Cherry trees stolen from park in 'selfish act'

Three cherry blossom trees, which had been planted in a city park as part of a project of unity between Japan and the UK, have been stolen.

The saplings had been gifted by the Sakura Cherry Tree project and planted at the Arnos Court Park in Bristol, but disappeared earlier this week.

The project has seen more than 8,000 cherry trees planted across the UK since it launched in 2019, including at a number of other locations in and near Bristol.

Councillor Andrew Varney, who represents Brislington West, said he was surprised and disappointed at what he called a "selfish act" by thieves.

Mr Varney told the BBC a council officer noticed on Sunday that one sapling had disappeared, and upon visiting the park himself on Tuesday he found the remaining two were also stolen.

"The whole lot has gone, including the stakes and the supporting wire," he said.

"It's not as if they were snapped or damaged, or vandalised in some way. I think they've probably been taken to be placed elsewhere."

Bristol City Council said it will now seek more mature replacements, but planting will not be possible until December.

Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the public health and communities committee, said he was "saddened" by the theft.

"I'm grateful to my colleague Andrew Varney for alerting us to this outrageous theft from the park in his ward.

"Acts like this not only damage our shared environment but also take away something many residents enjoy."

Bristol City Council said it had not yet received a crime reference number from Avon and Somerset Police, but had reported the crime.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.