VANDALS have trashed a nature reserve and left two burnt-out cars on the river bank.

The cars were discovered on Wednesday, October 24, at Curbridge Nature Reserve on the bank of Hamble River.

It is believed that in the early hours of Wednesday morning the vandals smashed the cars through two gates at Burridge before "joy riding" on the reserve and burning the two vehicles.

A barbed wire enclosure was also damaged.

The reserve is owned by the National Trust which holds several designations including; Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA).

Catherine Hadler from the National Trust said: "It is a highly important area, it is an SAC and an SPA.

"We are trying to get it removed but its all cost and time to a charity.

"It just shows a massive disregard to wildlife- it is mindless vandalism.

"There have been lots of local people offering to help clear up the mess.

"You see the best of people but you also see the worst."

 

The National Trust are working with a local scrap yard in an attempt to get the cars removed from the area.

A social media user said: "A completely mindless thing to do.

"So sad to see such a special place be treated in this way."

The Daily Echo have contacted Hampshire Constabulary and are awaiting a response.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 quoting: 18102400156.