WILDLIFE at a Malmesbury nature reserve could be under threat due to vandalism and other anti-social behaviour.

In the past few weeks Wiltshire Police has received reports that people have been cutting down trees, making dens using beer barrels, starting fires and smoking cannabis in the Conygre Mead Nature Reserve.

And the actions of the unknown individuals has sparked fears that the habitat of resident animals like badgers and birds could be destroyed, as well as putting off visitors,

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “This activity poses a threat to their habitat as well as other people visiting the nature reserve. We will be treating this as a priority due to the potential for a serious fire taking hold in the very dry conditions we are experiencing.”

Mary Hill, of the Malmesbury River Valleys Trust, which is responsible for the reserve, said she was disheartened to hear about what had been happening.

“We are very disappointed when these things happen because we all work as volunteers and sometimes you think you are doing a good job and then something like this happens and you think where do we go from here.

“By and large people respect it but they are these few that don’t. I would be happy if they had more respect for the environment and wildlife in particular. It is a place for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy it responsibly; do not spoil it for other people using it."

Residents and regular users of the reserve have also expressed their concern that vandalism and drug use is taking place in the park.

Claire Bullock, who lives on Holloway, which is near the nature reserve and runs Little Baby Yoga, said: “They are littering in a nature reserve - it shows no respect for the environment. It is unthinking behaviour.”

Norman Nash, who also lives on Holloway, said the nature reserve was an important feature of neighbourhood life and he hopes the police will take action against those committing the crimes.

A visitor to the reserve who does not want to be named said: “My heart goes out to the youngsters that feel they need to do that.”

If you have information about the incidents in the reserve then call police on 101.