How is the security on your allotment?

[EbonyH]

Good Afternoon All,

Unfortunately, allotments are sometimes targeted by thieves and much cared for crops are stolen or vandalised.
Have you ever experienced any problems? How do you protect your plot – is there a key holder or are there cameras on the site? Or are you happy with the level of security?

Many thanks for your input!

Your comments may be edited and printed in the November issue of GYO magazine

[HeyWayne]

We're fortunate in that we live in a low crime area, and it's a relatively small village.

Our allotment is sited at a quiet end of the village without much in the way of passing foot traffic (and thus opportunists, or mindless vandals).

Security to the main gate is a simple wooden gate with a combination padlock. There is also a footpath gate a little further along with security that consists of a little rope "loop" to hook over the fence/gate post.

Our communal "shed" has been broken into on a few occasions, and the petrol strimmer was stolen I believe - but other than that it's pretty quiet.

[rustylady]

Our site has a good high fence and padlocked gates on the main road side. All plot holders have a key to the padlock. Unfortunately the other side of the site which backs onto houses and gardens has proved to be an easy way in for some (we think younger) visitors. Not too much damage caused, fortunately.

[VirginVegGrower]

We are also fortunate to have a plot in a small village. Our allotment is open and borders the farm fields on one side and cemetry the other. Anyone wanting to go up there at night has to be braver than I. We aren't allowed sheds though which may have a bearing. Although we have left tools on the plot path which are still there the next day - as is the veg! 

[SarrissUK]

My allotment is very out of the way, and we are fortunate to have a very high fence around the whole area with tall gates that has a padlock to keep visitors out. We've just had the padlock changed too, to ensure it's safe. I hear of sheds getting broken into, but I've not had any problems, but then I don't keep any petrol tools in mine - I don't even lock it. No veg stolen either as far as I can tell

[shona_b]

Our allotments have a wall around and a locked high gate but last years prize (I'd like to think) pumpkin and our neighbours potted fruit tree have still disappeared. We don't bother locking the shed as there's nothing worth nicking and the door doesn't fit properly after the old farmer that delivers the manure backed his trialer into it!!

[Alison]

Our site is totally open with an access path through the middle. No way could we have a gate let alone a key. The only security is on individual sheds. I used not to lock mine as there is nothing of value in there but it got annoying finding where things had been moved to so I now lock. We get some trouble but it's very now and again and thankfully most of the time things are fine.

[Two_Sheds]

Every now and again we get unwanted visitors - usually because the old boys are very lax about locking the gate behind them.

Only last week I escorted half a dozen gobby yoofs off the site; they were chucking things around and running over plots. I contacted the police (I had video evidence too) but although I was told they hadn't done anything criminal so 'nothing could be done' I was told to phone up immediately if they appeared again, and extra patrols would be sent out.

I don't lock my shed and I don't keep valuables in it. Good tools are hidden in plain view, ie under debris netting amongst the crops. My valuable crops (pumpkins are the ones usually nicked/destroyed) are hidden amongst other crops, dotted around my plot. The guy next to the gate has some lovely big pumpkins just ripening up ... they'll be gone

I cultivate friendly neighbours too; we back onto social housing (mostly elderly) and I bung them some marrows or runners or jam now and again, in return they keep an eye out for troublemakers.

[binley100]

WE have security fencing all round and every plot holder pays a deposit for a key . We still get the occasional problem where a bolt has been removed from the fence or the gate has been damaged so that someone can get in . Each plot has its own gate, some have locks and some don't depending on the choice of the plot holder, likewise with the sheds. The local police dog handlers also have a key so they can come in and exercise their dogs .
I don't think it makes much difference how good your security is if troublemakers want to get in they'll find a way .

[zazen999]

Security? What security?

We have open allotments; with anyone being able to stroll on your plot. We have had one spate of thefts, where all the metal from a dismantled greenhouse was taken, plus my 2 rolls of weed fabric went from my previously unlocked shed. So I bought a lock. Not had anything else go since - including tools that I keep leaving out by mistake. People keep an eye open for neighbours and the guys up by the houses have chickens so they come early and late to check on things.

[frantic furball]

Our site is at the end of a cul de sac and has stables and a large house surrounding it so we do get more protection from their security measures and there haven't been a lot of problems (touches wood) and not that many people know that the allotments exist. The house is currently empty so the community area has suffered a bit of a problem with people trying to get in the house and then running off across the site and causing a bit of damage Our plot backs on to the stables and they tend to have a couple of dogs running around at night and a very angry lady who appears if they bark!!!

The site I had an allotment on previously was dreadful security wise. Our plot was used as a tip by local residents and any buildings put up ie shed/store were set on fire within a couple of days of going up. I finally gave up when the committee phoned and asked why I had been having fires on my allotment as this is against the rules - it was the straw that broke the camels back