In a press statement Thursday morning, Northumbria Police condemned the act of vandalism and launched a range of enquiries, encouraging anyone with information to get in touch. Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness expressed her sorrow at the loss of the landmark - "I’m devastated that the famous Sycamore is gone. That tree was ours. It was an iconic North East landmark standing tall in our beautiful Northumberland".
Taking to social media, Mayor Jamie Driscoll of the North of Tyne authority expressed his sentiments "I can't express how angry I am at the vandalism of the tree at Sycamore Gap. People have had their ashes scattered there. People have proposed there. I've picnicked there with my wife and kids. It's part of our collective soul. We must bring whoever did this to justice."
Tributes to the Northumbrian landmark have flooded social media with many expressing anger and shock but many sharing personal stories and photographs.
The arrest of the teenage suspect came Thursday afternoon, with PCC Kim McGuiness issuing a further statement:
“Northumbria Police have acted fast, showing their dedication to the region and now a 16-year-old male is in custody.
This senseless crime has forever damaged an icon in the North East, I think we all as a region feel shocked at what has happened.
Sycamore Gap was a place of happy and moving memories for millions of people, and a symbol of home for people around the world.
It’s important now that we let justice take its course, and my thanks are with our hardworking police officers for their actions today.”
