FIRE-STARTING thieves made themselves a brew with allotment gardeners' coffee before stealing their tools and burning their sheds to the ground.
Tweendykes Allotments in east Hull has been hit by offenders four times in the past two months.
It is believed the culprits cut through barbed wire and fencing after dark, before attacking the Leads Road allotment's 79 plots.
Humberside Police have launched an investigation following the latest attack on the site last Friday, when thousands of pounds worth of gardening gear was stolen.
Allotment committee member George Beckett said: "It is getting worse all the time and we are fed up now.
"People can't be bothered locking their sheds up any more.
"These people are running riot and we need something doing about it now. It is no good giving them a slap on the wrist.
"More than 80 per cent of the people who come here are 75 and above, so why are people picking on the elderly?
"They are breaking in, stealing equipment, setting sheds on fire and just causing chaos."
It is thought crime was organised after expensive items, such as light strimmers and chainsaws, were stolen from the allotment's equipment container.
The offenders stole various other items from members' sheds, including tins of soup and drink cans.
Plot holder Tom Terry, 71, said: "My patch has been hit heaven knows how many times in the past two years – but four times in the past two months for sure.
"They are just laughing in my face because they never take anything worth much from my area.
"They smash through my shed roof, steal a few drink cans and then have the cheek to make themselves a cup of coffee while they're doing it – I can't believe it.
"Who would want to do that? They must get a buzz out of it.
"It is a real shame because so many people who once loved looking after their plot of land are giving it up because they can't be doing with the trouble anymore."
A Humberside Police spokesman said: "Humberside Police are working with the plot holders to increase security.
"Offenders entered the site before forcing entry into a metal container and taking items belonging to the allotment society, including a petrol strimmer and a rotivator.
"The offenders are then believed to have entered a number of other sheds on the allotment before making off in an unknown direction, leaving cutting equipment behind.
"The neighbourhood policing team have visited the site offering reassurance and crime prevention advice and house-to-house enquiries have been completed in the area."
Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101, quoting reference number 2043436.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
