Anger after trees felled by 'mindless' vandals

Vandals who are believed to have cut down newly-planted trees in Birmingham have been described as "mindless".

The Friends of Bradford St group said several young trees on Digbeth High Street have been sawn through at the base.

The trees, which were felled on Friday, were understood to have been removed by two men using a chainsaw, according to the group.

Councillor Izzy Knowles said the damage was "devastating" and hoped CCTV footage captured by a nearby business would enable the identification of the culprits.

She said the Friends' group had worked for several years to improve the area through litter picking, graffiti removal and working with local businesses.

"I know how hard the group have worked over the last probably four or five years now to try and keep the area looking good," said Knowles.

"They sort of go beyond Bradford Street, they go into Digbeth and do the litter picking, graffiti cleaning, and trying to work with businesses.

"There's so much goodwill, so I know how much it would have really devastated them - something like this - because it just seemed mindless."

The group, which posted on social media that it was "absolutely heartbroken", said West Midlands Police was investigating.

The BBC has asked the force to provide a statement.

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