‘Mindless’ vandals burn penis into Sidmouth beauty spot
Scorched earth at Golden Copse. Ref shs 3512-35-14AW - Credit: Archant
Lewd vandalism and damage at a tranquil and scenic area of The Byes has been blasted as ‘shocking’.
The award-winning Golden Copse in Maragret’s Meadow had wooden signs ripped from the fences, suffered fire damage to two trees and had a phallic symbol ‘burnt’ into the grass.
Residents in Livonia Road noticed the damage and reported it to police on Monday.
Sid Vale Association (SVA) planted the trees 15 years ago - and they have grown to 15 feet tall.
Vice chairman Ed Harrison told the Herald: “It’s shocking that someone or some people could do this. We worked to create a peaceful and tranquil place, it is beyond the pale to attack a small natural area.
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“Such mindless vandalism is incomprehensible.”
The much admired area of land is used by elderly residents and is in with a chance of winning another Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) In Your Neighbourhood award.
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Mr Harrison accompanied Britain in Bloom judges around the area earlier this month.
SVA will have to cut down and replace the damaged trees.
The offences occurred between Tuesday, August 19, and Sunday, August 24.
