VANDALS have left a sickening trail of devastation at popular allotments.

Chickens have had their necks wrung, young chicks have been drowned, power tools stolen and sheds smashed in a series of incidents at Prices Lane, Wrexham.

Nigel Fletcher, chairman of the Wrexham Allotment and Leisure Gardens Association, said members were disgusted.

He added: “It really is soul-destroying to see the results of some of the attacks, such as when the chickens were killed. We just can’t understand the mentality of these people at all.

“It has been going on for a number of weeks now. In the past we have seen occasions where there have been a series of incidents, but nothing on this sort of scale.”

Mr Fletcher said the association had been in contact with the authorities in a bid to halt the hooliganism.

He added: “The council has been as helpful as it can be and notices have been put up. The police also do what they can. We would ask that if anyone sees somebody acting suspiciously around the allotments they contact the police as soon as possible.”

Mr Fletcher said he would welcome the introduction of CCTV cameras at the site to help keep guard, but recognised the cost of such a system might be a stalling point.

Alan Guest, Wrexham Council’s divisional manager environment, said the local authority was aware of the attacks.

He added: “Our officers are working with the police to prevent further problems and to try to catch those responsible.”

A police spokesman said: “North Wales Police are aware of a number of incidents of theft and vandalism at the allotments and are investigating. Meanwhile patrols have been stepped up in  the area.”