Scottish teens charged after thousands of bees killed at strawberry farm

Police have charged four youths with vandalism, following incidents at a Scottish strawberry farm.

This comes following a witness appeal from officers for people to come forward if they had information over incidents at the farm near Perth, reports the Daily Record.

In a post on Facebook, the force said: “Following a previous witness appeal, Police Scotland can report: Four boys, three aged 15 and one aged 13 have been cautioned and charged with two separate vandalisms at Tofthill Farm, Inchyra.

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“The first incident which took place between Friday 24th May and Saturday 25th May, saw a number of plants and farming equipment as well as two bee boxes containing approximately 2,000 bees vandalised and killed as a result.

“Whilst enquiries were on-going, a second vandalism was committed on Wednesday 12th June whereby a further two boxes were damaged and a further 2,000 bees were killed.”

The update about the teenagers, posted on the Police Scotland Tayside page on the social media site, reads: “A report will be submitted to the Youth Justice Assessor.”

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The Daily Record previously reported that a police probe was underway after thousands of bees were killed on the farm. A post on the Police Scotland Tayside Facebook page at the time contained a statement from a spokesperson for the farm.

It said: “We are incredibly disappointed to be subjected to a vandalism at the weekend. Aside from jumping on our equipment and damaging it, the most heart-breaking aspect of it is that some 2,000 bees were killed and dozens of fresh strawberry plants were maliciously damaged.

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“Bees are truly the most magnificent and efficient pollinators on any farm and it’s thanks to them that we all get fed. After an incredibly difficult winter for farming, where it is getting harder and harder to produce food, we only have utter contempt for the individuals who have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.”

The farm is owned by Stewarts of Tayside Ltd and claims to be Scotland’s leading independent grower of strawberries, saying they “stand at the forefront of the berry farming industry”.

The Stewarts website states they “employ cutting-edge agricultural practices, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and environmentally friendly methods to ensure optimal growing conditions.”