Market Drayton community garden trashed by vandals
Vandals broke into a community garden in Market Drayton, ripping up plants and raiding sheds for equipment.
Volunteers who maintain the allotment community gardens in Laburnum Close said they were left "close to tears" when they discovered the attack.
Gary Bradshaw, community gardener, said: "I come down to the gardens on a daily basis to water the plants and I was close to tears when I discovered what I saw this morning.
"The place has been trashed. It looked terrible."
Eight sheds and four greenhouses were broken into sometime between 7.30pm on Wednesday and 8.15am yesterday.
Police have appealed for help to trace those responsible. Mr Bradshaw said the community took over the gardens three years ago, transforming a rubbish tip into a mature garden.
"We are all very upset and devastated," he said. "Thousands of pounds have been spent to get the garden to the standard it was at.
"We were all very pleased with it. It was beautiful. Now all that hard work has been ruined. A lot of equipment has also been stolen. We are all in shock."
Councillor Roy Aldcroft, mayor of Market Drayton, said he hoped the community can "come together" and give support to the victims and help the police find who committed the crime. He said: "That is very sad news to hear. I hope the community can all rally round and come together to support the people affected."
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 101S of June 18.
