Security and vandalism

[Cue the Toms]

My plot is right next to a main road and is likely to have problems with vandalism in the future. I am in the process of putting a lot of time and effort into my new found hobby and do not want it all ruined by local yobs.

My plot neighbours have told me some stories of fairly frequent shed break ins and crops damaged. They have also advised not to even put a lock on my shed door!

I can't believe that young people would be interested in a few garden tools, so I would put their antics down to mindless vandalism rather than theft.

I am looking into the idea of putting some security devices in place and would like to know what others do regarding this issue? I have found this website Shed Alarm | Garage Alarm | Shed Security | Garage Security | DIY Security and they have lots of different deterrents at varying degrees of how much anyone would want to spend.

One of the plot holders lives right opposite my plot and does keep his ears open but rarely hears anything going on. A simple alarm device may be enough for me but if necessary I will go further. My plot means enough to warrant keeping it clear of unwanted visitors if I can!

Chris

[Two_Sheds]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ity_65401.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ent_60471.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ity_58735.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ity_46377.html

[Bigmallly]

The more security you use, the more the vandals will think you have worth nicking. I keep all my tools in the car boot now after getting my shed broken into.

[alldigging]

If you make things really hard to take away then you'll stop them once they've broken in. Doesn't mean they won't smash things up.

If it's kids likely to be breaking in try the packet of biscuits and cans of lager deterrent. It might distract them and make them leave your stuff alone.

[Feral007]

I like the packet of biscuits and cans of lager idea.

Maybe some very prickly plants around the doorway and entrance to the plot?

Something that doesn't look like you are tryiing to hide anything, but makes it a bit more annoying to mess with than someone else's easily got at plot? And in the end you could all maybe have triffid like thistle plants all around your allotment!
Annoying what people will do when they are bored.

[singleseeder]

The best security idea I have ever heard of was a false wall inside a shed.

Once inside the shed you wouldn't notice it was 9" or so shorter than the outside of the shed, but at the far end, the wall could be unscrewed with a few large screws to reveal the tools hung on the end wall. Old sacks, pots, canes etc were left visible.

[Mr Bones]

If they're coming over a perimeter fence, treacle smeared on the inside should stop them and you shouldn't get held for cleaning costs for any that gets onto their clothes, especially if you put a few WET PAINT signs on the outside.

[Andromeda]

One of my friends found that the odd strategically placed pile of bramble or rose cuttings that 'he hadn't had time to put on his compost heap' brought an end to his break in problems - and made the culprits easily identifiable.

[Alison]

I used to leave my shed unlocked for the reasons mentioned in the original post - didn't keep much there but got fed up with going round the other plots to find my mug / cheap trowel etc which had been swapped with the contents of somebody else's shed. I think it depends on who is breaking in, ours was mischief makers who enjoyed mucking about. They didn't want any of the items and only targeted the unlocked sheds. I put a lock on but it wouldn't be difficult to break in if somebody wanted to and you can see through the window that there is nothing much there - if somebody is desperate for cup a soups then they're welcome to them

[Cue the Toms]

I simply refuse to believe that a fellow plot holder would help themselves to something from someone else's shed?? That is as low as anyone could get, incredible!

My nearest plot neighbour only has an allotment to get him away from his wife, (they cannot stand the sight of eachother apparently). He keeps telling me to help myself to his yields because he can't take it home because is wife refuses to eat anything grown from an allotment!!! I still only take anything that he picks/pulls and hands to me in a bag.

Chris

[Guzzik]

Bees work well as a deterent as does an infrared wildlife camera in a good place and left switched on. I got some VERY nice pics of a couple of idiots two years ago.

[finleyfreyaseth]

piece of wire stretched across youre gate at shin height opens gate in dark straight over smashed face on wooden raised bed in front .