Plot-holders at a Bradford allotment site have been left feeling vulnerable after vandals broke into a number of their sheds and containers.

Police said they were alerted to break-ins at three plots at Bowling Park Allotments, West Bowling, but plot-holders said 15 pitches appeared to have been affected. An officer was visiting the victims last night.

Plot-holder David Harford said he was not aware of anything having been stolen, but a number of locks had been damaged.

“This is what we don’t understand,” he said. “They’re looking for something, but we don’t know what.”

“All we’re doing is growing a few vegetables, but someone is trying to stop us doing that. It looks like somebody’s brought a big set of bolt cutters.”

The allotment holders are calling for better security at their site, and for all the plots to be allocated, in order to deter vandals and thieves.

Another plot-holder Godfrey Brayshaw said: “A lot of it here is pensioners and it is totally wrong. They are scaring the old folk, they can’t afford new locks. We’re putting money into it and putting seeds in the ground, letting stuff grow. In between, they are pinching stuff. It’s not near houses, and we feel like we are vulnerable here.”

The plot-holders said incidents of vandalism or thefts have been occurring on a monthly basis. On one previous occasion, a number of chickens went missing after a break-in at one of the allotments, and items including gas stoves and other equipment were taken.

Parvaz Rasoul, 41, a father-of-three, said: “I’ve had my allotment for a year and I’ve spent more than £1,000. It is difficult for me.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “We are aware of reports of three allotments having been broken into. An officer will be attending tonight.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident, which was reported to police on Monday, is asked to phone the West Bowling Neighbourhood Policing Team on the non-emergency number 101.

A spokesman for Bradford Council, which provides the plots, was not available for comment last night.