Allotment spy camera recommendation

[Forage420]

Hi all,
I'm in the unenviable position of having to result to using a camera on my plot to record the comings and goings of people who shouldn't be there.
It's inside a shed behind the glass so it's quite obvious to anyone looking at the shed that it's there. I was hoping it will work as a deterrent. Sadly it's not been very good at picking up images, and there doesn't seem to be much recorded. It should have at leased recorded me when I've crossed it's path a few times, but for some reason there's nothing. I've changed the settings a few times with no luck.
Anyway, while I'm still intending to tinker with it, I'm curious to know if anyone has any suggestions for a camera that they would recommend to me? Perhaps for less than £100. I don't really want to be spending money on this sort of thing, but it's the only way to feel a bit safe.
Note that I have no intention of watching people going about their private business on the site. My camera is pointed so that it covers my plot alone.
You're probably thinking it's quite a far fetched thing to be doing and perhaps unnecessary but sadly theft has happened quite a few times on my site and the committee reaction has been to downplay the severity of it or ignore the problem all together. Site management is another issue entirely I could write extensively about, but I'm stuck with the site I'm on as there is nothing else within walking distance, and the site itself is a really lovely place. It's the people that are the problem.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[greenishfing]

Sorry to hear about your problems. I don't have any recommendations but I'll be interested to hear what others use. Do you have electricity?

[veggiechicken]

Is it theft from your shed or from your plot that concerns you?

[ESBkevin]

There are cameras specifically for capturing wildlife, they turn on only when movement is detected.
I've no real world experience to share though I'm affraid.
They are often camouflaged so you could hide it outside of the shed and not have the glass interfere with detection or image. Many are also capable of infrared which will capture those late night revellers.
Search online for wildlife trail camera, they start about £30 upwards, but you get more as you spend more.
Hope that helps.

[Forage420]

Hi green, I'm currently using a gamepark camera and it works on a PIR censor. The camera is about half the size of a brick. The trouble is the PIR censor part of the camera needs to have a wide range of vision so it can't be obstructed. So the camera would be quite obvious if I was to tie it to a tree or a post and someone would just walk away with it. I don't have electricity so that option is out. Perhaps there might be an option to run something on a low DC voltage that could be wired to a car battery. Ideally it would be handy to get at least a weeks worth of footage out of a camera running on DC, or failing this, get a sensor camera that runs on it's own batteries that actually does what it's supposed
Thanks for your concern

[bario1]

I have one of these - Ltl Acorn 5310A Wildlife Camera Trap with Covert 940nm Infrared.
A great little piece of kit, but not sure if it'll do any better than what you already have.
What do you intend to do with any 'evidence' that you gather? There are some pretty stringent rules about filming people without their consent in public spaces.....

[Forage420]

I have one of these - Ltl Acorn 5310A Wildlife Camera Trap with Covert 940nm Infrared.
A great little piece of kit, but not sure if it'll do any better than what you already have.
What do you intend to do with any 'evidence' that you gather? There are some pretty stringent rules about filming people without their consent in public spaces.....

Hi that's useful. So where do you use your camera? On your plot or in a public area for wildlife?
Anyone stepping foot on my plot without my consent would be doing so at their own risk. I've a right to protect my property and if I found evidence of any more thefts than have already occurred the evidence would be very useful. That shouldn't need further explanation but clearly it does......
I am somewhat familiar with filming rules and I'm not sure if you're aware but your face likely appears on more than 100 cameras a day if you live and travel within in an inner city area, with or without your consent. Filming in a public place is perfectly lawful and legal. Are you of the opinion that I am obligated to provide thieves with free food because I am a leaseholder on a publicly owned site? Have you thought about running for the next Labour leadership, or has that already happened? Who knows.. Who cares

[veggiechicken]

Hi that's useful. So where do you use your camera? On your plot or in a public area for wildlife?
Anyone stepping foot on my plot without my consent would be doing so at their own risk. I've a right to protect my property and if I found evidence of any more thefts than have already occurred the evidence would be very useful. That shouldn't need further explanation but clearly it does......
I am somewhat familiar with filming rules and I'm not sure if you're aware but your face likely appears on more than 100 cameras a day if you live and travel within in an inner city area, with or without your consent. Filming in a public place is perfectly lawful and legal. Are you of the opinion that I am obligated to provide thieves with free food because I am a leaseholder on a publicly owned site? Have you thought about running for the next Labour leadership, or has that already happened? Who knows.. Who cares

I bet Bario is really glad he tried to help you!

[Forage420]

I bet Bario is really glad he tried to help you!

Ya the camera recommendation was helpful.
Not the other part

[veggiechicken]

You didn't have to say so so offensively .

[Mamzie]

Theft is never a nice experience, words can be misinterpreted, but politeness costs nothing.

Food may because someone is hungry. I guess it may also depend if you find its another plot holder, so the committee takes notice and acts or an outsider, in which case the police may need to get involved. If you are hoping it acts as a deterrent, I would consider signposting and erecting some additional dummy tech, alongside a concealed wildlife/cctv system.

[Mr Bones]

I've a Swann Outback camera on the lotty, looks pretty similar to yours. For the PIR to pick up it has to be positioned outside rather than through glass which is difficult if you're trying to keep it from view. Draped with an old green cloth helps to hide it and I'm amazed sometimes when friends can't see it even when I point them in the right direction. Also find it works best with a long angle of approach (or depart) as opposed to crossing straight across the front of it.

[Plot12c]

Very stringent rules and you have to be careful, I take my children to my plot who’s to say that images from somebody filming on there plot cannot get into the wrong hands. Check with your allotment association/council to see where the land lies would be my advice.
I would be extremely upset if images of my children without permission would be found.

[Nicos]

* Mod note...
Please play nicely.
No need for sarcastic comments- not when other members are trying to help.

[Can the Man]

I get the impression somebody has suffered some major theft and is feeling very emotional about it and this is coming over in your text. I suggest (based on emotional experience) write your text and save it, but do not post for 5-10 minutes, then go back and re-read it and edit it when you have calmed down a bit.