Swansea Bay NewsSHOCKING: 70 trees at Parc Llewelyn in Swansea deliberately vandalised with knives in "worst example in 33 years." Council appeals for witnesses. Even Japanese cherry trees weren't spared. Police investigating. Crime ref: 2600037943
Editor‘Worst he’s seen in 33 years’ – Council appeals for witnesses after 70 trees vandalised in Swansea park
The council has described the damage as the worst example of tree vandalism a staff member has seen in 33 years of service. The issue has been reported to South Wales Police and the council is urging anyone with information to come forward.
Almost all the new trees planted in the much-loved community park over the last 15 years have been attacked. Parks staff discovered last week that the trees had been hacked at with a knife or small bladed tool, with the bark stripped away by pulling.
A young tree at Parc Llewelyn in Swansea shows deep knife cuts to its trunk, one of 70 trees deliberately vandalised in the park.(Image: Swansea Council)Bark has been stripped from a tree at Parc Llewelyn, exposing the inner wood in an apparent attempt to kill it.
(Image: Swansea Council)A council parks worker examines one of the 70 damaged trees at Parc Llewelyn, described as the worst example of tree vandalism seen in 33 years of service.
(Image: Swansea Council)
Among the damaged trees were cherry trees donated to Swansea by the Japanese consulate in Wales.
Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services at Swansea Council, condemned the attack, calling it an “insult to the local community.”
“Someone will know who did this and I’d urge them to come forward and report it to police. They can do it anonymously if they want,” he said.
“The extent of the damage to so many trees would have taken a long time with a concerted effort, going tree to tree both sides of the paths and off into the centre of muddy fields. Cherry trees donated to Swansea by the Japanese consulate in Wales were not spared. It’s just very shaming.”
He added:
“This kind of damage is shocking and an insult to the local community that’s seen these trees grow and thrive.”
Multiple knife wounds are visible on a young tree at Parc Llewelyn, where vandals went “tree to tree both sides of the paths and off into the centre of muddy fields.”(Image: Swansea Council)A protective guard around a young tree at Parc Llewelyn was no deterrent to vandals who hacked at the trunk with a knife or small bladed tool.
(Image: Swansea Council)Bark has been pulled away from a tree at Parc Llewelyn, exposing the inner wood. The damage was discovered by parks staff last week.
(Image: Swansea Council)The extent of the vandalism at Parc Llewelyn is visible in this image showing a birch tree with its bark completely stripped in a spiral pattern.
(Image: Swansea Council)
Parc Llewelyn recently celebrated the opening of an upgraded play area, making it a popular destination for families in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to report it to the police, quoting crime reference number 2600037943.
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New trail launched on Tawe Trails history app
The latest addition — an audio‑only Tawe navigation trail — has been created for passengers on the popular Copper Jack River Cruise, offering a guided journey up and down the River Tawe packed with stories from the city’s industrial past.
It joins six other trails already available, covering Hafod Morfa Copperworks, White Rock, Parc Llewelyn, Swansea Canal at Clydach, Morriston Park and the wider Lower Swansea Valley.
Copper Jack Cruise(Image: Copper Jack)
The app, developed by Swansea Council’s regeneration team and funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, features interactive maps, waypoint pins, high‑quality images, satellite and street views, selfie postcard frames, accessibility settings and offline functionality. Content is available in English and Welsh, including audio narration.
Council cabinet member Robert Francis‑Davies said it was encouraging to see more than 700 downloads so far, with that figure expected to rise over the school holidays.
“The Lower Swansea Valley was at the heart of the copper industry that helped spread Swansea’s name across the world,” he said. “Thanks to the app, people will learn that Swansea’s story is Britain’s story — and we’re sharing it in the most modern way.”
The newest trail also includes accessibility and safety advice, along with background on historic sites such as Lougher Castle, Oxwich Castle, Weobley Castle and Pennard Castle.
The Tawe Trails app is free to download from the iTunes Store and Google Play.
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Swansea Bay parks and green spaces recognised among world’s best with Green Flag awards
Keep Wales Tidy has confirmed that Wales now flies more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country worldwide, with a record-breaking 315 sites recognised this year — including 223 community spaces.
Among the winners are six of Swansea’s main parks, including Clyne Gardens, Singleton Botanical Gardens, Brynmill Park, Parc Llewelyn, Cwmdonkin Park and Victoria Park. All are managed by Swansea Council and welcome thousands of visitors annually.
Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Our city is blessed with some beautiful parks which we are proud of and work hard to maintain. They all provide a space where families and visitors can relax, have fun and enjoy the outdoors. I’m thrilled that these locations have been recognised on a national level.”
Victoria Park next to Swansea’s Patti Pavilion(Image: Swansea Council)Singleton Park’s Botanical Gardens
(Image: Swansea Council)
Additional Green Flag Awards have been given to Swansea University Singleton Campus, Penllergare Valley Woods, and Mount Pleasant Hospital, managed by Coastal Housing Group.
Thirteen community-based gardens and green spaces in Swansea also received Green Flag Community Awards, including Friends of Coed Gwilym Park, Pontlliw Park, Swansea Canal, Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden, Swansea Community Farm and Coedbach Park.
Cllr Francis-Davies added: “It’s great to see a large number of community gardens get recognition for what they offer residents. This is largely down to community groups and volunteers, who take it upon themselves to look after these green spaces and make sure that wherever you live in Swansea, there is certain to be somewhere nearby that families can visit.”
In Neath Port Talbot, a wide range of parks and gardens have also achieved Green Flag status, including Gnoll Estate Country Park, Margam Country Park, Talbot Memorial Park, Victoria Gardens, and Swansea University Bay Campus Grounds.
Community Awards were also given to Amman Valley Trotting Club, Cilybebyll Community Growers, Craig Gwladus Country Park, The Friends and Neighbours Centre, Gardd y Pobl, Sandfields Community Garden, Cwmafan Community Orchard, Glantawe Riverside Park, Vivian Park Nature Garden, and The Lane Community Garden.
A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesperson said: “These awards signify parks and community green spaces which have met very high standards and they represent a reward for outstanding environmental and gardening efforts and the maintenance of excellent visitor facilities. These are awards are due to a great team effort from our dedicated staff and from many hard working, much appreciated volunteers from our local communities.”
Margam Green Flag Award 2025(Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)Gnoll’s Green Flag Award for 2025
(Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)
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Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said: “We’re thrilled that green spaces managed by Swansea Council and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council have once again achieved the prestigious Green Flag status — a true testament to the dedication and hard work of the many staff and volunteers who care for them.”
The Green Flag Award is delivered in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy and supported by Welsh Government. Sites are judged against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management and community involvement.
Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who holds responsibility for Climate Change, said: “I am very proud that Wales continues to lead the world in community-awarded green flag sites. Our local green spaces play a vital role in connecting us to nature, supporting biodiversity and providing opportunities for healthy recreation.”
A full list of Green Flag and Green Flag Community Award winners for 2025/26 can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website.
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