Allotments 'plagued' by thefts and vandalism

PROBLEMS with theft, arson, vandalism and fly-tipping are continuing to plague many council-owned allotments in Redcar and Cleveland.

- By STUART ARNOLD Reporter [e-mail]

Despite this, a healthy waiting list has been revealed in terms of members of the public waiting to rent a plot.

A report covering Cllr Adam Brook’s neighbourhoods portfolio said there were “ongoing challenges”.

It said: “Theft, misuse, arson, vandalism and fly-tipping continue to be a problem across many sites. Underuse or neglect also create a significant amount of work in inspections, enforcement, clearing and re-letting.”

The local authority has 731 plots in total that it owns across 14 sites, however the report said 66 were in a “critical” condition.

Aside from anti-social and criminal behaviour, other contributing factors to the poor state of many included flood damage and in one instance the discovery of a contaminant, asbestos.