Fed-up allotment holders in Heckmondwike are turning to nature in a bid to stop vandals causing havoc at their prized plots.

The gardeners who rent the 40 Kirklees Council-owned sites in New North Road are to plant nettles and other prickly bushes such as hawthorn to act as a barrier to keep out the culprits.

Their action has been prompted by a spate of vandalism involving a gang of teenagers who they say burnt down two sheds, smashed windows and doors in greenhouses and ripped up polytunnels.

Colin Berry, secretary of New North Road Allotments' Association, said: "We've had a particularly serious bout of vandalism over the last few weeks.

"We believe one group of children aged about 14 to 16 has been responsible. What's particularly worrying is that the children have been causing problems when our members have been on site.

"In the past kids would clear off when they saw anybody at the allotments. But these youngsters have been quite brazen.

"One of our members caught one of the youths causing damage and identified him to the police. We haven't had as many problems since the police had a word with some of the children."

He said the final straw came when the elderly wife of one of the allotment keepers was subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse from the youths while she was at her husband's plot.

This prompted the gardeners to hold a recent meeting with Councillor Tim Crowther (Lab, Heckmondwike) and Geoff Hirst, the Council's client services officer for leisure and recreation services, to thrash out a solution to the problems.

Mr Berry, who had a polytunnel destroyed at his plot, said: "Some of allotment holders have suggested putting a security fence all the way round but this would not only look an eyesore but also be extremely expensive.

"Instead prickly bushes such as nettles and hawthorn will be planted round the edge in the hope this will deter vandals.

"There used to be a prickly hedge but it was removed when Redrow Homes started work on building new homes nearby."

Coun Crowther said: "It is sad and unfortunate some people see fit to spoil this hard work with mindless vandalism."

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