PLOT holders on a Barry allotment are calling on the Vale Council to improve security on site after thieves caused damage stole their CCTV cameras.

Tenants of the Old Pencoedtre Allotment, off Eifion Close, Treharne, reported damage to shed locks and windows and theft of a 240 inverter, a power regulator, a petrol generator, and two cameras which would feature footage of the break-in taking place overnight on Monday, June 6 into Tuesday, June 7.

On New Year’s Eve in 2012 the allotment experienced one of Barry’s worst acts of animal cruelty when two rabbits were tortured, a duck was stabbed with a crowbar and chickens released by yobs who broke into more than ten secure sheds and stole a large amount of property, including knives and machetes.

The site has also experienced other thefts – including fruit and vegetables grown on the 20 plots.

Tenant holder and grandmother-of-one Karen Glover said her shed lock and window had been stolen along with the surveillance equipment.

Mrs Glover, 50, of Gibbonsdown, said: “The footage would be on there. They used my bags for life to take it away. It will cost a couple of hundreds to replace. People also nick your fruit and veg believe it or not.”

Plot neighbours Tony and wife Lisa Gratton, 41, who is registered disabled, said they were also angry and frustrated with the break-ins.

Dad-of-two Mr Gratton, 43, of the Coldbrook estate, said: “We are really fed up. We keep telling the council the site needs to be secure but they won’t help us. We got anti-vandal paint and they asked us to do the painting. We had a 19 per cent increase on our rent and pay up to £52 a year so we expect some help. We have got a lot of old people who really need the allotment and it’s upsetting. The police have fingerprints.

A South Wales police spokesman said an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 209576 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.