Villagers say the pigs escaped to dig up their grass six times in January (Image: Google/Getty)
Having to contend with pesky wildlife might be par for the course for those living in pretty like Garvestone.
But recent unwelcome visitors have dug up gardens and caused thousands of pounds of damage for residents of the village – leaving them feeling “angry” and powerless.
The herd of around 100 pigs have mounted numerous escapes from a farm near Town Lane and Tanners Green in the small parish, with a handful of particularly rambunctious swine heading straight for neatly turfed local gardens and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The farmer responsible for the invading pigs, Trevor Armiger, has blamed a mysterious third party cutting the animals’ fences to let them escape on the frequent excursions.
He told the that he had CCTV footage and broken locks to support his claims of falling victim to repeated acts of criminal damage.
The farmer insisted. “There’s nothing we’ve been doing to let them out and as soon as we’re aware they’re out, we bring them back.”
: [REPORT]
The pigs have caused over £1,000 in damage to villagers’ lawns (Image: Getty)
Angry locals who believe they have been put under siege by the rampaging hogs are less willing to admit defeat, however.
Colin Williams, who has set up a CCTV system to keep an eye out for stray pigs, said the animals had been escaping like clockwork for months – with a trip out last weekend the sixth time they’d broken free this year.
Mr Williams, who said damage caused to his lawn by the herd had risen to over £1,000, added: “We came here to live in this lovely village, but now the first thing you see when you cross the railway is mullered grass.
“We just want this to stop.”
Don’t miss… [REPORT] [REPORT] [REPORT]
His next-door neighbours Lorraine and Phil Williams have also grown increasingly frustrated by the hoofed trespassers, telling the EDP they are running out of people to seek help from after being told the matter doesn’t warrant a criminal investigation.
“We’ve been told this is a civil matter. I’m now looking to speak to Citizens Advice about what we can do,” Ms Williams said. “I’m so angry,” her husband added. “We just know it’s such a lot of money to fix this.”
Norfolk Police said an investigation into criminal damage linked to a fence being cut on Town Lane in Garvestone had been closed after exhausting “all lines of enquiry”. An investigation by the local council is reportedly ongoing.