The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Vandals cause £3k of damage at allotments in Perth.
crime: Gates torn down and burned and glass smashed as allotments are targeted
Police are investigating after thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused by vandals on Perth’s Moncreiffe Island.
Over the last two weekends, hundreds of panes of glass have been smashed at Perth Working Men’s Garden Allotments and gates torn down and burned.
The organisation’s president, Kenny Orrock, said the cost of the damage was around £3,000 which they could ill afford. “A lot of the people who have the allotments are older. I do not want them to get disheartened,” said Mr Orrock, 58.
On Saturday and Sunday December 2 and 3, more than 250 panes of glass in greenhouses were smashed and over the past weekend gates were taken and used as a bonfire.
“I am at my wit’s end,” said Mr Orrock. “I am appealing for anyone who has seen anything to come forward.
“Somebody must know who is responsible. I am totally sick, it is so pointless.
“I don’t want to see the older people getting dejected.”
The allotments, which are reached via the walkway on the railway bridge from Tay Street, have been a fixture for a century and there are currently 80 members growing their own fruit, vegetables and flowers on the island.
Police Scotland confirmed it was investigating the incidents which happened at the allotments on Moncrieffe Island over the past two weekends.
“Not only are these crimes causing considerable cost and inconvenience to the allotment users, but the persons responsible are placing themselves at risk by making their way across to the island during hours of darkness,” said a police spokesperson.
“If anyone has any information which could help us with our inquiries, please call 101 or speak with any police officer. Our reference is CR/31503/17.”
The island is also home to the King Kames VI Golf Club which was designed by Old Tom Morris and is the only inland island golf course in the country.