Dursley News
Concerns raised over bottle digging in Dursley Woods
9:30am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
A DOG walker from Dursley has warned other people to be careful if they venture into local woods after a spate of bottle digging in the town.
In recent weeks it is believed treasure hunters have been bottle digging in Dursley Woods, off Nunnery Lane, in an attempt to find antique glass bottles, which they can sell.
Dursley Woods has become a target because it was once the site of an old tip but those looking for wares to sell have left broken glass and bottles strewn across the woodland floor.
Martin Everett, who walks his two Dobermans, Dylan and Dexter, on a daily basis in the area, said he had seen people digging and was concerned someone or an animal could be hurt.
He said: "People have been up there digging for treasure like bottles and stuff like that.
"Before it was woods it was a tip and there’s all sorts buried up there so people dig holes 15ft down.
"They’ve taken all the good bottles and left about a tonne of glass around the woods."
He added: "This is the main dog walking area for Dursley, there are elderly people who go up there for walks and after school there are always lots of kids who go up there.
"You’ve got these beautiful woods and there’s just glass as far as the eye can see.
"Anyone or any animal could easily hurt themselves up there."
Dursley Town Council said it was aware of the problem and had sent a team up to the woods to tidy up.
Collecting antique bottles has been a popular hobby in Britain for almost 40 years. Across the country there are thought to be thousands of enthusiasts who spend their spare time searching cellars, attics, rivers, ponds and Victorian dump sites for old bottles.
Gloucestershire Police said the practice of bottle digging was not illegal but those taking part in the hobby could fall foul of the law if the digging takes place on private land and if the items taken belong to someone else then it could become trespass and theft. If any property has been damaged to get to the items then it could become criminal damage.