A North East national park has said it is working with relevant agencies to hopefully make Sycamore Gap 'special again.'

Northumberland National Park (NNP) have said they are working together with the National Trust, other partners, and the public, and hope they can find a way of moving ahead and making Sycamore Gap a special place once again.

Northumbria Police confirmed yesterday (September 28) a full investigation has been launched after the Sycamore Gap Tree was felled overnight in what police believe was a deliberate act of vandalism.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after the historic tree that stood in Sycamore Gap, near Hadrian's Wall, was felled. 

Tony Gates, chief executive of NNP, said the park is working with partners following the loss, remaining hopeful of making Sycamore Gap a special destination once again.

He said: "I know Sycamore Gap means a lot to a lot of people.

"It's been really important since lockdown that everyone accesses the countryside.

"We've talked to the National Trust and other partners, and we've talked to the public, to you, who really find this an important and special place.

"Hopefully, we'll find a way together of moving ahead and making the Sycamore Gap a special place for all of us, and all of those memories we carry from the past, and make it special for us all once again.

"Please bear with us, we're still in the early days. We'll soon turn our minds to what we do next. We'll work with all of our partners, and we'll gauge with you, the public and anyone who loves this part of the world, as much as we can as we move forward."

 

NNP said 80 per cent or more of enquiries they receive concern those who want to visit the iconic landmark.

Sycamore Gap was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 in the Woodland Trust’s awards and is much-loved by people from across the world.

NNP has asked the public not to visit the site at this time whilst they work with partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe.

A range of enquiries are ongoing, with the support of partners, as Northumbria Police officers look to understand the full circumstances.

Superintendent Kevin Waring, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a world-renowned landmark and the events of today have caused significant shock, sadness and anger throughout the local community and beyond.

 

“An investigation was immediately launched following this vandalism, and this afternoon we have arrested one suspect in connection with our enquiries.

“Given our investigation remains at a very early stage, we are keeping an open mind.

“I am appealing to the public for information to assist us – if you have seen or heard anything suspicious that may be of interest to us, please let us know."