Newts 'destroyed' at community farm

Aquatic life has been "destroyed" and glass broken in an overnight incident at a community farm.

Staff at Bath City Farm in Somerset reported the "reckless act" to police.

Brendan Tate Wistreich, farm director, said in a post on the farm's Facebook page, that a group of people entered the farm late on Wednesday and damaged a pond containing breeding newts and a play area.

"Sadly, these are not isolated incidences. The warmer weather and lighter evenings often coincide with increased anti-social behaviour," he said.

The damage at Bath City Farm - a working farm as well as a charity and visitor attraction - was discovered on Thursday morning during a daily check by a site team.

Staff found that newts had been removed from their pond and "destroyed" and "large amounts of broken glass" were left scattered around the play area.

This is not the first time the farm has fallen victim to anti-social behaviour, according to Tate Wistreich.

In an online update, he added: "Last year, the same pond was targeted in a series of incidents that led to the total decimation of the newt population and the complete destruction of the pond.

"The cost of repair is significant, not only financially to the farm, but emotionally to our allotmenteers and members of our mental health and wellbeing groups. It is for this reason that we have installed additional cameras across the site at considerable expense."

The farm, which works with young people through community outreach programmes, has reported the incident to the police and thanked the wider Bath community for their support.

Avon and Somerset Police has been contacted by the BBC for more information.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.