Council asks for help after vandals strike at Welcombe Hills

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is asking for people to help after vandals struck at a popular beauty spot.

Large areas of the Welcombe Hills, Stratford-upon-Avon normally dazzling with daffodils and blooming with Bluebells at this time of year have been cruelly vandalised, with large areas almost completely cleared with plants cut down to ground level.

Many of these flowers will not recover from this vandalism and it is feared that these semi wild displays will now be lost.

This is the latest in a long running history of vandalism on the Welcombe Hills, with fires regularly being set over the summer seasons, and parties over night that leave large quantities of litter and broken glass. This then poses a hazard to dog walkers, wild animals and the cattle that are once again grazing the site.

The District Council is now asking for people to help them prevent further acts of antisocial behaviour from taking place.  Acts of vandalism like these all constitute an offence; either as environmental crimes or criminal damage. Any evidence found to identify those responsible will be investigated and followed up to prosecute offenders and prevent further harm to the site.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or with information on who may be responsible should contact Stratford District Council on 01789 260616.

• The Welcombe Hills & Clopton Park is a designated Nature Reserve to the North of the town.
• Over the last 5 years there have been over 20 fires that have been reported on the site, and so far this year there have been at least 3 late night parties resulting in large quantities of litter, along with discarded clothing.
• Several sections of fencing, information signs, benches, picnic benches and trees have been destroyed over the last 5 years by mindless vandalism or to provide fuel for the fires.
• Litter left on site has caused the death of at least one cow on the site in recent years according to the local grazier.
• Many of the flowers destroyed over the last two months were markers for where local pets have either been buried by their owners, or had their ashes scattered. As such the emotional impact of this vandalism is considerable.
• Bluebells are one of Britain's most protected plants despite being relatively common. This is because Britain has about 30% of the total world population of Bluebells.
• Local dog walkers devote a lot of their time to remove litter arising from this type of antisocial behaviour, and help avoid costly clean up work by the District Council. Their efforts help maintain this site for the enjoyment of visitors and locals alike.