Authorities have unveiled a photograph of an individual they are eager to question regarding the recent toppling of a cherished Christmas tree in a local village.

The image, circulated by Durham Constabulary, depicts a man believed to be linked to the incident that occurred in Shotton Colliery, County Durham. The tree, a symbol of community spirit, was felled between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on the evening of December 10.

Security cameras captured the individual donning a black hoodie and carrying a white sling bag, prompting the police to seek the public’s help in identifying him.

This act of vandalism, described by local officials as “disgusting and mindless,” came just hours after the festive lights had been ceremoniously switched on, marking the beginning of the holiday season.

According to the police, the tree, a fixture in the village for over a decade, appears to have been intentionally cut down. The community has been left shocked and disheartened by this deliberate destruction.

In the wake of the incident, one person has already faced court proceedings, while another suspect, a 23-year-old, is currently released under investigation as inquiries continue.

The spruce had stood in the village for more than a decade, doubling as a monument to soldiers who died in the First World War.

A plaque nearby reads: ‘This tree is to commemorate the men and women of Shotton Colliery who served in the First World War and gave their live for the freedom we have today.’

Police want to speak to the man seen here in connection with the felling of a Christmas tree

The felling is believed to have taken place between 10pm and 11pm on December 10

Residents had raised funds to plant the tree which is decorated with fairy lights every December.

After the felling, a spokesman for the local church called for the perpetrators to be ‘punished by the authorities’. 

A Facebook post from St Saviour’s Church reads: ‘Late last night it was reported that Shotton Colliery’s Christmas Tree had been cut down after all the people who gave their time and effort to raised funds to get a tree for the village.

‘This morning a tree surgeon has looked at the damage and said it’s been done with a chainsaw.

‘May the people who caused this be caught and punished by the authorities.’ 

While the police search for their suspect, the tree has been bolted back up with turf wrapped around its trunk as a temporary fix while residents raise funds for its replacement.

Stephen Maitland, chairman of Shotton Colliery residents’ association, said: ‘I was absolutely devastated when the tree was chopped down. It meant so much to so many people.

‘But I do feel a little bit better now, with the crowdfunding, and how people have reacted in the village

The ‘disgusting act of mindless vandalism’ took place just hours after the Christmas light had been switched on

The tree doubled as a memorial to residents of Shotton Colliery who served in the First World War

‘The night it was felled, I was going to pack in all the work I do with the police and council, but the support that’s been offered has changed my mind.’

Mr Maitland said that £2,680 has been raised so far to replace the imported tree from Italy. He added that he was not sure how much money was needed to replace it.

He continued: ‘The fix we’ve got in place now, should last for the festive period.

‘We have some ornamental grass, which we’ve wrapped around the trunk, and it looks like it hasn’t been touched.

‘I am in a more positive frame of mind now, and I am over the moon there’s been an arrest.’

Durham Police previously described the felling as ‘a disgusting act of mindless vandalism’.

It comes after Dylan James McNamara, 26, of Bruce Glazier Terrace appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates on Saturday, December 13.

He pleaded not guilty to a single charge of criminal damage of the tree memorial.

A tree surgeon determined that it had been chopped down with a chainsaw, the local church said in a Facebook post

A crime scene investigator takes pictures at the scene of the tree felling in Shotton Colliery on December 13

McNamara elected trial before magistrates and was granted bail pending a trial which is scheduled to take place at the same court in May 2026. 

A second man, aged 23, was released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out.

Crime scene investigators were pictured at the scene of the tree felling last week.

They were seen bagging evidence and taking pictures of the tree.

PC David Allan, from Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team, previously said: ‘This was a disgusting act of mindless vandalism, which has caused huge upset throughout the village at a time when our community should be coming together.

‘We are treating this incident extremely seriously, and we will deal with anyone responsible as robustly as the law allows.

‘This behaviour has no place in our community. Someone knows something – please help us find who is responsible.’

Anyone with any information that could help the investigation should contact PC 9778 Allan via email at david.allan2@durham.police.uk quoting crime reference number CRI00653425.