POLICE are stepping up patrols at a play area in Helmsley after two trees were vandalised.

Vandals snapped a tree at The Limes play area some months ago, but another tree was pulled out by its roots recently, prompting calls from the town council for more patrols.

Councillors discussed the problem at their monthly meeting on Monday evening.

Town clerk Victoria Ellis said that the damage could have possible been caused by children playing in the park, but despite the recent spate of bad weather she did not think the damage had been caused by the wind.

She said: “It is possible that the damage was caused by children playing but we haven’t had any complaints of any rowdy behaviour from neighbours around there.

“It could have been caused by someone swinging on the tree, but I don’t think the wind could have done it.”

The recently damaged tree, a 10ft Rowan, was “spindly”, according to the council, and after the vandalism was reported to the police, PCSOs have visited the site.

Ms Ellis said: “It was a spindly specimen which had been planted for some reason too close to another. The PCSO had a look and agreed it was in a bad way. The other PCSO said she would visit the area a bit more frequently to keep an eye on things.”

Councillors have not yet discussed whether the trees will be replaced. They also agreed that following the play areas annual inspection there was nothing high risk or urgent that needed to be done.