Theft, arson and attacks on animals at allotment

COUNCIL TOLD TO STEP UP AFTER 'DISGUSTING' INCIDENTS

- By STUART ARNOLD

A COUNCIL has been told to step up and protect a crime-hit allotment site which has suffered "disgusting, barbaric" attacks.

Bankfields allotments near Eston has been the location of incidents in which chickens and geese were fatally mutilated, including one previously in which birds were deliberately beheaded, and more recently when lurcher-type dogs were set loose with fatal consequences.

Theft and arson have been another problem and there are calls now for Redcar and Cleveland Council to fund the estimated £20,000 to pay for a new metal security fence to replace an ageing wooden one, which has been repeatedly breached by trespassers. Discussions are to be held to explore how the local authority can potentially come up with the cash required.

Eston ward councillor David Taylor said: "The council doesn't have any money, especially in neighbourhoods, so the money is going to have to be found from somewhere else.

"When you look at other allotments in the area, Normanby being one, they have had metal fencing done. Bankfields haven't and it is a focus for criminality.

"It is putting a strain on the police, strain on the fire brigade and affecting people's way of lives. The police are aware, but there is only so much they can do, they can't patrol there all night. What's happening is disgusting, animals are being killed and more needs to be done."