Sheds.... how do you cope with vandalism

[Nicky]

I've had my plot for nearly two years now. When I took it on everyone said I was brave putting up a greenhaouse as it would be vandalised.
Well it's lasted so far but in the last few months my shed has been broken into three times. It's just getting to the point where I'm fed up and concidering not renewing the rent next year. The allotment people at the council don't seem bothered nor do the police who just say that the kids aren't frightened of them at all and they know they won't be caught! I've not got much stuiff in there, even less now but it's just the fact they always chuck everything on the floor and cause a mess, taking really stupid stuff like my kettle and a very small portable adio which had a broken arial anyway which was why it was down there. I used to find the allotment relaxing but it's just one more stress I don't need. Walking down there to see if it's been done over again.
How does everyone else cope with stuff like this? It must happen elsewhere.

[Nicos]

We changed sites

[Two_Sheds]

You could type up a letter (large type) saying how it makes you feel, this vandalism. Leave it prominently inside the shed. They may realise the error of their ways ! Leave some "special" chocolate inside your shed (laxative, wrapped up in a normal choccy wrapper).

Leave the door unlocked, hide your tools elsewhere (I leave my fork in a load of nettles)

[lottie dolly]

we had a lot of bother,we were told to ring the police EVERY time an insident occured,the reason being,if EVERYONE on site with a plot thats been affected, rings in,especially when it happens a lot,THEN the police will mark it as a hot spot,and should do something,on our site they came looking around during the night,the last 2/3 weeks is so far been great,we still take care with regards to what we leave down there,and do not lock the shed any more,as it can do more damage to the shed if it's padlocked,as they jemmy it open,even the police said we must ring them,as without how do they know a problem exists,make a big nuisance of yourselves.

[bluemoon]

As lottie dolly says, always tell the police. We were given this advice and eventually the council made the site much more secure after pressure from the constabulary. We still don't leave anything of value in the shed, just the old tools. The new or good quality ones we keep in the boot of the car - although we even had those stolen once when we left it parked at the kerb overnight.

[robD]

We had one of the sheds burned down the other night on our site, together with some mindless vandalism tipping over plants in greenhouse, etc. We too are told to report every incident, but some of the old guys on site don't see the point as they say the police never do anything.

Like others advise, I never leave anything of value on site and whilst my shed has a lock on it people can see in it - and see there's nothing worth pinching!

[Mikey]

You gotta think like a kid, leave the shed unlocked, fill a bucket with wee and keep it in your shed. Collect some really old y fronts and have them damp and hanging in the shed, great for wiping down tools with, especially if they are damp with oil.

So picture the scene, they open the door they see your y's hanging up and the stench of pee, do you honestly think they are going to step inside.

[Nicky]

I wish other people would report the crimes but everyone is resigned to it.
There's been loads of publicity as the local community group got lottery money to have a special community garden on our site - the thefts and vandalism have increased since this started and the community service blokes started working on their part of the site. I know you can't blame them but when we were just another allotment site there wasn't the same trouble it's just galling that we've accomodated this community group yet it's people from the community that are parents of the kids theiving and vandalising our plots.

[guinness]

I moved to the mountains in France! We don't get ANY vandalism here!!

The kids are brought up to respect other peoples property. And almost every household has a gun (for hunting)! Thats another great deterrent

Unfortunately most people don't have tht option so you are stuck in the UK. I chose to get out a few years back and definately NO REGRETS!!

I still have to come to England once a month for work so do see the difference each time

[Nicos]

I wish other people would report the crimes but everyone is resigned to it.
There's been loads of publicity as the local community group got lottery money to have a special community garden on our site - the thefts and vandalism have increased since this started and the community service blokes started working on their part of the site. I know you can't blame them but when we were just another allotment site there wasn't the same trouble it's just galling that we've accomodated this community group yet it's people from the community that are parents of the kids theiving and vandalising our plots.

Ha!!! I LOVE the way you think!!!! ( bet it works too!!)

[Mikey]

I think the problem you have nicky is the allotments went completely under the kids radar, until a big event was made of them. Allotments should be there for everyone, on the condition that they keep it hush hush!!