Allotment vandals aredescribed as 'mindless idiots'

Known within the Fountain as the 'Bastion Plots', the herb garden had been painstakingly cultivated by children from the Cathedral Youth Club and the local primary school and had transformed a former patch of waste ground into a working entity.

However, over the weekend months of work were laid to waste as the garden was subjected to a bout of senseless vandalism.

Speaking about the attack, project manager at the Cathedral Youth Club, Jeanette Warke said: "It is just a horror story.

"They pulled out all the vegetables and threw them all around the place. They broke all the canes for the beans which a man had taken time to erect."

The garden, which is comprised of 19 allotments, is believed to have been attacked by people within the estate and is not believed to have been motivated by sectarianism.

"They also ran through a girl's allotment and ruined everything planted in it. The idea behind it is to encourage people to grow their own vegetables and also provide them with somewhere to meet up, have a chat and share ideas. It is very sad to see some people in our community don't see it like that.

"We are so proud of the allotments and everybody has commented on them. Indeed, people from outside the community have followed our lead and done their own," said Jeanette Warke.

The youth leader also stated that the garden would be restored to its former glory.

Appealing for information, PSNI Sam Young said: “The garden was the result of a lot of hard work by people living in the area and the damage is wanton anti-community vandalism.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the PSNI City Centre Neighbourhood Team on 7121 0756. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.