Undercliffe allotment plot-holders fed up with site vandalism (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Undercliffe allotment plot-holders fed up with site vandalism

9:00am Friday 26th October 2012 in News

Albert Greenwood in his vandalised greenhouse on the Stanacre Allotments which have been targeted by yobs

Frightened allotment holders in Bradford are fed up of being “terrorised” by vandals and thieves.

Plots at Stanacre in Northallerton road, Undercliffe, have been targeted on a nightly basis for the past three months by yobs who have pushed over a dry-stone wall, smashed greenhouse glass, kicked in gates, stolen tools and equipment and ripped up produce.

Helen Scott, who has a plot at the Bradford Council-owned site in Northallerton Road with husband Kevin, said elderly plot-holders are being put off going along to Stanacre.

She said: “Some of the older men have had allotments at Stanacre for many, many years and they have developed a network of support and friends which has seen them through recent cancer diagnosis, death of loved ones, and stroke.

“The continued vandalism is becoming intolerable and a major source of stress for everybody.”

Mrs Scott, a plot-holder for about three-and-a-half years, added: “The plot-holders take a lot of pride in their allotments. Those responsible are not just destroying property, they are destroying the pride as well.

“The allotment holders have tried to get on with it, but it is becoming too much.

“We could understand people breaking in for stuff they could sell, but they are ripping produce up and kicking gates in. It is mindless.”

Belinda Gaynor, operational estate manager at the Council, said: “We are aware of an ongoing security issue at Stanacre allotments having already repaired the boundary wall twice this year. We are looking into alternative additional measures that can be taken to improve the site security but this may take some time.

“In the meantime, we are investigating temporary security measures and are liaising with the police who have agreed to increase their presence in the area. We received an e-mail complaint about security at Stanacre from Mrs Smith last week following which we began looking into additional measures that can be taken to deal with this problem. All tenants will be advised this week of action that the Council is taking and will be provided with regular updates about progress.”

Inspector Pete Tuff, of Eccleshill neighbourhood policing team, said: “We are aware of a number of reported incidents at the location and are working with allotment holders to bring about a lasting solution.

“Our officers have visited the location and urged plot-holders to report all crimes to police. If we are aware of it happening then we will act."