Raid closes nature reserve

6:10pm Friday 25th July 2008

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A CRICKLADE nature reserve has been forced to shut due to a raid by suspected criminals.

The suspects drove out to Blakehill Farm near Cricklade in a 4X4 vehicle on July 11, and again on July 17.

Trust managers believe the gang were staking out the site looking for machinery to steal and sell on.

Fearing the raiders will return, the trust has now taken the decision to shut the reserve to vehicles until further notice and is appealing to locals to report anything unusual.

John Rattray, head of land management at the trust, said: “We believe that these unknown people have been out to see what they can steal. We have been told by the police that gangs in the area steal to order and were probably looking for machinery or scrap to sell on.”

Unable to get through the locked gate, the raiders lifted it off its hinges and drove over it, destroying an information board and crushing wildflowers beneath their wheels.

“They haven’t taken anything yet but we are expecting them to revisit any day soon to try and make off with our property,” said Mr Rattray.

“We are in the middle of haymaking and so moving the machinery off the reserve for protection simply isn’t possible. It would be a great help if the public could keep a watch out for us.”

Blakehill, a former RAF airfield and Government Research Centre before being bought by the trust in 2000, is the UK’s largest hay meadow restoration project.

The 240-hectare site is a perfect habitat for wildlife.

Due to Blakehill’s previous role as a Government listening post, areas rich in wildlife were left alone and now have a rich mix of wildflowers, supporting insects such as the six-spot burnet moth, which are hardly seen in the wider countryside today.

Mr Rattray added: “Through someone’s greed and dishonesty, this wonderful reserve has been shut to the public completely against our belief that everybody should be free to enjoy the natural world.’’ If you see anything suspicious please do not approach suspects but contact Mr Rattray on (01380) 725670 ext 277, email johnr@wiltshirewildlife.org or call the Wiltshire police on 0845 408 7000.

Alternatively if you see a crime in progress dial 999.