Newhailes vandalism: Police say exploded canisters found in Musselburgh woodland estate could cause 'horrific injuries' to children

Police have shared pictures showing the extent of destruction caused by vandals at a beauty spot in Musselburgh.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

During lockdown, Magdalene Woods, within the grounds of the Newhailes National Trust Estate, has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, with the Evening News reporting last week that the area was targeted by vandals.

Trees were chopped down, some had their bark stripped off, and others had fires set at their bases.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While conducting patrols in response to ongoing antisocial behaviour in the grounds of Newhailes House, Local Community officers discovered areas where further damage has been caused to trees and evidence of a large fire having being set under a tree.

In a Facebook post on Monday, East Lothian police said: “Due to the location of the fire and the trees close proximity to industrial units, this action clearly could have caused substantial damage.

“Furthermore, someone has destroyed a sheet of foam insulation and strewn it over a large area. This will take some time to clear up.

“However, a second fire was discovered having been set in a different part of the estate. Worryingly three exploded hairspray canisters were found in the remnants of the fire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Community officers would like to stress how extremely dangerous and reckless throwing a pressurised flammable can into a fire can be.”

Police in East Lothian have posted pictures of the damage caused by individuals in the grounds of Newhailes House, Musselburgh.Police in East Lothian have posted pictures of the damage caused by individuals in the grounds of Newhailes House, Musselburgh.
Police in East Lothian have posted pictures of the damage caused by individuals in the grounds of Newhailes House, Musselburgh.

The post concluded: “Please can parents remind their children about this danger, as there are numerous press articles detailing the horrific injuries to children that this action can result in.”

Anyone with information about any of the issues raised can contact Musselburgh Community Policing team on 101.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.