Man arrested over south London ‘tree massacre’

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage after 131 trees were cut down in south London.

Police were called to Cator Park in Bromley on Saturday morning over a dispute about the felling of trees that were under a protection order.

A local conservation group described what happened as “a tree massacre”.

The Met said officers spoke to a man in his 30s, advising work to cease. He was arrested when they returned after being informed the felling was continuing.

Several items were also seized, including chainsaws, the force said in a statement. The man was later released on bail.

Bromley Council officers approved the TPO last week and a sign was put on park gates saying the trees in the area were subject to the order for six months.

Sarah Counsell from the Cator Woodland Action Group said: “Early on Saturday morning, despite a TPO in place, a man instructed trees to be cut down in the field adjacent to the park.

“Concurrently there was also an attempt to bring a digger on to the site without permission, which was blocked by local members of the public.”