Christmas tree removed after reports of vandalism

A Christmas tree has been removed from a shopping centre after it was reportedly targeted by vandals.

Police were called to the decoration outside Leigh Park shopping centre in Havant, Hampshire, at about 18:00 GMT on Thursday.

Based in Park Parade, the tree has now been taken down following "consistent anti-social behaviour incidents", according to Havant Borough Council.

Christmas lights will instead be hung in the mall and will be switched on from 7 December.

A group of young people allegedly carried out the damage, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said.

The force added it would be reviewing CCTV to try to identify those involved.

A spokesperson for Havant Borough Council said: "We understand police were called several times during the evening to reports of a large group causing damage and committing antisocial behaviour around the tree and in Leigh Park shopping centre."

Havant Borough Council officers attended the scene on Friday, the spokesperson explained, and contractors removed the tree later the same day.

Wayne Layton, the borough council's head of Regeneration, Economic Development and Preventative Services, said he was "disappointed" the tree was being removed, but they needed to put people's safety first.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the police.

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