Arson

[Hans Mum]

Point taken, it was just a thought.

& a very welcome thought .......

[Bigmallly]

I will get down at some point, it's been so damned cold.

[Feral007]

So sorry for you Hansmum. I can't stand that sort of behaviour. Keep your ears open as people often can't keep quiet forever. Often the culprit will boast to someone, or someone who hears something will pass it on. Won't be proof, but you would then have some idea who it may have been. You and the other two plot owners could post a reward for information leading to the conviction of the culprits. That would worry them at least, lot of people are inclined to need a bit of extra money about this time of year.


Pity there's no way you could do something like those houses I've heard about....the theives can break in but everything locks down and they can't get back out. Probably out of your pricerange, but I have always thought I'd like to be able to present the police with the culprits if that happened.

[Aberdeenplotter]

HM, you have my total sympathy. I have lots of my dad's old tools and would heartbroken if I lost them. It was my dad that gave me such a love of growing vegetables and just using his old tools brings back fond memories.

Our site had 4 sheds burned down in a two year period but we think there is a firebug in our community. A local school, closed when a new one was built has been torched as has a local social club recently closed. Easier to accept that kind of fireraising than to know you have been victimised although I realise even that won't give you any comfort.

In the meantime try to think along the lines that what goes around comes around and the perpetrator(s) will surely get their just desserts in the fullness of time.

[VirginVegGrower]

The 3 targetted are the Officers of the association



Nope 3 officers & only our sheds. We're looking at CCTV installation.

Are you an officer of the association. Have you made a decision recently that could be linked to this, eg. Revenge act? I am in no way condoning this behaviour by the way. Just thought it might lead you to your key holder suspect. Could it just be local thugs/bored kids?

[Bigmallly]

I've been thinking HM (I do most of my thinking at silly hour):

Fact: Assuming it is a keyholder, it is someone with a key to the "New" lock.
Fact: You have only taken over your new plot in the last 3 weeks or so, therefore it is someone who knows you have moved plots.
Fact: Only Committee members have been targeted.

I cannot see it been a present keyholder unless serious words have been had with someone. This in my mind leaves 2 options.
Either it's a local yob who has co-incidentally hit yours, A's & G's...... or someone who has been evicted in the last 3 weeks with a key for the new lock (which was only changed recently) & knows you have moved plots. I just cannot see it been a present holder, it doesn't make sense & I cannot think of anyone who would stoop so low. If it does turn out to be a present plotholder then my judgement is really poor. I do hope you find out who is responsible.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Are you an officer of the association. Have you made a decision recently that could be linked to this, eg. Revenge act? I am in no way condoning this behaviour by the way. Just thought it might lead you to your key holder suspect.

I have to say that is exactly my train of thought and surely the police must be thinking along the same lines. If the police won't pursue this for you, contact your local MP and try to get him to force the issue on your behalf.

[veggiechicken]

I'd add to all the above thoughts, especially BM's who knows the site, that you think about the pattern of the attacks. Four sheds destroyed and on at least 2 different occasions. Were 3 destroyed in one night then they came back for your new shed?Presumably after dark - were they reported to fire/police by any of the local householders?
Is there any way of getting into the site - climbing over fences? Perhaps from a neighbouring house? Do you have anyone living nearby who objects to the allotments in any way - perhaps parking issues or blocking their view. Sometimes it only takes a trivial thing to trigger a response that is totally out of proportion.
Also how many plotholders knew that you were moving plots and has this been your intention for some while? Could anyone else have wanted that plot?

[zazen999]

Have you been to the police. Arson is arson!

[Bigmallly]

I believe the Police are involved. Parking is on site so cannot see any issues there. There is fencing and viscous brambles all around the site but I am sure if somebody wanted to get in, they could, as with any unlawful entry. There is only one row of properties run along the allotment of which my plot backs onto, I have not heard of nor encountered any problems. I do feel for HM as she puts a lot of work into the site along with the other committee members.

[zazen999]

If they are involved, I'm not sure this thread should be here. Too much info could be given away if the arsonist knows that HM is a regular they could be reading this.

[vikkib]

That is absolutely awful, just terrible, Hans Mum; you have my deepest sympathies.

It must feel very painful and feel very personal but bearing in mind who they targeted it sounds like it's the position of 'Officer' they've targeted rather than you as individuals/people. I'm not sure that would make me feel better in your situation but it may be worth holding onto.

The thing that struck me was what you said about them having 'realised their mistake' about you having moved plots. If you'd moved a week or so ago and they had been about on the plots in the meantime surely they would have known that you had moved before they came the first time and would have attacked the new plot or attacked both at the same time?

If not, as it seems, and they only realised afterwards how did they find out?

If someone told them then someone might know who did it, perhaps a reward, like Feral says, may persuade someone to say something although you would have hoped that seeing that sort of devastation would mean they'd do it off their own back.

If they realised themselves then maybe it's someone who had not been on the plots during the time you moved but has been on the plots since the first arson attack... would that narrow it down at all?

Either way it sounds like someone comfortable enough with their surroundings to risk going onto the plots after dark to commit a crime twice in a short space of time. They might feel comfortable enough to do it again, perhaps if you could get some sort of CCTV put up quietly and discreetly with something as 'bait' you could get the evidence you need? Even a few donated tools or something off Freecycle under a couple of pieces of plywood on an Officers plot might be enough?

[Bigmallly]

If they are involved, I'm not sure this thread should be here. Too much info could be given away if the arsonist knows that HM is a regular they could be reading this.

It is a tricky one Zaz, I agree. PM HM & see what you both think.

[jackyspratty]

Just read this ....how terrible. Ive been to the site a few times and its ckear how hard the committee work, its a beautiful site. To lose everything as well must just leave you so at a loss. To feel targeted as well is a terrible feeling. I hope the police get whoever did it, as zaz says arson is arson. If you need a hand with anything on the plot give me a nudge, you know where I am and Im only down the road.

I dont have many seeds Im afraid as I had my box pinched from my step earlier in the year, but Ill have a look in spring and see if i can pass some your way, or I can start some seedlings off for you in my polytunnel.

How people can be so vindictive is beyond me. take care HM.

[Jeanied]

HM just post what seeds you would like on here. While we are around, I am sure you will have as many seeds as you would like for next year! I am so sorry to read this, my thoughts are with you HM.