need advice on dealing with plot holder

[marathon]

This is a difficult thing to discuss as there are certain facts that I can only explain to people by PM but an issue we have on our site at the moment is -

a new plot holder is not leaving the site until past midnight. Often doesn't turn up until past 9.30pm and brings and leaves non plot holders (I'll have to PM the details of the non plot holders) on the site, then locks the gates and leaves returning really late.

Not sure how we handle it other than impose a new rule - all plot holders should vacate site by 9.30pm

other things have caused concern, driving too fast down the lane, leaving food wrappers out, leaking oil all down the lane, nearby plot holders finding whole crops of strawberries have been picked (picked clean of plant so can't be birds)

Forgot to say the non plot holders are the ones that have been working the plot but even then a very tiny amount of work in the 8 weeks of the plot holder taking the allotment

[rustylady]

Is he/she gardening at that time? Seems unlikely! How do you know what time they turn up and leave? If you're sure they're there and up to no good why not call the police and report intruders?

[zazen999]

What does the person who issues the plots have to say about this?

[rana]

If they are not causing any bother and are caring for the plot (and no crime is committed) is it worth worrying about. The other problems are perennial issues for most allotment sites and are usually addressed with a polite reminder of the appropriate rules sent to all plot holders.

[marathon]

Is he/she gardening at that time? Seems unlikely! How do you know what time they turn up and leave? If you're sure they're there and up to no good why not call the police and report intruders?

One of the other plot holders lives right behind the site. They have full view of the plots from the bedroom windows as do all the people who's house back onto the site.

They attach a light to the shed and dig in the dark. We also know the times they arrive because the noise of the van truning up and the banging of the gate is disturbing the people who live in the houses.

The first time it happened the people who live in the house thought it as kids only to find the plotholder digging at 11pm then a few days later someone was woken up by one of the non plot holders trying to get out but the gate was locked.

But how does someone deal with such a thing. I have been turning up on certain evenings but haven't been able go up every evening. A firm word about health and safety and the complaints from the neighbours I was hoping was all that was needed but what happens if he doesn't listen.

[zazen999]

Perhaps he has a big family and they work shifts?

[Fluorescent green]

Hi

You should not have to pm people to say what they are doing, unless it is a matter for the police.
If its disturbing neighbours tho, it should be stopped.
Have you had complaints?

FG

[marathon]

well the average age of the non plot holders is about 80+, yes we have had complaints about the noise when they leave,concerns over the non plot holders being left and from other plot holders that fruit is missing on the morning after they have been. ( if i was left locked in and was hungrey think i may be forced to pick a few)

Now i know that some people don't have gardens and yes some people work shifts, even thought that they don't like people.

The chairmen is still on holiday, I'm the Sec. I don't have any contact details for the guy as the chairman still hasn't passed them onto me. I did suggest that the people backing onto the plots phone the police if the non plot holders are left again (even when raining) so maybe they would ask the right questions.

I'm just finding it a really difficult thing to deal with, other plot holders would prefer he wasn't there but a small section of the plot is dug so they've started and the non plot holders could say they want to be there. However, the visiters are not so good on their feet and I'm concerned what would happen if one of them should fall.

[rustylady]

However, the visiters are not so good on their feet and I'm concerned what would happen if one of them should fall.

What do you mean? Are they elderly, disabled, or what?

[marathon]

What do you mean? Are they elderly, disabled, or what?

yes they are elderly

[rustylady]

The mind boggles!!
Beginning to sound a bit like elder abuse - is the plotholder perhaps taking his elderly parents to the lottie and making them dig in the dark? Or do you think they are doing it voluntarily? Are there only two of them?

[rainbowminx]

It's hard to advise when the details are so sketchy! The way I am reading it is that the plotholder is setting up a light and getting a bunch of elderly folk to do his digging until midnight, leaving them to fend for themselves by eating strawberries when they get hungry, which sounds incredibly odd to me! All I can say is that if you have concerns about these people, a call to your neighbourhood policing team would probably be the best course of action so they can pay a visit at the relevant time and see for themselves what is going on. I am intrigued!

[organic vic]

Surely if they are stealing other peoples produce they should be evicted from the site?
I am sure there are many people that are desperate for a plot like myself and would not make such a nuisance of themselves by disturbing neighbours. Should the non plot holders be allowed on the site by themselves?

[zazen999]

Curiouser and curiouser......

I don't think you need a new rule to deal with it - I think they need a warning letter to stop disturbing the neighbours and to stop stealing produce from other plots. Or turn up late and evict the non-plot holders and get the keys back from the plot holder and evict them. Depends on how you want to play it.

I'd try and find out what the score is first; it sounds very strange and I'm sure there will be some logical explanation but even with that you can't have the neighbours complaining can you?

[SarzWix]

How utterly bizarre Our rules would cover it, as no non-plotholders are allowed on a plot unless the plot-holder is present, although you can arrange to have someone there helping out in exceptional circumstances if you speak to the committee first.
I'd do as mentioned above and have a word with your local community police officer - if elderly people are getting locked in, then that sounds like false imprisonment to me, which is an offence...