COPS have arrested a man after vandals ripped parking signs from Winnie-the-Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood.
The fictional setting of the kids' stories was inspired by Ashdown Forest, a woodland close to author A.A.Milne's home in the village of Hartfield near Crowborough, East Sussex.
Up until November last year, it had always been free to park in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
But conservators voted to introduce parking fees across the 10-square-mile wood – arguing the money is vital to maintaining paths and clearing litter.
Signage displaying the charges has been defaced numerous times since the scheme was launched, with the vandalism coming to a head in recent weeks when signposts were stolen from 18 of the Forest's 45 car parks.
While the parking is managed by private contractor Horizon Parking Ltd – whose attendants maintain the notices and machines – the Ashdown Forest Trust says these signs will have to be replaced at a cost to the charity itself.
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Each car park has both an entry sign and a larger terms and conditions notice, which are £99 each to purchase – so this is likely to cost in the region of £3,500 to replace.
Now cops have revealed they have arrested a 56-year-old man man in connection with the incidents.
A Sussex Police spokesperson said: "Police have arrested a man after a spate of damage to parking signs in Ashdown Forest.
"The 56-year-old man was arrested on 19 October on suspicion of criminal damage following a report of a car park sign being pulled off a wooden post and thrown into nearby bushes on 11 October.
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"He was interviewed and has been released on bail while the investigation is ongoing.
"From November 2022 to October 2023, multiple reports have been received of parking signs being destroyed or damaged across the forest."
Inspector Andy Barker, of the Sussex Police Rural Crime Team, added: “The forest is one of the largest open areas in the South East, and a safe space for our communities and visitors to enjoy all year round. We are dedicated to keeping it this way and take all reports of criminality seriously.”
Ash Walmsley, Ashdown Forest Countryside Manager, said earlier this month: "It is a shame that a few people, perhaps just one, seem intent on disrupting thes cheme, but the police are aware and together with Horizon we are working on ways to maintain and protect the parking scheme and thus continue to improve visitor infrastructure across the Forest.
"Despite these attacks we remain committed to improving the Forest for the benefit of everyone.”
The parking charges were met with anger from local residents and visitors to the Forest when they were introduced last year.
A public consultation held at the time saw more than half of those who took part reject the move – with 43 per cent of the 2,800 respondents disagreeing strongly with the proposal, and a further 11 per cent disagreeing slightly.
Since November there have been 93 penalty parking charge notices issued at the home of the original Pooh Sticks Bridge, The Enchanted Place and Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place.
Visitors pay £2 to park for an hour, £2.50 for two hours, £4 for four hours, £5 for the whole day, or £80 for an annual pass.
Those on low incomes, including Universal and Pension Credit, can apply for a discounted annual pass, which costs just £5, while Blue Badge holders park for free.
Conservators say the money made from parking charges over the past year has significantly contributed to the ongoing maintenance of the Forest’s infrastructure.
The income generated has so far been used to improve paths and tracks, maintain or replace gates and bridges, fix potholes in car parks and restore eroded entrances and exits.
Ash added: “We would like to thank everyone who has visited the Forest and contributed by paying to park.
"We receive more than 1.4 million visits a year which all create some impact on the Forest.
"We believe our visitors understand that their contribution from parking payments in the Forest car parks contribute towards the protection and maintenance of this rare and beautiful landscape and keeps the Forest accessible and safe for all our visitors.
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"We believe people have begun to see the positive changes we are making with parking revenues and hope they will continue to come and enjoy everything the Forest has to offer.”
Police are urging anyone who witnesses any suspicious behaviour in the area, or who has any information relating to the damage, is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 quoting serial 47230200503.
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