Allotment arson spree fury

A shocking vandalism spree at a Wigan allotment in which a caravan was set on fire and glass smashed to smithereens is being treated as arson.
A greenhouse with its glass smashed on the allotment at Stubshaw CrossA greenhouse with its glass smashed on the allotment at Stubshaw Cross
A greenhouse with its glass smashed on the allotment at Stubshaw Cross

Greater Manchester Police are urgently asking anyone with information about the devastation caused at the plot in Stubshaw Cross belonging to Stephen Foster’s family to get in touch.

The allotment at the Bolton Road site was targeted on Wednesday, February 8 some time in the evening.

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A resident living nearby told Mr Foster he spotted smoke and flames coming from the burning caravan and rang the fire brigade.

A wrecked greenhouse on the allotment owned by Stephen Foster and his family at Stubshaw CrossA wrecked greenhouse on the allotment owned by Stephen Foster and his family at Stubshaw Cross
A wrecked greenhouse on the allotment owned by Stephen Foster and his family at Stubshaw Cross

A group of around eight or 10 youths dressed in dark clothing were then spotted running away from the scene.

The offenders created carnage as the caravan was completely destroyed and almost every pane of glass in two greenhouses and a large shed was reduced to piles of smashed wreckage.

The destruction was so bad Mr Foster says his 71-year-old mother is considering giving the plot up and ending the family’s 40-year association with the allotment.

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Mr Foster, 45, said: “I don’t see what they get out of it. It’s just mindless vandalism. My mum is absolutely devastated and she’s had enough. We’ve put a lot of hard work into it. It was originally my mum and stepdad’s allotment and then after he died we kept it going.

A wrecked greenhouse on the allotment owned by Stephen Foster and his family at Stubshaw CrossA wrecked greenhouse on the allotment owned by Stephen Foster and his family at Stubshaw Cross
A wrecked greenhouse on the allotment owned by Stephen Foster and his family at Stubshaw Cross

“When we walked onto the site there were two gas bottles at the side of the caravan. It would have been a different story if they had gone up.”

Police said they were called to the allotments on Walter Street after 11.30am on Saturday, February 11 and the incident is being treated as arson. Anyone with information should ring police on 101, quoting incident number 8061 of February 11, or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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