Theft and vandalism

[piskieinboots]

I'm just about to take on a new lottie and so am all fresh with excitement and anticipation - as you'd expect.

I have just read an article (in a gardening newspaper) about theft and vandalism going on on plots all over the country. The Editor of said newspaper even had wooden pegs stolen, which she had put in for raspberry holding

One old boy is thinking of giving up - that is very sad

Snowdrop has frequently pointed out the potential theft/vandalism to me - something to do with him being a copper I guess! But I feel you have to not worry about it - just crack on.

How do 'you' stay positive? Has this happened on your site?

[pipkins]

Our site was broken in to just after Christmas, most sheds without windows forced but nothing taken from anyone.

My friend at work has just been offered a lottie but site has no security at all and borders a private housing estate who residents just go and just help themselves, not good, she said no as did not feel safe and that is in some tiny little village in Kent.

Such a shame

[Jeanied]

I think all allotments are potentially targets for people wanting to steal or vandalise. My shed has been broken into several times - so much so that I have left it unlocked when the last lot of damage happened (the lock was forced off the door and removed so I didn't have a lot of choice).
But I try not to let it all spoil my outlook - I still love my lottie. I have never had vandalism that I thought was targeting me only - it was all just mindless stuff or someone systematically going through all the sheds for anything valuable. And they miss what I consider to be the most valuable of all - my fruit and veggies!

[piskieinboots]

... I have never had vandalism that I thought was targeting me only

Oh totally, I think this is a good point to keep in mind for anyone wishing to embark on the wonderful lottie life - whilst it may feel personally, it never is!

My new site has no security, there are no fences, gates etc - so it'll be interesting to see what happens.

[HeyWayne]

I think this is in part why we are not allowed sheds or greenhouses on our site.

Whilst the site is not located anywhere where 'youf' would be passing by, or close to anywhere they would naturally congregate, I think the allotment society have agreed it's the best course of action.

There is a locked shed (prefab garage) at the top of the site which houses some seeds/weedkiller and a few tools for all to share and this has been broken into before and the petrol strimmer was stolen, but I think that's it luckily.

[Hans Mum]

we've just had a speight of vandalism started with local kids nicking drinks & snacks then when we stopped leaving anything they got a bit naughty and started snapping plants in greenhouses
we've spent this weekend plastering anti vandal paint on the exterior of the fences, and the local police have been fantastic (the sargeant who came has an allotment somewhere else so knows how we feel) & has promised us they will keep coming onto site until they catch the little gits.

This hasnt put me off its anoying/irritating tidying up after them, and hopefully the very visable police presence will put them off

[piskieinboots]

I shall ask Snowdrop to come down at regular intervals - in full NBC suit, with the odd rocket launcher and patrol!

[weekendwellies]

It is irritating and I would not keep livestock on my plot. I would be devastated if they got harmed.
My plot isn't sufficiently well developed yet to suffer from vandalism. And to be honest I wouldn't be bothered if they helped themselves to a bit of the produce - it might make them want a plot when they get older themselves.
The tools are kept in a communal shed which hasn't yet been touched.

Going off topic a bit:
Because our site was a bit of scrap land before being made into allotments and surrounded by houses, I tend to get rubbish tossed over the wall onto my plot.
Bricks and bottles are being stored in a heap for some future use.
Wood is being stacked for edging at appropriate times.
I even got an iron display stand which I am still deciding what to do with. At the moment it is propping up some twigs that I have cut to use as pea sticks.
There was some window blinds on it when I first got the plot and I regret throwing them out as they would have made great labels if I had cut them up. And plenty of spare slats for various other uses.

[Shadylane]

We get a bit every now and then. Just recently a few people got some bits and bobs knicked. Our next but one neighbours had a wheelbarrow stolen which they said they'd tried to hide. They left ours which was in full view. During the winter I left a fork in the knackered shed we inherited to save traipsing through the snow down to the big metal lock up (which we keep most stuff in) in order to dig up some leeks. Some delightful young person had used it to try and prise open someone's metal shed (they failed) but had left the fork as it was old and scruffy looking.

I think the trick is not to have your stuff looking too pretty and new. Also don't try and make it difficult for them - they see it as a challenge. Leave your shed unlocked (obviously don't store valuables in it) don't hide stuff - it makes them think it's worth something. If your plot looks like there's nothing worth pinching they'll hopefully move on. Oh yeah and if you have a barrow - you could leave it full of with fresh manure - they'll not go near it then

[weekendwellies]

and if you have a barrow - you could leave it full of with fresh manure - they'll not go near it then

I love that one Shady

[organic]

I have a sneaking feeling that as recession bites and food prices climb along with fuel prices... theft of produce may become a much bigger issue.

Other than that the main worry for me is that I'm well within stone-throwing range of the perimiter fence.

Just for sheer daft-ness though... one side of the site has really big, spiky railings, locked gates and barbed wire. The other three (all of which the public can get to without any great bother) just have shoulder height wire mesh fencing... some of which has huge gaps in.

Apparently the main trouble is kids throwing stones at the car park and greenhouses - but beyond that not so much. I doubt that will last though.

Being my first season I've not experienced anything like that yet - but given time I wouldn't be surprised if I did.

[Paulottie]

[QUOTE=Shadylane;648582. They left ours which was in full view. I think the trick is not to have your stuff looking too pretty and new. Also don't try and make it difficult for them - they see it as a challenge. Leave your shed unlocked (obviously don't store valuables in it) don't hide stuff - it makes them think it's worth something. If your plot looks like there's nothing worth pinching they'll hopefully move on. [/QUOTE]

some truth in that

We luckily live in the country ...but frankly we have no sheds, no lights, no fence, no locks...no theft....tend to leave my fork where it stands.

If you do need to hide stuff. I reckon dig a hole wrap any valuable tools in builders plastic put an old door (possibly a bit of straw) over it ... also makes a handy make shift grave if you catch any vandals or tea-leaves.

Of course you'd tend to know if these spots are found that its an insider thing...whilst mindless vandalism tends to be pi**ed /mindless kids...theft is very often someone you know....especially with produce

Sheds/tripwires..a nail,wire ,spring and percussion cap from a cartridge/blank makes a fantastic bang in the dead of night.

[jackie j]

We havent had much vandalism on our site, I have never lost anything but some people have, but nothing too serious. I do lock my sheds but anything in there is only cheap. We are lucky but I know some parts of the country are worse off than us. It wouldnt make me give up just more determined to carry on and not let them win.

[Snadger]

I don't think theft and vandalism are any more prevalent on an allotment site than on someones own back garden?

[Ian White]

I am very new on my site we have had the odd problem in the past so i've been told but that was before they had the gates and fences.

Only problem we have now is the odd person gets in some how and starts using the alloments as a short cut (Time to ask for bigger fences i think.)

All the best,Ian