TWO men were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the felling of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree, Northumbria Police said.
The tree in Northumberland, believed to have been about 300 years old, was cut down overnight between September 27 and 28 in what police believe was a deliberate act of vandalism.
The force later said a 16-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage, and was then released on bail.
A man in his 60s was then arrested the following day and subsequently released.
Now, a further two men in their 30s have been arrested and since been released on police bail.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney-Menzies, of Northumbria Police, said: “The loss of Sycamore Gap has been felt deeply across the community as well as further afield.
“As a force, we have seen many touching tributes from those who have detailed what this iconic landmark meant for them personally and for our region.
“We’ve been working tirelessly to identify anyone responsible and bring them into police custody and we are committed to getting justice.
“I hope this recent wave of arrests demonstrates just how much work has been undertaken by our dedicated specialist teams in what has, so far, been a very difficult and complex investigation.”
