Occupants of Mead Road Allotments were distraught to find that vandals had broken into their allotments and had plundered the plots of their treasured pumpkins. Plot holders were horrified to discover the remains of their pumpkins smashed and battered in the side alleyway.

This isn’t the first time the allotments have been targeted. Only weeks before, thieves had climbed over the allotment perimeter fence and had made off with an abundance of butternut squashes, melons and pumpkins. John Waring, secretary of Mead Road Allotments said, “It’s mindless destruction. People have worked very hard nurturing the plants and for this to happen, it’s really disheartening.”

Despite the police being informed, no action was taken. Unfortunately, the problem seems to be almost the norm for allotments in many urban areas and can lead to some plot holders giving up. Since the incident at Mead Road, the gates have been reinforced and fences repaired to help deter the yobs.

Mead Road Allotments consists of 25 plots, all occupied. There is a strong sense of community spirit amongst the plot holders who include families with young children to local retired business people.

There are currently around 300,000 plots in Britain. The London Borough of Bromley has 51 allotments, including Mead Road. Throughout the UK the growing enthusiasm for homegrown produce and the interest in fresh organic food has seen more than 100,000 people join waiting lists as demand hits an all-time high.