Southill Green Christmas tree stolen (From Dorset Echo)

Southill Green Christmas tree stolen

10:05am Monday 21st December 2009

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A CHRISTMAS tree donated for a community green was stolen less than 24 hours after it was planted.

The tree was planted on the Southill Green in Weymouth on Friday afternoon but it was gone by 4.30am the next morning.

The thieves left an envelope with a pine needle enclosed and writing on the reverse.

It read: ‘This tree is rubbish. Any danger of a bigger one? Cheers’.

It was signed by a name which looked like ‘Hoj’ followed by several kisses.

There was also a spot of blood on the Lloyds TSB envelope suggesting whoever stole the tree had cut themselves in process of removing it, which could be used as DNA evidence.

The stolen tree was donated to the community by the owner of the Balti House restaurant in Commercial Road, Shalim Abdul, who is also a resident of Southill.

The Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Anne Kenwood, helped to plant the tree alongside Mr Abdul and members of Southill Preservation Society.

Coun Anne Kenwood said: “This is something that just shouldn’t happen.

“The note is just nasty and it all seems a bit strange.

“I just hope who ever is responsible is caught because this is stealing from the community and it is sad for everyone.

“Some people just think of themselves and they do not think of other people.”

Mr Abdul said he was annoyed but not surprised by what had happened.

“Being a resident of Southill myself I wanted to do something for the community and it was going to be a lasting thing for years to come.

“But these things happen which is a shame.”

Police believe the tree was stolen sometime between 9pm on Friday evening and 4.30am on Saturday when a worker from Tidings Newsagents noticed it had gone.

The tree was picked because it was rooted and the idea was that it would grow and be there for future generations to appreciate.

The author of the note was in luck when it came to asking for a bigger tree because Dorchester-based Trinity Trees heard of the bad news and have now donated a 14ft tree.

Store manager of Trinity Trees Peter Hyde said that as the first tree was bought from them it wouldn’t seem right to charge them again.

“We were more than happy to donate a new one and this 14ft one is bigger and definitely harder to steal as it takes two men to lift it.”

Southill residents are delighted with this donation but are still deeply upset by theft of the original rooted tree.

Lindsay Drage, the joint secretary of the Southill Preservation Society, added: “I know it is only a tree but it was going to be for the children of the future.”

“It was a tree for the community given by the community so for this to happen is just awful.”

Anyone with information about the tree is urged to contact Dorset Police on 01202 222222.

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