Hitchin’s Member of Parliament, Bim Afolami MP, visited the allotment site at Old Hale Way in Hitchin on Friday (22nd September) to hear about problems of anti-social behaviour which have been blighting allotment holders.
Reports of anti-social behaviour have included drinking and drug-taking, as well as damage to greenhouses, polytunnels and crops, and theft. This has led to some of the site’s 150 allotment-holders feeling unsafe. Mr Afolami met with senior figures from the Allotments Association to discuss the issues and he has committed to working with local police to tackle the problem.
Whilst at the allotments, Mr Afolami also took some time to learn about the Hitchin Youth Allotment project that they have been running. The project works with over 250 local young people every year to help them to develop gardening skills and get involved with growing fruits and vegetables. They have been accredited as an RHS Five Star Children's Gardening Project – the top level of recognition offered by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Bim Afolami MP said,
“There is so much fantastic work going on at the Old Hale Way allotments – in particular the absolutely brilliant Hitchin Youth Allotment scheme designed to get more young people out growing and gardening. That’s the sort of thing we desperately need and I was delighted to see the success that they have had.
“It is obviously hugely disappointing that the selfish actions of a small minority are detracting from some of this amazing work. The problems with anti-social behaviour are really unacceptable and I will be working closely with our local police to see what we can do to stamp these out once and for all – so that all the hard working volunteers at the allotments can get back to focussing on the important work they are doing in our community.”
Paul Dee, Membership Secretary of the Hitchin Allotments Association, said,
“Great to have Bim over to Old Hale Way Allotments in Hitchin to view the town’s biggest site and tour Hitchin Youth Allotment. It was also useful to talk through some of the issues we face there, in particular anti-social behaviour. We look forward to working with Bim on this and other issues.”
