Break in at allotment

[Bramwell]

Our allotment site is new and has about 50 plots on it. Most people have only been in there about a month and there aren't any sheds yet. The owners of the land have put a locked gate (heavy duty locks) and a large timber shed (again locked) for us to keep valuables in like mowers, wheelbarrows, etc.

Last week the site was broken into and the gate smashed open overnight. Apparently some men with a flat bed truck broke into the shed and stole THE SHED! That's right - all the equipment was found next morning sitting on the foundations and the walls and roof of the shed had gone.

I know that there it supposed to be a national shortage of fence panels, but has anyone else come across this?

Bramwell

[kernowyon]

Our allotment site is new and has about 50 plots on it. Most people have only been in there about a month and there aren't any sheds yet. The owners of the land have put a locked gate (heavy duty locks) and a large timber shed (again locked) for us to keep valuables in like mowers, wheelbarrows, etc.

Last week the site was broken into and the gate smashed open overnight. Apparently some men with a flat bed truck broke into the shed and stole THE SHED! That's right - all the equipment was found next morning sitting on the foundations and the walls and roof of the shed had gone.

I know that there it supposed to be a national shortage of fence panels, but has anyone else come across this?

Bramwell

half terms are the worst for break ins around our site, most people do not lock sheds now. the last time we had a break in the lovelys left beer cans scattered throughout th esite, the police managed to get some DNA from them which matched a local, but he was not prosecuted through lack of evidence! i'm afraid that you cant stop idiots getting into sites if they want to as most sites are out of the way.

[Snadger]

Just in case they come back for the tools, dig a grave like hole in a secluded part of your lottie, put your inexpensive tools in a sack and put in hole. Put an old door over the top. Anyone looknig for tools to sell at a car boot sale would never think of lifting an old door lying on an allotment.
Any expensive tools............bring em with you each time you visit!

PS Similar thing happened locally, but the scrap men nicked the metal double gates instead!

[shirlthegirl43]

How strange. At least everyone's tools were safe one way or another. I like Snadger's suggestion for a hidey hole (would it work for my chocolate stash?)

[Flummery]

A 'grave-like hole' might work as a threat/deterrent anyway Snadger!

[Nicos]

[QUOTE=shirlthegirl43;144992 I like Snadger's suggestion for a hidey hole (would it work for my chocolate stash?)[/QUOTE]

Not now we know where it is Shirl!!!

What a frustrating start Bramwell- don't let it put you off though.
There will be a lot of team building going on now that you have a common problem.At least you were all affected and not just you.

Have you contacted the local Homewatch (if it's near houses?). The neighbours may well keep an eye out for you, as you can for them.
Swap a few phone numbers too.

[Shortie]

Ooo that's a good idea Snadger!

[Eden]

we had all the pumpkins stolen off our plot, thought they would be used for halloween lanterns but no, they were all smashed all over the villages roads! break-ins are so disheartening, but don't let it get you down. I must say, I've never heard of the shed being stolen though!

[moggssue]

How strange - you'd think they would take the tools as well to sell. Dont be disheartened, just keep going and don't them beat you!

I like the 'grave' idea as well.... conjures up alsorts of images I have to say ...

[kirsty b]

How strange. At least everyone's tools were safe one way or another. I like Snadger's suggestion for a hidey hole (would it work for my chocolate stash?)

Probably cos I don't live close enough to come and pinch it!

[shirlthegirl43]

Probably cos I don't live close enough to come and pinch it!

Lol, now I just need the energy to dig the hole and the money to buy some choccy to bury

[Two_Sheds]

It's awful isn't it, and seems to be nothing you can do except pick up the pieces. The police aren't interested in protecting your plots or catching the vandals (however, try writing a threatening letter to a cat, they'll be round PDQ !!)
We are having things LEFT on our site - old mattresses, fridges and so on keep appearing in front of our site gates. The council aren't interested in removing this flytipping.

[bubblewrap]

It's awful isn't it, and seems to be nothing you can do except pick up the pieces. The police aren't interested in protecting your plots or catching the vandals (however, try writing a threatening letter to a cat, they'll be round PDQ !!)
We are having things LEFT on our site - old mattresses, fridges and so on keep appearing in front of our site gates. The council aren't interested in removing this flytipping.

One slight difference on our site we have a skip.
As we are in the middle of a small council estate the locals use it to get rid of their rubbish.
I don't have a problem with that at least they are not dumping it on the street.

[NOG]

The bugger climed the wall to our allotments. opened all the sheds and wheeled the mowers and stuff up to the gate then set fire to a block of sheds. Then they called the fire brigade. When they turned up they chopped the padlock and drove in.....as our site it 29 Acres...the pondies then reversed a van in and loaded up all the stuff and drove off.