Allotment users 'forced away' by vandalism

Ned Douglas has had his allotment in Hadston for over 30 years

Plot holders at an allotment are being "forced away" due to anti-social behaviour and vandalism which sees gardens trashed on a near daily basis.

Ned Douglas, 78, who has had a plot at the Karbon Homes allotment in Hadston, Northumberland, for over 30 years, had his greenhouse panels stolen while he was in hospital.

One woman in her eighties is so intimidated by people congregating on disused plots in the evening that she refuses to come back.

Karbon Homes said it was working with the police.

After having 20 glass panels stolen or smashed over the past year, Mr Douglas tried to confront the youths, but he said they "just laughed in my face".

He added, despite contacting the police and landlord, attempts to stop the anti-social behaviour have failed.

Ashley Young said her allotment is no longer a family-friendly place

Ashely Young, 32, took on her grandad's lot earlier this year and hoped it would be a place she could bring her children regularly.

But Ms Young said it was no longer a family-friendly space and "not safe anymore" because there is glass everywhere.

Rocks were thrown at Margaret Wilson's plot whilst she fed her chickens

Margaret Wilson, 73, said earlier this week she had rocks thrown at her plot which hit the metal sheets above her chicken hutches.

Ms Wilson described the ordeal as "scary", but added she still has to visit her allotment "otherwise the birds won't get fed".

Locals fear the summer holidays will bring with it an escalation in the anti-social behaviour.

Many of the plots are disused and subject to vandalism

Northumbria Police said it had received numerous reports of criminal damage and was carrying out regular high-visibility patrols in the area.

In partnership with the police, Karbon Homes plans to hold a community meeting on the issue and says it has already moved forward with an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement for one of the known perpetrators.