Angry allotment holders today vowed to take the law into their own hands unless action is taken to stop damage and drug use on their site, writes Mark Templeton.

The fed-up gardeners many of them pensioners say they will be forced to turn vigilante unless something is done to end the months of misery they have endured.

The group is considering setting up a Dad's Army-style group to patrol the allotments at night saying they can no longer rely on the police to prevent thefts, vandalism and drug use on their plots in Botley Road, Oxford. And they are furious that the city council has refused to prosecute for trespass although the group has handed over the name and address of a regular trouble maker and witnesses who are prepared to go to court.

Allotment holder Eugene Devereux, 69, said: "It's disgraceful that people are getting away with causing havoc here and nobody seems to care. We're thinking of setting up a night patrol. If we catch anyone I wouldn't like to say what would happen, but if nobody else will help us then we'll have to sort the problem out ourselves." The gardeners have been hit by a catalogue of problems in recent months including the theft of a 1,000 cultivator and other items of equipment. Other problems include:

* An allotment-holder assaulted by a trespasser

* The discovery of blood-stained needles

* Vandals wrecking fencing and hedges

* The site used as a sleeping area by vagrants who leave behind empty cans and bottles

The group has already put up barbed wire to try to stop people getting on to the site.

Police spokesman Duncan McGraw promised officers would meet the association to talk about crime prevention. A council spokesman said they shared the concerns and would be looking at the issues raised.