Tree vandalism has once again taken root in north Hackney, with the latest incidents reported on 14 March along Benthal Road, where two street trees appear to have been deliberately damaged.
The attacks are part of an ongoing spree that has affected dozens of trees in the borough.
Cazenove resident Mark Westcott is calling for stronger action from Hackney Council and the police to stop the destruction.
“We care about these trees, and this feels like an assault on us. They’re personal to us, they soften the edges of this hard urban environment,” he said.
Damage has ranged from removing and breaking branches to snapping whole trees in half.
Westcott said: “There is a localised wave of attacks that follow a similar pattern. All these attacks string out along Northwold Road, running from Upper Clapton Road to Stoke Newington Common.”
This latest spate of vandalism began in December 2024, since when Westcott estimates that more than 60 trees have been damaged in this time, mirroring a similar spree in 2022.
It is unknown whether the attacks are connected.
Hackney Council has responded by putting up posters warning against criminal damage and encouraging residents to report new incidents.
The signs warn “any deliberate damage to street trees is an offence and will be treated as criminal damage”.
But Westcott believes this approach is counterproductive. “It’s like a red rag to a bull. It just inspires more attacks, and the posters all very quickly get torn down,” he said.
Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas OBE, Hackney’s cabinet member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services, said: “We are supporting the police with their investigation to find those responsible. We urge residents to report any vandalism of street trees by contacting the police.”
Lily Scaplehorn - community reporter for Clissold - former political reporter at Radio Cardiff and Bro Radio