Appeal after attempted break-in at Carnoustie 'Food is Free' community garden

The ‘Food Is Free’ Community Garden, on Panda Lane, was targeted at around 10.30pm on Saturday, June 24, when an attempt was made to force open the door of an equipment shed.

This proved unsuccessful, but the door was damaged.

The garden was founded in 2016 by a group of volunteers to provide free food for the community.

It was hit with a setback two years ago, however, when its polytunnels were destroyed in a deliberately-set fire. A concerted community effort, however helped to get it back up and running.

PC Ronnie Irvine, of the Carnoustie, Monifieth & Sidlaws Community Policing Team, said: “The gardens have been created and are tended to by dedicated volunteers to benefit others in our community. Local businesses and organisations have supported the project.

"It saddens me to see their hard work undermined by the thoughtless actions of another or others. We are speaking to residents in the area and looking for CCTV evidence.

"I understand that a group of youths were seen congregating in the gardens, and banging noises were heard around that material time. That being the case, there will have been people in the group who know about this.

"I would urge anyone who saw anything to come forward and report this to me”.

Anyone with information should contact 101, or use the ‘Contact Us’ form on the Police Scotland website, quoting incident reference number PS-20230625-1433.