losing faith

[TonyF]

Alice, as an ex policeman years back and somebody always involved in that sort of thing, I'm aware of the urban stuff v rural stuff, but at least here they don't have Farmwatch because usually they don't need it. Even rural crime here is different and there are very few reports of crimes against farmers/growers, many fewer apparently that the UK.

You're right about large French cities but interestingly, the crime there isn't usually of this sort. In many ways it's much more serious type of anti-social crime, interestingly anti-social behaviour of this type is usually dealt with quickly and efficiently within the family when it's drawn to their attention, all to do with the 'rights of the individual', believe it or not, a revolutionary thing. I'm a member of the Depertemental (county) crime committee so see the crime figures and this sort of thing, even in larger areas is not tolerated.

When I was in the UK (metropolitan Essex) I had both my sheds, the two brick built integral sheds and both greenhouses alarmed, just in case!

Not trying to be argumentative, just making a point.

[Victoria26]

nip into b&q and get a few "CCTV IN OPERATION" sticky signs. You could even get a fake cctv camera on ebay for a few quid and put it up in a prominent position. (They look quite good with a battery operated flashing red light inside)

It is really awful to hear that but unfortunatly its usually kids. On my allotments I've been warned that they nick the contents of your shed and sell it at the local car boot so I went to the police station and they gave me a free UV pen to mark all my items. If anything goes missing I'll go to the booty with my UV light and show them up for who they really are! (Also painted the handles with Fushia paint for good measure!) I'll have my dog run up in the Summer so I can plaster the place with my "Warning German Sheperd" signs!

Hang in there!

[MrsC]

Acreman, how disheartening for you. Don't be beat! Get it up and running again! Bl**dy vandals make me so angry. I think anyone caught on allotments vandalising should be made to go and clear one with a spade, preferably one covered in brambles 6' high. One of them small border spades btw and a pair of scissors for the brambles!

[straightline]

hi everyone,just a bit of a moan really,3 weeks ago my daughter had all her horse riding equipment stolen and today to cap it all my polytunnel was completley slashed all down one side,they were not content with that and then they decided to smash up everything in side the tunnel,there will be no early crops for me this year,to be honest I don't know wether to cover the tunnel again,well thats my moan over with ,things may look better in the morning

When I was younger (many years ago!!!) we used to go across a farmers fields to get to our stamping grounds in the woods. We never did any damage, I couldn't get into that vandalism thing, but the farmer used to load his own shotgun shells with rock salt and blast away at us. Many a time I went home with red, stingling legs. Shame you can['t do that sort of thing any more to these b*****s, ain't it?

[janeyo]

Ouch. But it didn't stop you though did it! lol

I have my name down for an allotmwent site where I have been reading about lost of vandalism in the paper lately. I wonder if it means I will move up the list any quicker if people get disheartened... That is one in the nearest town. Our localest one has never had any probs as far as I'm aware. (so far).

I think once a site has been targeted once or twice the kids get a taste for it and keep coming back as it's something fun to do on a saturday night while swigging the diamond whites, and waiting to be discovered on X Factor.

(sorry feeling cynical today)

[HayleyB]

I loved the story yesterday of a chap using a giant catapult armed with a trip wire, the ammo - chicken poomixed with water.

I blame the parents of yobbos in this country, the lack of respect stems from the parents themselves not caring.....

Steps off soap box

Dont let the bu**ers beat you Acreman...

[RowanStar]

Oh mate, i am so sorry to hear that, if you need a hand with anything just shout, i may not be ablt to provide much material wise but my offer is there

[Hilary B]

Really sorry to hear that, whereabouts in S'ton are you? We were about 5 miles outside the town before we came up to Cumbria. Don't blame you holding off on the hens for a while.

I remember a news bulletin around the turn of the year which said crime of this sort increases when there is a recession either because the low-lifes are jealous of what you've got, or they think they'll just help themselves to anything they cannot afford.

Danger of breaking neck as I fall off my soap-box, but the folk who claim poverty and that they have to steal always seem to have the money for cigarettes and booze . . .

Is there room for 2 on that soapbox? Amazing how many 'poverty stricken' folk smoke like chimneys, eat 'takeaways' 5 days a week, and have a thirsty car parked outside......

[Irie Jan]

Not much left to say that others have not already said! These lazy good for nothing people really p*s* me off! They are just sad individualls with no lives of their own so they just want to spoil things for others!

Get one of those fake dog alarms rigged up with a trip wire all around your property. Find a picture of the biggest most nasty, snarling dog you can and plaster the place with warning notices (Hungry Dog Looking To Get You!) lol

I do hope all will be well for you in the end! Holla if you need any seeds I wil see what I can help with. I have a few different things.

[bobleponge]

That sucks Acreman, I never get the spelling of this right, but nil illegitimum carborandum (or whatever the phrase is.)
Not much chance the police will catch anyone or do anything much about it, so it must be terribly disheartening for you, but raise your spirits with a chicken run.
Chin up mate.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Sorry to hear your news Acreman. Don't let the b******s get you down. I could send you some seeds if you'd like - just send me a PM. (I'd send you some of my seedlings, but they'd probably die before they got to you). Do let everyone know how you get on.
Love Bernie

[basketcase]

Sorry to hear your news Acreman. Don't let the b******s get you down. I could send you some seeds if you'd like - just send me a PM. (I'd send you some of my seedlings, but they'd probably die before they got to you). Do let everyone know how you get on.
Love Bernie

What dexter said! Including the offer of seeds - I've got loads you can have. Nothing exotic I'm afriad, but you're welcome to them.

PM if interested.
Elizabeth

[weather man]

Just read the post, Acreman, Sorry to hear about your plight, these animals have no respect for anything. I suspect you've been given a crime number etc, this wil probably be recorded as a minor incident which has little or no consolation considering the amount of hard work that one puts in to the plot.
We have 2 allotment sites where i am, and about 3 years ago there was an isolated act of vandalism, the little b!!!!!ds where caught, the kids got a little bit of a ticking off and the parents had the stigma of the police visiting there house.