ALLOTMENT-holders want tighter security measures after vandals broke in and damaged polytunnels.

Users of the allotment at Perdiswell blame the unsecured perimeter for the problems.

In the latest incident, Linda Smith, of Great Meadow, Warndon Vill-ages, said her polytunnel was slashed and plants and expensive seeds inside were tossed around, al-though nothing was taken.

Over the past two years, intruders have got into the allotments despite perimeter fencing.

“It’s really annoying people can just walk in, wreck the place and there’s no reason why,” said Mrs Smith. “They’ve slashed the polytunnel so we’ve had to tape it up.”

She suspects youngsters are to blame because of the nature of the damage and the fact nothing has been stolen.

“If they are children then they will just climb the gates or get through gaps in the fencing ,but they’re getting in and we need something done about it,” said Mrs Smith. “They cut the fence down by the city council depot some time ago.”

Another allotment holder Dan Robb believes intruders are either getting in through a hole which has been cut in the fence from nearby Perdis-well Golf Club, or simply climbing or walking through the front gate.

“The gate is onto a busy main road, so if you have a trailer you aren’t going to be able to get out of the car and lock the gate back up,” he said. “The gate should be moved back from the roadside.”

He branded the latest damage “malicious”, saying five sheds have been broken into in a year.

Ian Yates, Worcester City Council head of parks and cemeteries, said there was “a small budget” for security.

“We’ve increased the gate heights and padlocked the main gates,” he said. “If there are any other issues they can be raised through the allotment forum.”