East landmark and will issue more details once they are known.
“Sycamore Gap was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 in the Woodland Trust’s awards and is much-loved by people from across the world.
“Northumberland National Park Authority would like to ask the public not to visit the site at this time whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe.”
‘The tree was ours’
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness, said: “I’m devastated that the famous Sycamore is gone. That tree was ours. It was an iconic North East landmark standing tall in our beautiful Northumberland.
“I am incandescent that this looks like a deliberate act of vandalism. I’ll be raising this personally today.
“I know Northumbria Police are at the scene and officers will do their utmost to catch whoever is behind this. Terrible news.”
What should you do if you have any information that could help the investigation?
The Police have asked members of the public to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230928-0295 if they have any information.
Officers have condemned the vandalism of an iconic Northumberland tree and vowed to bring anyone responsible to justice.
What should you do if you have any information that could help the investigation?
The Police have asked members of the public to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230928-0295 if they have any information.
Officers have condemned the vandalism of an iconic Northumberland tree and vowed to bring anyone responsible to justice.
'Anyone found to have been responsible can expect to be dealt with swiftly and appropriately'
Northumbria police have sent a strong message to those responsible for the vandalism.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the force said: "We've launched a full investigation following damage to the Sycamore Gap Tree in #Northumberland.
"Officers are carrying out a range of enquiries to establish whether criminal offences have been committed."
Police added that those responsible "can expect to be dealt with swiftly and appropriately."
Residents left furious
Residents living nearby expressed their "outrage" at the felling of the tree, which is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the UK.
Farmer Katie Smith, 25, said she spotted the tree on its side as she passed it on her way to work on Thursday morning.
She said: "I drive passed the tree twice a day and I always look up at it but today I just saw it was gone.
"Pictures taken of it look like someone has deliberately sawed it down.
"It's an absolute tragedy. No one can believe it has been cut down.
"There was a storm last night but it's withstood worse. There is no way this is not vandalism. People around here are shocked."
What films had the tree appeared in?
The tree notably appeared in the 1991 movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.
World famous tree deliberately chopped down
The 70ft-tall sycamore, which stood in a dramatic dip at Sycamore Gap near Crag Lough in Northumberland, was found felled early this morning.
It is believed that the tree was cut down deliberately.
The authority is asking the public not to visit the site "whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe".