Benches dumped in River Yare behind UEA village in Norwich

Between four and five handmade benches were found dismantled and thrown into the nearby River Yare, in Millennium Walk, behind the UEA village near Bowthorpe Marshes.

It comes within a year of multiple e-bikes being found floating along the same stretch of river.

The benches were located in Millennium Walk, near Bowthorpe Marshes (Image: Nancy Harris)

Nancy Harris, who lives in George Fox Way and regularly walks her dogs around the area, spotted the vandalised benches on Saturday.

She said: "I was on my usual walk and saw the benches had been thrown into the river by some idiots.

"It's so upsetting. I think these benches were made by volunteers and went through a lot of trouble to make them.

Nancy Harris, who lives in George Fox Way, regularly walks her dogs around Millennium Walk (Image: Nancy Harris)

"It's usually a lovely place to walk my dogs but there are instances when it has been ruined by a few.

"There are occasions when I see people drinking and smoking near the riverside and it puts me off going there in the evenings now."

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Nancy also recalled a similar incident, when she saw multiple Beryl Bikes being pulled from the river last year.

The benches were found dumped in the River Yare at the weekend (Image: Nancy Harris)

The benches were reportedly removed yesterday. 

Beth Jones, Labour councillor for the University ward and deputy leader at City Hall, added: "There is no excuse for dumping rubbish or items like this.

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"It's incredibly disappointing but also selfish that there are those who can't respect this area, that people enjoy so much and the diversity of wildlife.

Councillor for University Ward, Beth Jones, said there is no excuse for the vandalism (Image: Beth Jones)

"I know from walking through regularly myself and feedback from residents in my ward this is not the first time items have been dumped here and I would encourage residents to report any such fly-tipping online so it can be cleared.  

"It's a beautiful, tranquil area and it really saddens me that anyone would treat it in such a disrespectful way."

In June last year multiple Beryl Bikes were found dumped in the same stretch of river (Image: Nancy Harris)