Gardeners fed up with yobs vandalising their allotments are fighting back and have set up a special scheme to keep tabs on their plots.

The gardeners at the plots in Church Lane, Sprowston are so sick of seeing crops uprooted, sheds broken into and vegetables stolen that they have decided to take matters into their own hands.

The people who tend the 93 plots have now formed the Allotment Agency Committee and are launching the Sprowston Allotment Watch.

The scheme will see people checking up on the plots and taking notes of any vandalism or thefts to help police catch the culprits.

Leslie Jenkinson, a 57-year-old plot holder from the village, said no one had any problems until a few years ago and in the last few months there has been a “rush of attacks.”

He added: “You spend an awful lot of time on the allotment, putting in a lot of work.

“One lad has been caught for causing damage. It's very frustrating. I haven't had too many problems, but for those who have had sheds burnt down, well it's the annoyance factor of it.”

The retired telephone engineer uses his plot for growing all the “staples” of potatoes, onions and green vegetables and although his shed has been spared in the attacks, his crops have been damaged.

He said: “A shed is a handy thing because you don't have to take away your tools all the time. I cycle a mile with mine.”

The allotment watch has the backing of Sprowston Parish Council, which owns the allotments, and the police force.

The allotments are so popular, the £30.50 per season plots even have a waiting list of 36 villagers.

June Hunt, clerk to the council, said: “We have listened to concerns of the allotment holders who have suffered from damage to sheds and theft of equipment and are pleased to be working with them.”

A spokeswoman for the council added that even glass in greenhouses had been smashed and it was some of the “worst cases of vandalism” they had seen.

Members of the watch will now record, log and inform police officers of the damage as soon as it happens.

Bryan Edwards, communications manager for the Norfolk Constabulary, said: “The Sprowston and Spixworth Safer Neighbourhood Team will now give extra attention to the allotments.

“PCSOs and officers will be questioning people on the allotment to ensure they are the rightful plot holders.”

The Evening News' Reclaim our Communities campaign, backed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, has called on the community to join forces to combat anti social behaviour.

Source:  Norwich Evening News