Vandals have destroyed two long-standing scarecrows in a garden cared for by Age UK Bury, in what the charity has described as a deeply upsetting act of arson.
Firefighters were called to the charity’s Mosley Street base shortly before 11pm on Tuesday 29 April, where two scarecrows and a garden bin were found ablaze in the front garden.
The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. However, the damage was already done.
Age UK Bury chief executive Ania Stark-Ketcher discovered the charred remains when she arrived at work on Wednesday morning.
“One of the scarecrows had burnt to cinders,” she said. “They have been in the garden for many years. It is concerning to me that if the people who did this can do something like that, what else are they capable of doing?”
The garden, maintained by dedicated volunteers, has been an important community space. The damage is especially disheartening with events planned for VE Day next week.
“We were going to put bunting out in the garden for the children coming to visit, but now we’re not sure we’ll be able to,” Ania added.
To make matters worse, the vandals reportedly returned on Wednesday night and set the second scarecrow alight, this time reducing it to ashes.
Around the same time as the initial fire, a group of youths were reportedly seen attempting to ignite land at a nearby allotment, according to a passer-by.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed:
“Shortly after 10.50pm on Tuesday 29 April, one fire engine attended a fire involving two scarecrows and a bin on Mosley Avenue, Bury. Firefighters used a hose reel to extinguish the fire and we were in attendance for around 20 minutes.”
Ania is now calling on local residents to remain vigilant. “Please keep an eye out,” she urged. “We don’t want this happening to anyone else.”
Anyone with information or CCTV footage is urged to contact police on 101 quoting reference CRI/06NN/0006682/25, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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