Vandalism update

The extent of vandalism and antisocial behaviour at Far Ings and nearby reserves was among the subjects that came under the spotlight at Monday’s meeting of the Grimsby group of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

In his 26 months as warden, Simon Wellock has had to call the police no fewer than 120 times.

Hides and other structures (including kissing gates) are vulnerable to arson and criminal damage of various sorts.

In the past, there have even been cases of ne’er-do-wells shooting ducks from the roof of a hide and once of two lads swimming out to a tern raft and uptipping the chicks and eggs into the water to allow said individuals to sunbathe.

Talk about soul-destroying for Simon and volunteers who do such a grand job.