THE man in charge of planting in Petersfield has lashed out at the vandals who hacked in half two freshly planted trees. Christian Dupont, who is contracted by Petersfield Town Council to carry out planting on its land, has branded the mindless saw attack at the Avenue Playing Fields as "pathetic". He said: "I'm sick of these people. Every time we try to do something for this town, somebody comes along and wrecks it. "Someone has actually gone out there with a saw with the specific intention of cutting the trees in half. "The cost is not really the issue, I just don't understand the mentality of the people who do this. It's pathetic." The two trees formed part of an enhancement project in the grounds surrounding the Avenue Pavilion – a building subjected to criminal damage in recent years. Mr Dupont and the town council had hoped the project would help turn the area into a beauty spot. But the vandalism is sure to have been a slap in the face for those who have worked on improving the area. "The council and everyone was keen for this to take place, and it was really beginning to take shape," said Mr Dupont, who works for grounds maintenance specialist Philip Voice Ltd. "We thought that we were making a real difference." The damage has also been greeted with anger and disappointment by Petersfield Town Council grounds committee chairman Chris Jenner. He told The Herald: "This was mindless thuggery. "The police have got to catch the culprits and punish them. It's all very well saying there's nothing for young people to do in the town, but that doesn't mean they have to go out and do something like this." Anyone with information should contact the police on 0845 0454545.
