A COUNCILLOR has slammed the “thoughtless actions” of vandals who ripped seven cherry blossom trees in half.

The three-year-old Japanese cherry blossoms were snapped overnight last Friday and found by dog walkers on Saturday morning.

They were part of a collection of 60 trees, costing over £8,000 in total, that the Friends of Preston Park group had paid for through members’ own fundraising.

The Argus: One of the snapped cherry blossom treesOne of the snapped cherry blossom trees

Leo Littman, Green Party councillor for Preston Park, said despite these actions which have “undone the work” of many volunteers, the vandals “will not win”.

He said: “As local councillors, we have worked closely with Friends of Preston Park on park improvements.

“We have also worked with the local action team and the police in trying to counter antisocial behaviour in the park. So, it is doubly saddening that this should happen. 

The Argus: From left, Joe McNulty, vice chairman of Friends of Preston Park, Beatrice Moreau-Gray, committee member, Sarah McKenzie, volunteer gardener and Carol Cole, chairwoman of FOPPFrom left, Joe McNulty, vice chairman of Friends of Preston Park, Beatrice Moreau-Gray, committee member, Sarah McKenzie, volunteer gardener and Carol Cole, chairwoman of FOPP

“The thoughtless actions of a few have undone the work of many dedicated residents, but they will not win.

“Between us, the park community will overcome this vandalism. We will continue to work together to improve the park for everyone.”

Sussex Police do not have a record of the vandalism but did clear a group of people from the area at around 9pm on Friday.

Friends of Preston Park have complained in the past of graffiti, littering and “vehicles illegally entering the park” in recent years.

Carol Cole, chairwoman of the group, said she and others “cried” when they saw the vandalism.

The 68-year-old added: “People were so shocked, they just couldn’t believe that anyone would be so mindless to do this. One of the comments I got from someone who helped plant the trees was ‘I hope there is a special place in hell for people who do things like this’. That’s how angry people were.

“It is just beyond belief. The whole community has just rallied around, we have had people donating to us again to be able to buy some more trees.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said it will be liaising with Sussex Police and will help put in replacement trees during the next planting season, which starts in October.

The spokesman added: “We’re angry and saddened by this act of mindless vandalism.”