A RISE in antisocial behaviour at a Leigh allotment has led to an appeal for funds to pay for a new perimeter fence.

The Manchester Drive allotments have a history of antisocial problems which have worsened over the summer after the existing fences deteriorated, leaving some allotment holders afraid to work on their plots.

Incidents included thefts from sheds and cars and a shed being torched, with one plotholder even reporting being shot at with an airgun.

Leigh Town Council has applied to Southend’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership for £7,992 towards the £51,534 cost of installing a new security fence around the site.

Martin Scott, chairman of the Manchester Drive Allotment Society, welcomed the help.

He said: “At the moment, we don’t feel able to let plots at the top of the site because they are particularly vulnerable to bad behaviour and trespassers.

“We welcome the council’s willingness to pursue the fencing. It has a duty of care to its tenants, so we are very pleased it is pursuing this.

“We have allocated a certain amount of funding from our own limited funds, which will be available.”

Jean Rowswell, chairman of the town council’s allotments committee, said they were desperate for funding.

She added: “We are trying to get funding for the new fence because all this vandalism on the allotment is just not on and is not fair on allotment holders.”

The town council is responsible for the allotments, but due to budget constraints, is unable to pay for the fence and is seeking funding from a range of outside bodies.

Mrs Rowswell explained: “There are 16,000 houses in the Leigh Town Council area and there are probably 400 to 500 allotment holders, so is it fair that those 16,000 households subside 500 allotment holders?”

Currently, rent at the site costs most plotholders less than £1 a week, but from September next year there will be a slight increase, to be decided, to pay for ongoing improvement work.