Christmas tree thefts warning

People who chop down or dig up Christmas trees in country parks are being warned they face being arrested for theft after a large number were taken last December.

Last year, rural areas of Wyre Forest and other parts of North Worcestershire were badly hit by Christmas tree thieves. Pc Sally Sliwinska said: "In the Wyre Forest area, we know two men turned up in a van on several nights and chopped down at least 20 trees from the edge of a country park, openly telling local residents, when challenged, that they were helping themselves.

"This is likely to be only the tip of the iceberg and there will be many more thefts of trees that we do not know about.

"Country and forest parks are there for the pleasure of everyone, and trees that are chopped down or dug up are gone forever.

"Chopping down or digging up trees is theft, and anyone caught doing so will be dealt with accordingly."

Pc Sliwinska appealed to people to make sure they bought Christmas trees from a reliable supplier.

Roger Hay, secretary of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, added: "We'd like to remind people that Christmas trees have taken 10 years to grow to a size for their living room and they should buy trees from a reputable garden centre or directly from the grower.

"Otherwise they may be buying trees stolen in this country or brought from Eastern Europe. They will certainly not be fresh."

Anyone with information about Christmas tree thefts is asked to contact police on 08457 444888 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55111.