Gardeners puzzled by vandalism

Plot holders at Busselton Community Gardens are fed up after enduring years of theft and vandalism.

Stolen eggs and vegetables, shed break-ins and even a rabbit hutch being interfered with have brought members to their wits’ end.

Plot holder Carol Bibby said vandalism and stealing of produce had been an ongoing issue for some time at the Strelly Street facility.

The latest incident occurred last week, with the removal of most carrot crops throughout the gardens.

Ms Bibby said some of the vandalism appeared to be random, with people removing produce, spreading it around and leaving it at the gardens.

“Other times it’s more planned, where knives have clearly been used to slice vegetables off or removed and taken away,” she said.

Ms Bibby said it was a pity the perpetrators didn’t try to grow their own food instead of stealing it and said she’d had enough after her carrot crop was targetted again recently.

“We are all there for a reason; like-minded people who are passionate gardeners and like to eat our own organically grown produce,” she said.

“To have your growing space intruded upon after putting in so much effort is very disappointing.”

Ms Bibby said she had considered giving up her plot but would stay in the hope a solution was found.

She said the problem had been reported to police, security measures were being investigated and plot holders were prepared to patrol the area.