A TAUNTING gang of vandals terrorised an allotment site for the second night in a week after devastated residents urged them to stop their rampage.
The Rowhedge Allotments, in Fingringhoe Road, Colchester, fell victim to a third attack on Wednesday night at the hands of a vicious group of hoodlums.
After running riot throughout the site, the mob fled the scene having left behind a trail of destruction in the form of smashed and toppled sheds and graffitied shacks.
The vandals even justified breaking into one of the sheds by spray painting it with: “Sorry about this, I didn’t have a key” and claiming: “We didn’t do anything.”
The latest targeted incident comes days after a similar rampage on Monday night which saw sheds torched, greenhouses shattered and fences and gates broken.
It also follows the gang’s initial night of devastation earlier this month which also left hardworking plot owners and the wider garden community heartbroken.
Michael Lilley, Colchester councillor for Old Heath and The Hythe and parish councillor for East Donylands, has slammed those responsible.
He said: “It is incredibly disappointing this mindless vandalism is going on because these are just people gardening, doing their own thing, and enjoying themselves.
“Yet this bunch of morons have decided to smash everything up for their own warped sense of enjoyment – they are mindless thugs and don’t deserve any goodwill.”
A spokesman for the Rowhedge Allotments has now expressed how continued attacks will plunge the future of the treasured space into doubt.
He said: “Such is the degree of damage the whole future of the site is in real jeopardy - these culprits really do need to be caught as soon as possible.”
READ MORE: Mindless vandals wreak havoc in Rowhedge Allotments
He also described the incidents as “major setbacks” which the site may struggle to recover from, not least due to some plot owners now being hesitant to return.
“If you are gardening on your own at the allotments, who’s to say one of these morons will not turn up again and attack someone,” added Mr Lilley.
“So, it is a real concern for residents because these idiots don’t have respect when vandalising the site so they are not going to behave towards people either.
“The allotments are a real asset to the village and I would say to residents, although this is a worry, don’t let these hooligans win and don’t give up.”
Essex Police are investigating the incidents and anyone with information should call 101.
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