“IT’S Like Someone Has Really Got It In For Us” — Greenock Allotments Chairperson Pleads For Help After Latest Fire Attack

PLOTHOLDERS at Greenock allotments have told of their devastation after greenhouses were destroyed in blazes early today (Sunday), the latest incident in an onslaught of vandalism and theft.

Four structures were gutted in fires started at Caddlehill Allotment Gardens at the top of Kelly Street around 1am. Other outbuildings were damaged last week in a fire, including one used by young people on the local Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Today’s fires involved greenhouses used by individuals plus a larger one set up as a communal facility by the plotholders to provide shared growing space.

Chairperson Rose Stewart, pictured, said: “We are devastated. When the police phoned to tell me today, I started to cry. It’s like someone has really got it in for us.”

Fires were also started earlier this year and last year, and come on top of “endless thefts”; items taken ranging from tools to packets of seeds.

When the allotments committee installed security cameras, even they were stolen. Rose said: “We tell plotholders they can’t leave anything valuable here.”

Committee member Archie MacVicar, whose greenhouse was burned down in February 2019, said: “It really hurts because we got funding about 10 years ago to install some of the greenhouses that have been destroyed.

“We’ve lost count of how many lawn mowers have been stolen. One time they cut through the roof of the building where they were stored to get to them. Another time they couldn’t lift them over the fence so they just set fire to them.”

Rose said: “I would be so grateful if anyone can help us or has any ideas about what we can do.” Rose can be contacted on CaddlehillChair@gmail.com.

Detectives have appealed for any witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage from the area at the time of last night’s blazes to contact them on 101.