Up To Thirty Teenagers Damage Farmland

15 July 2011, 13:23 | Updated: 15 July 2011, 13:28

Schoolchildren in the New Forest are being warned against trespassing and causing crimal damage to farm land.

It's after a group of youths camped, littered and damaged land on a private field in Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge on Friday, July 1.

Approximately 25 to 30 youths, some of whom are believed to be under 16, entered the field that evening.

The youths were seen drinking alcohol, tents and a camp fire had also been set up in the area. This resulted in extensive littering. The litter included a vast amount of broken bottles, the grass was also flattened and burnt by the camp fire.

PC Josh Deniz of New Forest Rural Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “This damage will have a significant effect on the cutting of the grass and the yield of crops.

“We are taking this matter very seriously and will be visiting local schools to get the message across about the inconvenience this type of activity causes to property owners and the huge impact these actions have."