AN ALLOTMENT keeper’s chickens have been burned alive in attacks on his Bradford plot.

Disabled John Tatersall, 26, from Tyersal, has been left devastated by the attacks which happened within 24 hours of each other at Bowling Park Allotments in Bowling Park Drive.

Mr Tatersall, who suffers from depression and had reared the chickens from chicks, got a phone call from another plot holder on Tuesday morning breaking the news.

That night, Mr Tatersall’s plot was targeted yet again, this time his two sheds were burned to the ground and his vegetable beds were wiped out.

Police are investigating but Andrew Hastie, chairman of the Bowling Allotments and Gardens Society, says without CCTV members are not holding out much hope of the culprits being caught.

“We’ll have to look at security measures but we are only a new society and – being Bradford’s biggest allotment site – it would cost lots of money to get cameras fitted. It would wipe our funds out."

And he added: “What we’d like to do is help John get back on his feet. He’s been left with absolutely nothing, no sheds, no tools, chickens or crops. He’s worked so hard to build it up himself over the last two years. It’s tragic. It’s unimaginable how he will start over again but if we or any other groups or businesses out there can give help I hope he gets it.”

The allotment site does have gates but sometimes tenants leave them unlocked, which is not helpful, said Mr Hastie, whose own shed was vandalised two years ago.

“We don’t know who is responsible for this. We’ve had problems before. It could be children being mischievous or it could be someone with a grudge that we don’t know about. We’ve reported it to the police who have been up and have taken away a few things to get fingerprints."

Mr Tatersall said: “I’m gutted. I had those chickens from chicks. It looks as though they just burned the coop with them in it. My sister gave me them after they’d hatched at the nursing home where she worked. I’d got rather fond of them, they all had their different quirks.”

And he added: “ I’m disabled so I can only do bits and bats at a time before I sit down so it took me a long time to get the plot like it was. I had a shed for my tools and one where I’d go and sit. It was my little sanctuary, I liked the tranquility and the peace, just listening to the birds but now it’s like Beirut. I don’t know if I can carry it on.”

Over Wednesday night, other plots were targeted with sheds being broken into and crops ripped up.

A police spokesman said: “Enquiries are continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Anyone who can help rebuild Mr Tatersall’s plot can email andrew@bagsbradford.co.uk