A local resident has hit out at the “mindlessness of kids today” after he witnessed three young people vandalise trees planted to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Mr Paul Ham, 68, who lives in Victoria Court, says he was awoken at 2am Monday by loud cracking noises coming from Bailey Park.

The former Department for Work and Pensions caseworker, says he saw two young men and a woman, laughing and joking as they swung on the trees, snapping two in half.

The trio left the remains of two saplings strewn across the area, before quickly making off towards town after being startled by Mr Ham’s camera flash as he tried to record them in the act.

“It’s mindless. It amazes me that the parents don’t know where their kids are at 2am on a Monday morning. If they don’t: they’ve failed as parents. It’s just another example of the mindlessness of kids today.”

The three sapling cherry trees were planted by local volunteer group Friends of Bailey Park to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Mr Ham said that a visual police presence could have prevented the vandalism from taking place, adding that similar incidents have occurred in the area over the last few years.

“With funding being reduced, there’s no police presence to act as a deterrent.”

Bailey Park has suffered similar vandalism in recent years. Last year saw the destruction of a Magnolia tree in the Sensory Garden, and vandals were also blamed for snapping a Cherry Tree within the grounds.

Tim Bradfield, Monmouthshire County Council manager for commercial and green spaces, said the council and Friends of Bailey Park shared disgust at the latest attack, and asked for those with information to come forward.

“We were disgusted to discover that two of three cherry trees planted a number of years ago by the Friends of Bailey Park had been snapped at ground level. 

“We appeal to anyone with any information about this wanton vandalism to report it to the police or to contact the council. Having spoken to a member of the Friends of Bailey Park I’m aware that his organisation is equally disgusted and demoralised by this act.”

Gwent Police have asked for anyone with information to contact them on 101, quoting Log Number 152 25/1/16.