The Christmas Tree has been vandalised

Preston’s Christmas Tree is no longer a twinkling beacon on the Flag Market.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and say a ‘drunken buffoon’ has damaged the tree.

Sections of the lights have been ripped from the tree during the weekend.

PCSO Stephen Connolly said: “Recognise this nice looking Christmas tree on Preston Flag Market? It would appear that some drunken buffoon has taken to damaging over the weekend. Sections of the lights have been ripped off the tree causing most of the other lights to not work as well as the wooden panels having a hole punched/kicked into it and a strip of wood being ripped off.

“Both Preston City Council & Preston BID have spent money on making Preston look fantastic this time of year and the last thing the city centre needs is someone wasting time and money to repair such displays after mindless damage.

“Remember causing damage is a criminal offence and can see you arrested & put in front of the courts which could see a maximum of 3 months imprisonment or £2500 fine. Alternatively officers could choose to give you a £90 on the spot fine, the last thing you want less than 2 weeks until Christmas.”

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Anyone with information on the damage to the Christmas tree can be reported to police by calling 101.