EXCLUSIVE: Hard work by Havering Police Officer secures win in Met’s first tree protection order case.

The Metropolitan Police yesterday, 9 August, won its first tree protection order case thanks to the hard work and dedication of Havering Police’s Wildlife officer. PC Anthony Kiddle bought a tree felling case to the CPS in 2021 after a protected Oak tree in Hornchurch was deliberately felled. It was the first case of its kind not only for the borough of Havering, but for the Met and was won yesterday at Barkingside Magistrates Court where the judge found the two defendants guilty.

Richard Clemence and Miles Leslie went on trial in June over a protected Oak tree that was cut in March 2021. The Oak tree was part of numerous trees that were felled on Copthorne Gardens in Hornchurch much to the anger of local residents.

They had awoken on Saturday 6 March to find diggers and chainsaws destroying a patch of green in front of their homes. The area contained trees including the Oak tree and many bushes that formed a piece of green that residents had come to love. Locals were angry and very upset, with many choosing to stand in front of the diggers to stop the men from destroying the green.

Sadly, the green was destroyed and the Oak tree with the tree protection order was cut down.

PC Anthony Kiddle visited the site on Monday 8 March to see the damage that had been done and began to investigate the destruction of the Oak tree that had the tpo. He worked closely with Havering Council and after much hard work and commitment, deemed it correct to bring this case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

In court, the defence had argued that vital documents were missing by Havering Council in regards to the tree protection order that had been placed in 1987. The protection order was indeed for Oak and Hawthorne trees on the land. The two defendants also claimed that residents had been on the land to plant trees and had then asked the council to place tpo on trees that they had planted.

However, at yesterday’s verdict hearing, the judge ruled in favour of PC Kiddle and found both defendants guilty of the felling of the Oak tree knowing that it had a tpo on it.

The sentencing is due to take place on 14 August.

This is an incredible landmark victory of its kind across the country that has been won by the Met Police thanks to Havering’s Wildlife Officer PC Kiddle. It is also a victory for residents of Copthorne Gardens who were so upset by the felling of this particular tree and all the others on the green.

This victory will hopefully set a precedent for others looking to destroy trees with protection orders on them.

PC Anthony Kiddle outside Barkingside Magistrates Court after the landmark ruling.

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