A Christmas tree that has stood in a village for more than 10 years has been cut down.
The tree in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, was believed to have been deliberately felled at about 23:20 GMT on Wednesday, Durham Police said.
The Christmas lights switch-on had taken place just hours before.
PC David Allen, from Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team, said it was “a disgusting act of mindless vandalism, which has caused huge upset throughout the village”.
“We are treating this incident extremely seriously and we will deal with anyone responsible as robustly as the law allows,” Mr Allen said.
The force has appealed for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or doorbell footage of anyone acting suspicious in the area to get in touch.
