Vandals rip polytunnels and destroy beehives on Angus farm

Farm manager Allen Innes said thousands of pounds of damage has been caused (Photo: Alan Innes/Facebook)
Farm manager Allen Innes said thousands of pounds of damage has been caused (Photo: Alan Innes/Facebook)

Thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused to a fruit farm in Scotland after vandals destroyed bee hives and ripped polytunnels.

Police are now investigating the incident which happened on Saturday evening (11 May) at East Seaton Farm in Arbroath, Angus.

A number of polytunnels, which are expensive and time-consuming to construct and maintain, were damaged, and a number of beehives sited within them were badly damaged or destroyed, police said.

Farm manager Allen Innes said thousands of pounds of damage has been caused by the senseless rampage.

“Bumblebee hives trashed, tunnels slashed, ripped and been climbed all over. We have been getting a little bit of damage most days now,” he said on a social media post highlighting the incident.

“Due to this we are going to have to increase security, erect fencing in hotspots.

“This will affect general public access and dog walkers. We apologise for this, however we must take steps to protect our business.”

Mr Innes added: “We will be asking people to not walk in certain areas and know this will cause problems but hopefully people will understand.”

Speaking to The Courier, he now thinks the polytunnels will cost at least £4,000 to repair. He will also have to buy new beehives.

It is not the first time vandals have targeted the farm. Tyres were slashed on 180 fruit trolleys and eight trailers in 2013.