Allotment sheds hit by thieves

Thieves have targeted Sandwell allotments, stealing costly equipment. Sheds at Black Horse allotments in Wednesbury, were broken into.

A cultivator worth £100 and two lawn strimmers also worth £100 were among some of the items taken in the raid in Old Park Road.

Allotment holder John Shobbrook, aged 73, today branded the criminals "disgraceful".

"You would not be able to print what I think of these people," he said. "I think thefts like this are happening because of the credit crunch.

"More people have time on their hands to do things like this and everybody else is being punished."

Allotment holder Robert Evans, aged 63, from Ardav Road in West Bromwich has held a plot at the site for the past five years.

"I think the people that have done this are scum and they have no pride in Sandwell," he said. "I think it is absolutely disgusting and I am very angry about it."

Wednesbury North councillor Bill Archer said he was "saddened" by the thefts.

"I cannot believe that people would stoop so low as to do this," he said.

Anyone with information about Sunday's thefts is being urged to contact police on 0845 113 5000.