VOLUNTEERS working to redevelop Helensburgh’s much-loved Hermitage Park say they have been “left wondering whether it is worth continuing” after a newly planted memorial tree was allegedly stolen over the weekend.

The Advertiser reported this week that a six-foot tall tree which had been planted in January by an English couple to commemorate their Helensburgh parents had been ripped out of the ground and removed from the site.

It's the fifth tree - four of which were planted in memory of loved ones - to have been stolen since a £3.3 million renovation project began.

READ MORE: £500 memorial tree stolen from Hermitage Park

The Friends of Hermitage Park, who are working with Argyll and Bute Council on the regeneration of the park, say they are “incredibly disheartened and angry about this selfish criminal act”.

Group chair Fiona Baker said: “Taking on saving Hermitage Park is an ambitious project and we have worked hard to get this far.

“Now that the building work is nearly finished and we are at the planting stage we were really looking forward to making the gardens beautiful again.

“We have £16,000 worth of plants about to go in but of course we are left wondering if we should bother if folk think it is OK to just come and rip them out and steal them.”

The project has experienced several instances of vandalism in recent months, including damage to the new Passivhaus pavilion and to a newly-installed picnic bench.

READ MORE: Vandals cause £15,000 of damage to new Hermitage Park pavilion

Despite feeling disheartened, the Friends insist that there has been a lot more positive stories about the park than negative ones, and they hope to continue working with the local community to deliver the finished project.

Fiona continued: “We all know it is a very small minority that are actively vandalising things and causing trouble - and the tree was not vandalised. I was stolen by someone who knew exactly what it was.

“The park is for everyone of all ages and the team are trying to engage with the teenagers that hang out there and encourage them to look after it, throwing them out is not the answer.

“We have enjoyed a huge amount of community support for the project and we really do need it now, we need people to come together to protect and support the park.

“The new pavilion has CCTV within it and a camera is going up in the middle of the park, which may help but it is impossible to monitor everywhere all the time. We need the community to help us stop this selfish behaviour.”

READ MORE: IN PICTURES - Helensburgh park's rebirth is almost complete

Argyll and Bute councillor Ellen Morton said: “It’s very disappointing to be discussing another bit of damage done to the park, and particularly since this time it’s a memorial tree which has been stolen.

“It’s not just upsetting for the volunteers but also for the families who have donated a tree, so it’s upset on a whole lot of different levels.

“Everyone will assume that it’s young people who have done this and that is also upsetting, as although it is usually the case, I wouldn’t like to see young people blamed generally. Other young people are helping out in other ways in the park.

“My message to the volunteers is a difficult one, because I understand how disgusted and frustrated they must be. But the message would be don’t give up. The answer is not to let the bad beat the good in this instance.”

READ MORE: Volunteers 'sickened' by latest Hermitage Park vandalism

Norman Muir, Helensburgh Community Council convener, said: “It is extraordinary that no one saw anything untoward or investigated action to prevent a recurrence.

“One frankly wonders at the mindset of the individuals who do this sort of thing.

“One thing is clear that surveillance in and lighting of the park need to be reassessed for long term security.”

A woman was reportedly seen near the park with a tree in a pram, although it is not yet known whether she was responsible for the theft.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Helensburgh police station on 101.