Vandals have wrecked a piece of grassland in Wigan where a rare marsh plant grows.
Highfield Moss, in Lowton, is protected as a sight of special scientific interest because it is the last remaining place in the north west where the Marsh Gentian grows.
But police are investigating after trees were chopped down and some of the land was dug up and shaped into make-shift bike jumps.
Officers received reports that an area of the moss was damaged on April 21.
The bright blue Marsh Gentian flowers only grow in acidic marshy grassland which used to surround the area but their habitat has been destroyed as wetland has been drained and by climate change.
Wildlife Crime Officer PC Mark Ryding said: “There is only a small patch of Marsh Gentian in that area and it is the only place in the north west where it grows.
”It appears that someone has used hand tools to dig into the grassland to make bike jumps.
”Because of somebody’s selfish and stupid behaviour a very exciting and special site has been damaged irreparably and I want to find out who is responsible for it.”
Officers are appealing to anyone with information about the incident to call police on 0161 856 7040, Natural England on 0300 060 2922 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Bury the cretin responsible alive and plant Marsh Gentians on him\it.
Even pigs dont mess up their surroundings.And the mess is left for decent people to put right. control is what is needed here to teach these people how to behave in a civilised community.
So we now have police resources available to investigate a few chopped down trees, but not enough to find the miserable old man who smashed my car in a Stockport car park 2 weeks ago. Oh, by the way, if anyone is interested the CCTV in Mersyway multi storey is out of action. An operator confided that to me when I enquired about available footage.
""Oh, by the way, if anyone is interested the CCTV in Mersyway multi storey is out of action. An operator confided that to me when I enquired about available footage""
I am sure all the car thieves in the area are grateful for your tip off "They've come to take me away".
Captain Clarence Over, City of Bury..and now the fact had been aired in public maybe the council will do something about it.