POLICE are stepping up patrols at a children’s play area in Helmsley after trees were vandalised.

Vandals snapped one tree at The Limes play area some months ago and another was pulled out by its roots recently, prompting calls from the town council for more patrols.

Town clerk Victoria Ellis said: “It is possible that the damage was caused by children playing but we haven’t had any complaints of any rowdy behaviour from neighbours around there.

“It could have been caused by someone swinging on the tree, but I don’t think the wind could have done it.”

The recently damaged tree, a 10ft rowan, was “spindly”, according to the council, and after the vandalism was reported to the police, community service officers visited the site.

Ms Ellis said: “It was a spindly specimen which had been planted for some reason too close to another.

“The PCSO had a look and agreed it was in a bad way. The other PCSO said she would visit the area a bit more frequently to keep an eye on things.”

The town councillors have yet to discuss whether the trees will be replaced. However they have agreed that, following the play area’s annual inspection, there was nothing high risk or urgent that needed to be done.