Vandals have caused damage estimated at £2500 at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. Up to three young people slashed the Centre’s polytunnel and destroyed young plants between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. The attack comes just a week after a scarecrow was set ablaze at the Centre.
Staff turned up at work on Wednesday morning to find a polytunnel used by the Centre’s gardening groups slashed open, and their worst fears were realised upon closer inspection – the tunnel’s contents had been scattered and destroyed.
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s Elizabeth Graham, who supports the gardening groups, said: ‘I must admit I shed a tear when I saw the damage that had been done. Our gardeners had been growing on some young plants and these have been destroyed – it’s too late in the season now to start this process again – it’s so very sad. I hoped we could maybe repair the polytunnel using a strong tape but the damage is too severe. This is such a pointless act and I do worry that this may have been carried out by some young people who use the Centre – or who certainly know people who use the Centre. It’s very upsetting and such a waste”.
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is covered by CCTV cameras and police are now studying tapes. It’s understood that the culprits have been captured on camera.
And despite the vandalism episode, today’s Family Fun Day goes ahead at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. The fun starts at 11am – all welcome.