Wolverhampton allotment project hit by £1,000 theft
Almost £1,000 worth of equipment including an 18ft polytunnel which was destined to help children in a community project has been stolen from an allotment shed.
Thieves broke through the side of the shed at the Springfield Road Allotments in Heath Town, Wolverhampton, after realising they were unable to get through the front door.
They stole the polytunnel and a raft of expensive gardening equipment that had been paid for through a special grant from Tesco to support the project.
The Hanover & Wolverhampton Project is run by Josh Johnson and aims at improving links between Wolverhampton and Jamaica.
The group had received a £2,000 grant from Tesco to develop its urban agriculture project, getting children involved in growing plants and vegetables to help their families.
Speaking about the theft, group organiser and former England international coach for karate and group chairman Dr Josh Johnson, said: “It is absolutely unbelievable.
“The children are devastated. The polytunnel in particular is a real loss because it would have enabled us to grow vegetables all year round.”
The group was started to recognise the heritage and history of Jamaican people in Wolverhampton. In the early 1950s, 110 people came over to Wolverhampton from the Caribbean, the majority of which came over from Hanover.
The project looks at recognising the contribution of people from Hanover, Jamaica, to the city and improve links between them. The group’s work covers agriculture, health, culture and education.
Milkinder Jaspal, Labour councillor for Heath Town ward said: “It’s very very disappointing.
“To see that community groups are working so hard together to improve their local area and doing such positive things, its very upsetting to think that individuals have come along and tried to destroy that.
“The group has a good reputation for its work and gardening, as does the community at large, so I hope that these mindless thieves get caught soon.”
Call West Midlands Police on 101.
