image source, Torbay Council
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- Author, Guy Henderson
- Role, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Extra protection could be provided for a Christmas light display after a tree was damaged by people climbing on it, a city councilor has said.
CCTV videos shared on social media showed two women climbing spiral metal tree frames along the Bay of Lights Illumination Trail at Torquay harbor in Devon in the early hours of Sunday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Torbay City Council said their actions were “dangerous, costly to repair and spoiling the experience for others”.
It said the tree's frame had been damaged and some lights needed to be replaced, so additional barriers and safety measures were being considered.
The video showed a woman scaling the low fence surrounding the tree and climbing about 6 meters (20 feet) to the top, where she waved a decorative star at her friends, one of whom filmed her with a cellphone.
Then another woman climbed the tree to join her friend.
Torbay City Council said: “The 1.5 mile accessible route features stunning light installations designed to be admired – not climbed, touched or played with.”
“Organizing this event requires a lot of time, effort and resources to make it special for you and our visitors.
“Please respect the installations and report any damage or vandalism to the police.”
The Christmas route, with a number of illuminated elements, including a decorated Christmas tree, runs between Torre Abbey and the port.
Last year the Christmas trail was vandalized and lights were broken in what councilor David Thomas described as an act of “mindless behaviour”.