Allotments are being targeted by vandals who have stolen tools, damaged sheds and uprooted vegetables -- causing damage estimated at more than £2,500.

A total of 32 of the 40 sheds at the the New Road allotments, on the edge of East Hagbourne, near Didcot, have been broken into over the past 18 months.

This week, Didcot Town Council also received reports of damage at its Broadway allotment site. Doors were ripped off two garden sheds during the New Year Bank Holiday. Crops are the town's Sinodun Road allotments were also vandalised.

Town council technical manager Brenda Andrews described the level of vandalism as "un- precedented".

Plot holders accused police of not taking the problem seriously, although the police claimed that not all the incidents were being reported properly.

Thames Valley spokesman Vicky Evans said: "When reporting a crime such as a burglary or theft, it does have to be reported by the owner."

Allotment holders, including Eileen Bracken and Reg Chambers of the New Road allotments, met the village beat officer, Pc Roger Foster, to discuss ways of improving security at the site.

Mrs Bracken said: "The vandals have rifled through sheds, taking containers of pesticides and slug pellets which they have scattered around gardens.

"Each time the damage and theft may amount to £30 for tools and £30 for other damage."

Following a meeting of allotment holders and the town council, environment committee chairman Jerry Goff said security at the New Road site would be reviewed and a protective hedge could be put up.

Allotment holders want the police to step up patrols at the sites.

District councillor Sara Davidson, who has an allotment on the Broadway site, urged allotment holders to make sure they reported any damage or thefts.