Mystery gardeners are back, says Crawley council

Two men have been caught on CCTV illegally chopping back plants in Crawley town centre.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Feb 2016, 18:26 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2016, 08:06 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Council Gardeners Tony Oldfield and Andy Bull are frustrated at the damage caused to the Pittosporum Tom Thumb at Crawley Memorial Garden. Pic Steve Robards SR1603950 SUS-160802-170654001Council Gardeners Tony Oldfield and Andy Bull are frustrated at the damage caused to the Pittosporum Tom Thumb at Crawley Memorial Garden. Pic Steve Robards SR1603950 SUS-160802-170654001
Council Gardeners Tony Oldfield and Andy Bull are frustrated at the damage caused to the Pittosporum Tom Thumb at Crawley Memorial Garden. Pic Steve Robards SR1603950 SUS-160802-170654001

A borough council spokesman said the footage showed the pair parking a car in The Boulevard opposite the Town Hall and cutting pittasporum for ten to 15 minutes from 2.30am on Friday (February 12).

The plants were the same species as had been cut back in Memorial Gardens recently.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Unknown loppers struck at Memorial Gardens and at Northgate Parade where the pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ and camellia shrubs had been cut back.

Crawley Borough Council, which owns the gardens, alerted police to the criminal clipper. A spokesman said: “These shrubs are being cut at the wrong time of year so the pruner is not doing the council a favour.

“Instead he or she is having a negative impact on the look of the beautiful town centre park, which is gold rated by South East in Bloom.”

Council officers believed pruners may be taking cuttings to sell.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Councillor Colin Lloyd, cabinet member for Environmental Services, said: “We’re not sure of the motives of this pruner but even if they are not doing it maliciously, they are having a detrimental impact on the visual beauty of the Memorial Gardens.

“These species should not be cut at this time of year. If we have another cold spell they could be seriously damaged.”

Council gardeners are not in the gardens after 3pm from Monday to Friday and not at weekends at the moment.

A police spokesman said: “Police have received a report of bushes and shrubs being cut without permission in Memorial Gardens, Crawley.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The incident was reported at 2.14pm on Monday (1 February), though it is believed to have occurred sometime in the previous two weeks.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact [email protected] or call 101, quoting serial 801 of 1/2.”

* Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

1) Make our website your homepage at www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/crawleyobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @Crawley_Obby

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Crawley Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:Crawley Borough CouncilCCTVTown Hall