Locals in a pretty UK village in Liverpool have been left devastated after a balaclava-clad gang ripped thousands of pounds worth of flowers. Woolton in Bloom said vandals tore £3k worth of flowers from their pots and threw them to the ground.
The charity has said it has CCTV footage showing young people in balaclavas pulling up the flowers and throwing them at cars. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Woolton in Bloom have been left outraged with the issue having gone on for three long years. Kerry Peacock from the charity said: “Every time we’ve put plants in this year they have come and pulled them out”.
She told BBC Radio Merseyside the issue had been ongoing for three years with vandals leaving the plants “all over the ground to die”.
“They’re throwing them at cars and leaving them anywhere all over the ground to die.”
Frightened locals are becoming increasingly “intimidated” by the balaclava-wearing vandals.
Ms Peackock said: “Woolton in Bloom is a whole village effort. People help and support us all year, so this is an affront to all of them.
“We are intimidated by these people. They all have bikes, are wearing balaclavas, masks, and their behaviour is threatening.”
Merseyside Police have been contacted for comment.
Woolton in Bloom said volunteers are now being forced to move their planters out of the area, and that it will take a huge effort to fix the problem.
Woolton is a historic urban village near Liverpool. Volunteers from Woolton in Bloom has been transforming the village with beautiful floral displays since 2000 who work to “improve and enhance” the village. Woolton is located southeast of the city and bordered by Allerton, Gateacre, Halewood
Woolton won the 2014 Champion of Champions award at the Britain in Bloom awards, as well as first prize in the Large Village category in 2013, 2010, and 2008.
The gardens feature herbaceous borders, water features, tropical plants, greenhouses, kitchen garden and garden sculptures.