Vandals damage Big Waters bird hide near Brunswick Village

The incident took place over the weekend at Big Waters nature reserve near Brunswick Village, where vandals targeted a hide managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

Parts of the structure were ripped off as the perpetrators attempted to break in.

Geoff Dobbins, estates manager at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: "This is absolutely mindless vandalism especially as there is nothing in the hide to steal! It is particularly alarming because whoever did this, went to the site prepared with tools, including a drill and crow bar to break in."

Damage was caused to the shutter, frame, and guttering.

Vandals also tried to force open the door and drilled into the lock.

The damage will require costly repairs and has disrupted the trust’s conservation work.

Mr Dobbins said: "At this time of year, the estates staff and volunteers are busy with grass cutting, hay making and practical conservation tasks on many of our reserves, so to have to stop this to repair the damage is taking us away from our work which is very much weather dependant."

Northumberland Wildlife Trust has experienced several incidents of vandalism and break-ins over the years.

In June 2010, its visitor centre at Hauxley reserve on Druridge Bay was destroyed in an arson attack and had to be completely rebuilt.

In March 2021, four hides across its reserves were damaged, including the Tern Hide, which suffered extensive destruction to benches, walls, and every window.

The cost of repairs ran into thousands of pounds.

Later that year, in November 2021, burglars used an axe to break through an exterior wall at the trust’s Gosforth headquarters, before ransacking the building and stealing equipment.