A kitchen has been broken into, and polytunnels have been ripped by vandals “punching and kicking” at Southside Farm in Hereford, where volunteers from Growing Local CIC (Community Interest Company) spend their time planting and growing vegetables for distribution, as well as educating visitors on local produce.

The 19-acre Belmont-based site produces seasonal, organic vegetable boxes for the public, which can be delivered, or local businesses can choose to use them as a wholesale supplier.

This week, the company appealed to members of the public to pass any information to the police about the incidents, with the damage becoming not only “highly dangerous” but also costly.

Southside Farm in Belmont has suffered significant vandalism after intruders damaged the site, kicking and punching holes through its polytunnels. Evidence of small fires was found around the property, and the farm’s field kitchen was also broken into, adding to the disruption and repair costs faced by the community-run operation. Pic is. Director and Project Co-ordinator, Louisa Foti points out the extensive damage caused in the recent incident, which left the farm’s polytunnels torn. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

Vegetables have been found “thrown around the farm”, whilst a new field kitchen has been broken into, with tools damaged and destroyed.

Sylvia Stiff, who joined as a volunteer around eight weeks ago, said she found the sprees of petty vandalism “soul destroying”.

“Growing Local is such a great benefit to the community and just a few troubled souls manage to spoil it for everyone,” she said.

“I find it frustrating and very upsetting that the culprits seem to think that vandalising things that people put hard work and effort into is OK. It’s not. If only they could see the benefits.”

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Pamela Davies, who volunteers weekly, including for schools and holiday workshops, said the “wanton” acts of vandalism had been “devastating for all involved”.

Volunteer Pamela Davies (right) and director and project co-ordinator Louisa Foti stand inside the field kitchen, which was broken into and damaged during the recent incident. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

Ms Davies said this had also affected local residents, who are no longer able to obtain vegetables from an on-site honesty shop, after it was forced to close.

“There is an enormous amount of effort, both from the volunteers and the Directors of Growing Local put into the project, only to be constantly knocked back by these unnecessary actions,” she said.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said the local Safer Neighbourhood Team are aware of the criminal damage and will be conducting regular patrols in the area.

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 A Design Out Crime Officer has visited the premises and offered crime prevention advice.