Two arrested for felling iconic 300-year-old tree in Northern England

LONDON, Sept 30: Another person has been arrested for suspicion of felling a 300-year-old Sycamore Gap tree in northern England, bringing the total to two.

The male suspect in his 60s has been arrested as part of the investigation into the felling of the tree, Anadolu Agency quoted Northumbria Police as saying in a statement.

A 16-year-old male was arrested Thursday but later released on bail after the incident at Hadrian’s Wall in what police said was “a deliberate act of vandalism.”

Police said a range of inquiries have been ongoing, with the support of partners since the beginning of the investigation.

“The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpour shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield,” Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney-Menzies said in the statement.

According to media reports, the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland was cut down overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.

It was made famous in a key scene in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves” and was among the UK’s most photographed trees.

— BERNAMA-ANADOLU