Primary pupils upset after vandals attack newly planted trees

Mindless vandals have damaged the tree saplings lovingly planted by primary four and five children at Cunningsburgh School. Their tops have been broken off, meaning they will either not grow properly or will die.  Many will have to be removed.

Police appealed for information about the attack, which happened sometime between last Wednesday and Friday, just over a week after the trees, including birches, dog rose bushes and sitka elders, were put in the ground by the pupils with help from Shetland Amenity Trust staff.

“This isn’t something we would expect in Shetland,” said head teacher Jane Husbands. “It’s awful when something nice, such as a tree planting, is mindlessly damaged. Whoever did this has upset many children.”

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them either on the usual Lerwick Police Station number or if preferred through the Safer Shetland Action Line, where information can be passed on confidentially.