Covert operation caught youths damaging an ancient woodland.

A BMX bike riding gang had dug trenches through the root system of a 200-year-old oak tree in Tanglewood, Great Horkesley.

And people walking through the protected wood at the end of Green Lane were horrified to find the roots and tree itself had been hacked at.

Conservationist Jonathan Richmond got together with Great Horkesley's rural beat police officers and members of the parish council to snare the young culprits.

But every time police were called the bikers escaped through the woodland.

So Mr Richmond staked out the woodland with a video camera and filmed the eight-strong gang causing their mayhem.

He said: "They were digging the trenches to create an obstacle course for BMX bikes which is a great pity. I told them they were committing a criminal offence and they took no notice at all."

But armed with the video evidence the youths were tracked down and cautioned by police.

Mr Richmond said: "It is quite alarming for people using the footpath through the wood to be confronted with a large group like that.

"Their parents have been informed. It has been handled very tactfully by police and the Great Horkesley tree warden."

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