A community garden has been trashed twice in the space of a week.

The Enchanted Garden, which used to be a patch of abandoned ground, covered in hypodermic needles, litter and beer cans at St Botolph’s Church in Dover Road, Northfleet, is in the process of being transformed.

But during the nights of Wednesday, November 2, and Friday 4, vandals ripped up shrubs and threw them over a cliff, smashed trellis-work and stole wheelbarrows.

It has destroyed the work of No Walls Gardens, a community interest group which specialises in gardening projects and is the brainchild of Northfleet councillor Peter Scollard.

Around 15 volunteers make it up, including some long-term unemployed who are trying to give something back to the community, those with learning difficulties who find it difficult to get into work, and ex-offenders.

Cllr Scollard said: “There are people here who are ex alcoholics and drug addicts, too, everybody is vulnerable.

“Yes, some do get to see the other side of crime but they’re not the only people who are being affected by this. It’s demoralising having something you’ve worked hard on destroyed, and it’s not for the first time.” Three months ago £5,000 worth of equipment and plants were stolen. Last year the group planted fruit trees in South Kent Avenue, but they, too, were ripped up from their roots. The incidents were reported to police.

Now the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation has pledged funds to have electricity on the site and install cameras to make the area less vulnerable.

It is estimated the installation, lights, cameras and security locks will cost around £5,000.

The group initially had £8,000 funding from the Tesco 5p bag initiative in New Road, Gravesend, and it was hoped the garden would be finished by now, but the continual setbacks mean it is not likely to be done until the spring.

Cllr Scollard is happy for people to borrow and return the equipment, which is why the thefts feel particularly malicious.

Cllr Scollard is taking action to tackle the anti-social behaviour.

He said: “We know this is mostly kids, and who they are, but it’s proving it. They’re little bleeders.

“We’re trying to engage kids in the area and get them involved in the gardens. We’ve had them planting hanging baskets and things, because we think if they’re part of creating it, they won’t destroy it.

“But you just can’t get through to some people and it only takes one or two troublemakers. At the moment we seem to have a gang we just can’t get through to.

“If the parents are on board it helps, they’ll say to their own kids, ‘I hope you’re not doing stupid things like that’.

“We’re trying to make it nice, for their benefit as well as everyone else.

“This is a community scheme and everyone needs to support it. I know it’s not always as easy but if you see someone doing damage, tell them off, and report it.”

The group has cleared pathways, tidied gardens and created the Secret Garden at the church which can be used for craft sessions or events. They also hold a free barbecue there each month.

That garden is securely locked overnight, so does not get much trouble.

Cllr Scollard added: “These things seem to get targeted half way through but when they’re done they get appreciated and left alone. We just have to keep pushing on.

“It’s been transformed over the past few years but you do get these phases of trouble. That’s the nature of the world.”

On November 24, singer Emma Stevens will be going to the garden to sing and film, and help plant more than 100 trees, and spring bulbs.