A TREE planted on a village green as a symbol of rural unity has been vandalised in the fifth attack of its kind over several years.

The oak sapling, on the central green in Osmotherley, near Northallerton, was attacked last Friday night by someone wielding a hack saw. It is the latest in a line of attacks and mishaps.

The first tree was a gift from the North York Moors National Park Authority. It was planted on the green several years ago to celebrate the anniversary of the parish council.

It and two replacements have since been destroyed.

Coun Phil Shaw, chairman of the parish council said: "It is like someone is trying to tell us something.

"It is rather baffling. I just don't understand the mentality of someone who came around with a saw to cut through the tree. It is perhaps a reflection of the times we live in."

The parish council met last night to debate whether to buy another replacement.

It is the latest incident in a mini-crimewave that is making residents uneasy. Other crimes committed include car theft and stealing rocks from dry stone walls.

"It is fair to say that we are going through a spate of it," said Coun Shaw. "We had a quiet period last year because of foot-and-mouth. We put this down to the lack of tourists and the villains who are attracted by tourists.

"Whether it is any worse now than two years ago is hard to tell. "

He said the theft of stone from dry stone walls was definitely a growing problem, particularly on the stretch between the village and Sheep Wash.

"This has been going on for three or four months now and the poor farmer is having a job to keep his sheep in."