White Elm Garden Centre damaged by vandals and burglars

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 14:58 · Archive

White Elm Garden Centre in Bicknacre has suffered repeated vandalism of Halloween displays and a break-in at its petting farm.

White Elm Garden Centre in Bicknacre, a family-run business, has suffered repeated vandalism of its Halloween displays and a break-in at its petting farm. Over the past couple of weeks, countless pumpkins have been deliberately smashed, displays have been broken and decorations destroyed.

The centre's staff had spent weeks preparing the farm for Halloween. A spokesman said the team had 'worked incredibly hard over the past few weeks to make our Farm look amazing for Halloween', with 'hours and hours of hard work, creativity and effort' going into creating displays for families to enjoy.

The trouble escalated at the weekend when four men broke into the farm. No animals were harmed, but the break-in left enclosures 'smashed and damaged'.

The centre's spokesman questioned where parents were and why children were being allowed to destroy property that others had worked to create. They asked why youngsters were not being taught to respect other people's property and expressed frustration at the attitude some parents seemed to hold towards such behaviour.

The spokesman said that running a business was difficult enough without having to deal with vandalism and that staff were left 'picking up the pieces' after each incident.

How it is being reported

• Garden centre bosses furious after Halloween displays vandalised and farm broken intoWhite Elm Garden Centre in Bicknacre condemns repeated Halloween vandalism and a break-in at its petting farm, after displays and enclosures were damaged.Brentwood Guardian · 22 Oct, 14:15
• Garden centre bosses furious after Halloween displays vandalised and farm broken intoWhite Elm Garden Centre in Bicknacre condemns repeated Halloween vandalism and a break-in at its petting farm, after displays and enclosures were damaged.Colchester Gazette · 22 Oct, 14:15
• Garden centre bosses furious after Halloween displays vandalised and farm broken intoWhite Elm Garden Centre in Bicknacre condemns repeated Halloween vandalism and a break-in at its petting farm, after displays and enclosures were damaged.Echo (Basildon) · 22 Oct, 14:15

In this story: White Elm Garden Centre · Bicknacre

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