Police are investigating a mysterious chainsaw bloodbath – after a phantom lumberjack reduce down dozens of timber alongside a picturesque stretch of the River Thames.
Officers are stumped of their hunt for the perpetrator, who has struck as much as 30 instances over the previous ten days in leafy Walton in Surrey.
Additional police patrols have now been set as much as get to the foundation of the issue, and cease whoever is felling the timber with a chainsaw underneath cowl of darkness alongside a two-mile stretch between the market city and neighbouring Weybridge.
The destruction has seen heavy branches strewn over the street, obstructing visitors, and dumped within the water.
Native residents say they do not know why the thriller chopper is concentrating on the ash, oak and elm timber, however imagine the perpetrator might drive a small, pink automotive.
In a joint assertion, Surrey Police and Elmbridge Council at this time blasted the ‘senseless injury’ and appealed for anybody with any data – together with sightings or CCTV footage – to contact them.
Police are investigating a mysterious chainsaw bloodbath – after a phantom chopper reduce down scores of timber in leafy Surrey
Officers are stumped of their hunt for the perpetrator, who has felled at the very least 20 timber in Weybridge and Walton-on-Thames over the past fortnight
A joint assertion from Surrey Police and Elmbridge Borough Council stated it was ‘following up all related data’ and continued to analyze, whereas launching patrols within the areas which have been focused
Additional police patrols have now been set as much as cease the chopper from slicing via timber with a strong chainsaw and leaving heavy branches strewn over the street, obstructing visitors, and dumped within the Thames
One pissed off native stated: ‘Why this individual is doing it’s past me. There are many wooded areas close by to go to however for some purpose they’re selecting to do it in a public space on the banks of the river’
The phantom lumberjack has made their manner via quite a lot of timber alongside the River Thames in Surrey over latest days
A girl stands puzzled, along with her arms on her hips, on the scene of one of many assaults in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey
A chainsaw was reportedly used to chop down the timber close to the River Thames in leafy Walton in Surrey over the previous couple of days
The picturesque riverside location in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey the place dozens of timber have been chopped down
The assertion learn: ‘On Sunday 28 March it was reported that quite a lot of timber have been reduce down by chainsaw across the Cowey Sale space of Walton-on-Thames.
‘Since that point, we have now recognized at the very least 20 different cases of timber being reduce down in Walton and Weybridge. That is regarding to each Surrey Police, Elmbridge Borough Council and residents. ‘Surrey Police have issued appeals for data and want to thank residents for passing on data and sharing these posts.
‘We want to reassure the local people that we’re following up all related data and the investigation stays ongoing. Patrols may also be carried out within the areas which have been focused.’
Elmbridge Borough Commander Inspector Bert Dean, of Surrey Police, added: ‘I don’t underestimate the impression this senseless injury has on the local people in addition to the chance it has posed to motorists by obstructing roads.
‘We’re each alternative to determine who’s answerable for this and can proceed to work intently with Elmbridge Borough Council to deal with this difficulty.
‘When you’ve got any data which might assist, and you haven’t already bought in contact, please contact us.’
Native residents Anthony Cilia has photographed among the injury to the timber.
The photographs present a number of giant timber felled and left both blocking a river tow path or submerged within the Thames.
The trunk on one specific tree had been sliced into a number of items.
Mr Cilia, a retired kitchen-fitter from Weybridge, stated: ‘For some days alongside the Thames towpath between Walton and Weybridge there was a phantom chainsaw vandal chopping down timber within the early hours.
‘Why this individual is doing it’s past me. There are many wooded areas close by to go to however for some purpose they’re selecting to do it in a public space on the banks of the river.
‘Not solely is it a blight on an space the council has spent a number of hundreds of thousands of kilos on bettering however extra importantly it is harmful.
‘A number of of the timber have been downed on to the street operating previous the Thames by Walton Bridge, which has little or no gentle within the evenings so might trigger a automotive accident.
‘Different timber have been reduce down over the pathway blocking pedestrian entry, which is one other potential hazard, or left submerged within the Thames in the best way of boats that use that individual stretch of water.
‘Not one of the timber look to have been chopped up for firewood, might it’s somebody with a grudge in opposition to the council? I do not know, maybe this individual has psychological well being points.
‘What’s worrying is that whoever they’re, they’ve entry to a chainsaw, highly effective sufficient to slice via a 60cm tree trunk.’
Native residents do not know why the individual accountable is chopping down the ash, oak and elm timber however they might drive a small pink automotive and are working underneath the quilt of darkness over a two-mile stretch between Walton and neighbouring Weybridge
In a joint assertion by Surrey Police and Elmbridge Council, the authorities at this time blasted the ‘senseless injury’ as they requested anybody with any data – together with attainable sightings or CCTV footage – to contact them
A whole bunch of pissed off residents have arrange a Fb group to report the incidents, with volunteers additionally monitoring spots close to the river after darkish, the place a number of of the timber have been chopped down
A jogger appears to be like on on the modest stump that is still after a tree was chopped down with a chainsaw in leafy Surrey
Heavy branches have been left strewn over the street, obstructing visitors, and dumped within the Thames all through this month
Two ladies stroll previous the scene of one of many mysterious tree assaults, which has left branches floating within the river
The phantom lumberjack has prompted carnage with a collection of assaults on a picturesque stretch of land close to the Thames
Two pissed off locals have a look at the devastation attributable to the phantom lumberjack on the riverbank in a leafy a part of Surrey
One native stated: ‘Not solely is it a blight on an space the council has spent a number of hundreds of thousands of kilos on bettering however extra importantly it is harmful’
Elmbridge Borough Commander Inspector Bert Dean, of Surrey Police, added: ‘I don’t underestimate the impression this senseless injury has on the local people in addition to the chance it has posed to motorists by obstructing roads’
A jogger runs previous the scene of one of many assaults by the phantom lumberjack in picturesque Walton-on-Thames in Surrey
A bicycle owner rides previous the devastation attributable to the phantom lumberjack on the riverbank in a leafy a part of Surrey this afternoon
One native stated: ‘I heard the buzzing of a chainsaw early this morning and raced out to confront the perpetrator however it was truly council staff slicing up one of many timber which had been felled in a single day so they may take away it’
Grandfather-of-two Mr Cilia stated that 4 timber have been reduce down over Tuesday night time, one blocking the street.
He added: ‘I heard the buzzing of a chainsaw early this morning and raced out to confront the perpetrator however it was truly council staff slicing up one of many timber which had been felled in a single day so they may take away it.
‘The police and council have been notified by many residents however whoever it’s remains to be on the market.’
One other native resident, Christine Elmer, stated that timber which had been grown specifically in reminiscence of family members who had died had additionally been focused.
She tweeted: ‘Actually necessary if anybody has any information on who’s going round our city and wider Borough chopping down timber, together with Memorial timber, to get in contact with the Elmbridge Police.’
5 timber have been felled on Tuesday night time straight outdoors Elmbridge Canoe Membership in Weybridge, with at the very least three of them snapped down into the Thames, doubtlessly posing a hazard to canoeists.
An eyewitness reported seeing two males appearing suspiciously close to the timber at about 8.30pm.
Dwayne Morton, a coach on the canoe membership, stated: ‘The chairman has been knowledgeable and is now reviewing CCTV to see if the suspect or suspects have been caught on digicam.
‘One of many mother and father who was strolling previous yesterday night has stated that she noticed two males standing outdoors the membership trying suspicious.
‘The timber which have been reduce down are fairly hefty so it is clearly taken some work to fell them.
‘A number of the timber have been sliced via and have snapped ahead into the water, which is a little bit of a fear in the event that they break free and trigger issues for boats.
‘It appears a bit mindless to me, what objective does it serve?’
Native resident Moya Tytherleigh fumed: ‘It is disgusting. These timber might have had birds nesting them, it is devastating to nature.
‘What has possessed somebody to do it? I learn on a neighborhood Fb discussion board that there’s a tree-felling activity on the sport Fortnight so perhaps it is some bored avid gamers chopping down timber in actual life as some form of lockdown dare or prank. Who is aware of?’
Nearly all of the timber have been taken down by a stretch of River Thames between Walton and Weybridge.
Walton Lane, a street subsequent to the river path, needed to be closed yesterday morning whereas council staff removed a tree that had been reduce down throughout the street.
Roofer Benny Shaw, who lives on a canal boat between Walton and Weybridge, pointed to a different tree which had been just lately felled within the river.
He stated: ‘It was a wholesome tree so I knew it hadn’t been carried out professionally. Plus who leaves the tree submerged within the water like that? It might hamper the canoeists and boats that use this stretch of water.
‘I’ve not seen or heard something but when I did I would seize their bloody chainsaw and throw it in.’
Ivan Lawler, 54, chairman of Elmbridge Canoe Membership, the place 5 timber have been reduce down in a single day on Tuesday, stated: ‘We have appeared on the CCTV however sadly the cameras do not cowl the world the place the timber have been introduced down.
‘Whoever is doing it, although, must be caught as a result of their actions are placing individuals who use the river in danger.
‘A number of the timber have been felled into the water and it is a hazard, notably for rowers if they’re dealing with the opposite manner and may’t see what’s developing behind them.
‘We had a litter decide final week, through which a gaggle of membership members and locals went spherical and picked up garbage from the trail, and crisp packets and candy wrappers which had blown into tree branches.
‘Then somebody comes alongside and does this – it is an actual kick within the tooth.’
Native lecturers Natasha Blackburn, 24, and 29-year-old Tosh Demirci walked previous one of many felled timber by Walton Lane bridge this afternoon. Natasha stated: ‘I feel it is completely disgusting, simply destroying nature like that.
‘It is made me actually cross as a result of I stroll this path on a regular basis and the timber and foliage make it such a pleasant, peaceable spot. However strolling in direction of Weybridge from Walton at this time, the trail is suffering from destroyed timber.
‘Apparently the individual behind it has a pink automotive and that has been sighted across the space just lately. You must hope the police have her or him of their sights.’
Tosh added: ‘I do know among the youngsters on the faculty the place we train stroll this identical route they usually’d discover this vandalism and injury each bit as upsetting as we do.
‘The kids are taught to take care of the world the place they reside – and this simply flies within the face of that.’
Retired Charles Whetmore, 60, stopped at one other sawn-down tree whereas strolling the river path and shook his head disapprovingly. He stated: ‘It is sickening on the finish of the day.
‘A tree like that may’ve taken at the very least 40 years to develop however it was most likely cut-down in minutes and for what objective?
‘Why would somebody do that? Have they got some form of vendetta? Are they unwell? The latter is a fear as a result of they clearly have entry to one thing like a chainsaw.
‘I’ve seen that some timber nearer to Walton Marina have been reduce down that had plaques or floral tributes devoted to individuals’s deceased family members hooked up.
‘There have been a few timber close to there that had been reduce down final week and five-foot tall stumps have been all that remained.
‘I noticed that the council had put notices on the stumps warning those that the timber had been reduce down illegally.
‘I walked previous the next day and the vandal had sliced via the stumps so the notices have been left on the bottom. It was clearly some sort of taunt.’
A whole bunch have joined a Fb group to report the incidents, with volunteers additionally monitoring spots close to the river after darkish, the place a number of of the timber have been chopped down.
A message on the Elmbridge Tree Patrol group reads: ‘As you all know there is a maniac going round Weybridge, Walton on Thames and Cobham chopping down timber ruining the surroundings, eco system, habitats and making everybody upset.
‘I’ve arrange this group so we are able to all as a neighborhood volunteer to patrol the world at night time to attempt to search out and video file this lunatic.
‘WE MUST SAVE OUR COMMUNITY!’