Vandals strike at nature reserve

Volunteers looking after a Spalding nature reserve have hit out at vandals for racist graffiti – and police for an apparent lack of interest.

Vernatt’s Drain Nature Reserve was hit over the weekend with highly racist language sprayed; seats and signs defaced and trees also sprayed.

But three other sites, including a play area at Woolram Wygate were also defaced with similar racist graffiti.

Volunteer Pete Boekestijn said there were occasional spates of vandalism at the reserve which were not usually reported, but this time the group of 15 or so members had decided to call police because of the nature of the graffiti.

“They called one of the volunteers back on Monday and said there would be no further investigations. They didn’t even come out and look,” said Piet. “We always knew we were on our own, and that’s just confirmed it,” he added.

Kay Batterham, who lives nearby and uses the reserve, said she hoped police would catch ‘these idiots who have no thought or respect for anyone or anywhere.’

“My punishment suggestion is they are sprayed from head to foot in their own bright pink and green paint,” she said.

“Some people, in their own time, have gone above and beyond to make these places so lovely for everyone’s enjoyment,” she said.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police, said: “After conducting enquiries, the incident has been closed with no further action.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour in open spaces is a neighbourhood policing priority and we will be conducting patrols in hotspot areas, including the Vernatts Nature Reserve.”