Morley Town Council Confirms Christmas Tree Vandalism After Public Criticism

Morley Town Council has confirmed that its Christmas tree was subjected to vandalism, following public criticism regarding its “half-lit” state. Residents in Morley, located near Leeds, had previously speculated if contractors had intentionally illuminated only one side of the tree as a cost-saving measure. The display was widely condemned as “ridiculous” after photographs of the tree circulated on social media. Following an investigation, a spokesperson for Morley Town Council issued a statement, saying: “Sadly, the wonderful Christmas tree, located in the town centre off Queen Street, seems to have been the target of some unseasonal vandalism.” The spokesperson further clarified, stating: “The tree was fully illuminated after installation and normally it would have remained in this seasonal and welcoming state.” The investigation revealed that a broken wire or circuit was responsible for the failure of half of the lights. The spokesperson also stated: “Our contractor has scheduled a service call to try and mend the circuits, but in the interim and in the interest of public safety, we have had to disconnect the power to the tree.” They concluded by saying: “I would hope any reasonable resident would condemn the actions leading to this and understand that the council has acted in the best interests of public safety.”