Locals, councillors and the police have united in condemning "shameful vandalism" after ten young trees were snapped in half in Ivybridge’s oldest park.

The vandalism occurred overnight last Thursday to Friday in Victoria Park, a peaceful and popular space in the centre of Ivybridge.

And now the hunt is on to find the culprits, with calls for them to come forward, or anyone with any information to get in touch with police.

The park is owned and cared for by Ivybridge Town Council. Town clerk Lesley Hughes said: “We can only express our huge disappointment that a few unthinking and uncaring individuals have vandalised the trees, which had been carefully chosen to reflect the fact that Victoria Park is in the conservation area and is the towns oldest park.

"We had been trying to enhance the area by planting trees which would bring pleasure to people into the next century, but sadly they only lasted a couple of months.

"This is the second time it has occurred so we do have to wonder if it is worth trying to replant again, only to face the additional cost and disappointment that each bout of damage brings to the town.

"If there is a chance that any public spirited individual would know who the vandals were then please contact the local police.”

PC Tamsyn Dingley, neighbourhood beat manager for Ivybridge North said: "It is mindless damage and at this stage we cannot say if it was youths or not. There is an increased amount of antisocial activity going on in this park and we have increased our patrols.

"We urge anyone who has any information to get in touch with us."

Putting out a call for information on social media, a spokesman for Ivybridge and Rural Police called the attack "utterly mindless destruction". They added: "Please help us find who may have done this. Did you walk through or near the park or see anyone hanging around? However small the information it sometimes builds a bigger picture."

On Monday police posted an update saying they were still looking for the vandals, and paying tribute to a resident who had tried to repair one of the trees. The spokesman said: "That’s what community is all about."

Townsfolk added their voices to calls for information, Tracey Weaver saying: "They need to be caught and taught to value their community. Shameful vandalism.

"Please speak up if you know anything."

Jacqui Osborne added: "I saw this this morning, it’s so sad every young tree is just snapped. If you’re reading this and you did it you should be ashamed of yourself."

South Hams District Council chairman and Ivybridge East councillor Kathy Cuthbert was quick to condemn the damage, saying she had been told about it by a devastated family. She said: "I was talking to a young couple who asked me if I had seen the damage to the trees in Victoria Park - the little boy was particularly upset as he goes to Erme Primary and plays in the park.

"We were appalled to see that nine young trees had been damaged in what seemed to be a senseless act of vandalism. I struggle to see why anyone would want to cause such damage to a lovely park used by so many community members including the school children from the Erme."

She added: "I’m sure South Hams District Council’s specialist officers will support the town council to save any of the the trees if at all possible. Ivybridge Town Council work so hard on our behalf to maintain green space in the town and this destructive act of vandalism has upset so many people.

"I appeal to anyone who may have information to contact our local police who are dealing with the matter."

And fellow South Hams District Council member for Ivybridge East Cllr Karen Pringle, Ivybridge East Ward SHDC said: "Yes it is disgraceful that people would want to damage these trees. It is senseless and you have to ask yourself why would people want to do that and for what purpose.

"I would hope that the culprits or anyone who knows the culprits will come forward, because we cannot make our parks lovely places for our residents and community to enjoy, especially in this summer weather, when you are faced with this all the time.

"I just hope someone does the right thing."