WORKERS at a popular Welsh nature reserve say they have been targeted by acts of vandalism over the last two years that have resulted in thousands of pounds worth of damage.
The attacks have seen the destruction of fences, gates, parking machines, and even a bird hide at the Kenfig National Nature Reserve, costing in the region of £25,000 to repair.
The Kenfig National Nature Reserve is based in the borough of Bridgend on the coastline between Porthcawl and Port Talbot and is described as “one of Wales’s top sand-dune reserves” featuring a wide range of wildlife, as well as the area’s largest lake, Kenfig Pool.
It is currently run by the Kenfig Corporation Trust, which has owned and managed the site since it was transferred from the care of Bridgend Council in 2019. However, workers say ongoing and “disheartening” acts of vandalism are becoming a regular occurrence that they would like to see stopped.
Chris Jones, 43, works as a warden at the reserve and said the issues with vandalism started a little over two years ago, when fencing was put up to keep grazing animals on the site and keep scrub grasses in check.
He said: “This area is really special and it’s a hub for local wildlife. There’s a lot of different plants and animals that are only based here and a few other places in the country. We’re currently considered as a national nature reserve, a site of scientific interest, and a special area of conservation, which are big designations for wildlife that we are trying to conserve.
“The problems first started for us over two years ago when we needed to get more grazing animals on the site, and to do that we needed to put a fence up as you don’t want big animals going up on to the road.
“Gone are the days when the council were here with teams of mowers out there cutting, and because we physically don’t have the infrastructure to do that, we needed to get grazing animals as there’s no other options.
“We got consent for the fencing but within days of it going up it started being cut down. It’s been cut around 150 times to date which means we’re constantly going through a lot of repairs at a very high cost.”
Chris went on to say that despite the fencing going up in the reserve there were still a number of gates and access points designed for the public to walk through.
He added: “It is very frustrating for us as the fences are put there to keep the animals in and there is still plenty of pedestrian access and bridleway gates that you wouldn’t have to walk far to get to.
“In terms of other damage, they’ve also smashed every single panel up to waist height on our bird hide, as well as damaging the parking meter in the furthest car park to the point where we don’t have the money to repair it or put another one in.
“It’s just disheartening to see that the conservation of the site is being held in such low regard, and we feel the people who come here to cut the fences are just doing it because they don’t like it.”
Another member of the trust who did not wish to be named added: “This is an internationally important nature reserve and it is one of the largest sand dune areas in Europe so it’s incredibly important for local wildlife, as well as being a resource for local people who come here to walk.
“There’s also a centre which is well used by the local community for a range of activities such as wellness and wildlife courses, and it really is becoming a community hub. It’s sad because most people who come here are no problem at all, it’s just a small number that are causing the issues and it’s making life very difficult.”
A spokesperson for South Wales Police confirmed that there had been reports of damage at the reserve, saying: “On 9 April, South Wales Police received a report of damaged fencing at Kenfig Nature Reserve. The matter remains under investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101 quoting reference 2400114056.”
By Lewis Smith, LDRS
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