ARSON attacks at a Letchworth GC recycling site this week has forced North Herts District Council (NHDC) to withdraw most of the service there - the second time this has happened in Comet country in the past five months.

Vandals caused �7,600 worth of damage to three banks - for cans, textiles and glass - when they struck at Pelican Way on Monday night.

This follows an earlier attack at the site last autumn and NHDC has now decided to withdraw the service there, leaving just the plastic bank.

The council removed recycling banks from Westmill in Hitchin last October after repeated arson incidents, with the cost of arson attacks on North Herts sites during the last three months now totalling �18,900.

“Because of the actions of a few antisocial individuals, residents at the Grange in Letchworth are being deprived of their recycling banks,” said Cllr Peter Burt, NHDC portfolio holder for waste and recycling.

“NHDC is committed to helping residents recycle as much as possible but we cannot afford to keep replacing banks that are destroyed in a dangerous way.

“This means more waste is likely to go into landfill, damaging the environment and raising our costs, affecting everyone in North Herts.

“If you see someone acting suspiciously at any of our banks, please call the police.”