Nature therapy centre targeted again by vandals

The Flower Patch has been targeted by vandals multiple times, its director says

Vandals have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage at a nature therapy centre.

A group broke into a polytunnel filled with seedlings at The Flower Patch in Middlesbrough and caused "as much destruction as possible".

Founder Nicky Morgan, 57, said the "mindless" attacks had been happening since February and it was the same group of youths every time.

The crime has been reported to police and CCTV footage has been handed over. Cleveland Police has been contacted for comment.

The vandals ruined 40% of the seedlings that were growing in the polytunnel, Ms Morgan said, and hundreds of hours of volunteer time has been wasted.

She explained: "When we looked at the CCTV coverage it looks like they came with one aim, to cause as much destruction as possible.

"They had everything covered. They had gloves on, you couldn't see their faces, we watched the whole thing play out on video.

"What you've got to appreciate is that it has taken us five years to get to where we are now.

"In terms of volunteer time since February we are talking hundreds of hours.

"It is completely mindless. There is no rhyme or reason for it."