Met Police first tree felling case heard-following the destruction of a protected oak tree on Copthorne Gardens.

The Havering Daily attended a three day court hearing held at Romford Magistrates court that was a first for the Met Police. The case involves a protected oak tree that was felled on Copthorne Gardens in Hornchurch, in March 2021.

Residents who live on Copthorne Gardens woke up on Saturday 6 March 2021,to hear machinery being used on the patch of green land their homes face. When they saw what was happening, many rushed out and began objecting to what was happening. The much loved green space that contained many trees was in fact being bull dozed. Angry by what was happening, many residents chose to stand in front of the bull dozers to stop trees being destroyed. Residents were heartbroken to watch so much green, from bushes to trees, be wiped out within minutes.

The court heard how the police received six calls throughout the morning to Copthorne Gardens. How police officers had been deployed to calm the situation down as residents were angry and frustrated at the destruction of trees. Police had intervened to remove residents from in front of the bull dozers and how residents had told them that some trees had tree protection orders on them.

The Havering Daily was present on 6 March at Copthorne Gardens and saw the anger felt by locals. Councillors were also present at the scene. The council was contacted to let workers know that there was a tree with a protection order on it.

It was too late for this Oak tree that was despite this battle, felled and the stump was brought into court as part of the evidence.

The worker behind the digger, gave evidence on Wednesday this week, clearly stating that he was unaware of the tree protection order and that he had been given instructions to clear the area and push everything to the side.

Leading this case is PC Anthony Kiddle who is Havering’s Wildlife Crime Officer and very experienced in his role having done it for the last fifteen years. PC Kiddle gave evidence on Wednesday of how he was not on duty when the tree feeling had taken place, but was informed of the event on Monday when he returned to work. PC Kiddle visited the land may times and began his investigation into the tree felling and the tree protection order on the Oak tree in question.

Yesterday, 29 June, the court heard from the defendants landowners and land agents Mr Clemence and Mr Leslie who face six charges of causing a contravention of tree preservation regulations by cutting, uprooting or will fully destroying a tree.

The court heard how the tree protection orders had been placed in 1987 by Havering Council. Two Havering Council officers testified yesterday that only part of the order could be located.

This case is a first for the Met Police, and the verdict will now be heard at Barkingside Magistrates court on 25 July.

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