Allotment thief caught red handed!

[hamamelis]

You can get wildlife video cameras with an infra-red trigger, so they only film when something (or someone) walks in front. There shouldn't be much footage with one of those- plus, if there's trouble about you having CCTV on there, you were just trying to film badgers you thought might be eating your crops, and just happened to get footage of an unexpected thief

Hope you get this sorted soon at least my weedkiller-crazy neighbour seems to be leaving of her own accord.

[Chef_uk]

Shocking. Would never have thought this would happen. I thought those on allotments looked out for each other. Possibly something simple as a sign saying under no circumstances are you to steal my produce would have been enough to deter them/make them think twice.

[salome2001]

on our site the drinking beer all day long would be enough to get them booted off, let alone the theft.

[Madasafish]

I would spike their beer with senna. No need them to beat the #### out of them, it would be natural justice....


I'll get my coat.

[Lazgaot]

I had a long conversation with the allotment officer last week. Initially his recommendation was to report it to the police. In his view I pay for the plot, the produce is all mine and he was there stealing it. We talked further and asked whether I wanted to send in statements to him and he'd progress things further I.e the thief will lose his plot.
This is my dilemma now:
1) Send in our statements and he is kicked off the site. What revenge will he and his mate still on the site eke out on my plot thereafter?
2) Face him and tell him I've reported it but haven't followed up with the statement to get him kicked off? I.e you've been warned.

[mrgrower]

Report after all had you not caught them do you think they would have stopped and gave you another thought? After having my plot robbed and even my bike stolen from outside my front door I have no sympathy for thief's

[veggiechicken]

Can you ask the Allotment officer to send him a warning letter - reminding him that he should stay away from other plots and that if there are any further incidents he will be evicted.

[rustylady]

Surely you can't be the only one who has lost stuff to this person and his mate. Have you ever spoken to them before the strawberry incident?

[Bigmallly]

You have to do what's best for you. Sometimes the right decision is not always the best one as I have witnessed and HM will confirm. Therefore I would opt for option 2. You may find that they may actually look out for your plot knowing that anymore thefts will be pointed in their direction.

[alldigging]

Is there a management group at the allotment?
It isn't just your plot (Although I can see a reason to fear reprisals) that he might have been pinching from.

[lottie dolly]

The rules report to police yes,but how YOU are feeling,might be better to have a supervised meeting with all parties,where they have an official formal warning from the site,also you to express your disapointment and disaproval of them,they need to be tolled,how lucky they are,and how generose you are in NOT taking matters further,pointing out that if anything else goes missing,it WILL be the police,plus their names put forwards,also any any other criminal acts in the way of get back at you,please don't fret anymore over this,think about all the options,make a decision and go with it,and enjoy the rest of your lottie times,don't let them win,

[FruityLoop]

Do you have an AGM for your site. You could ask for theft to be added to the agenda and then it could be discussed as a general topic, with no particular finger pointing. Then everyone would be aware of what the consequences will be if they are caught, but without reprisals as no one need know you asked for it to be discussed...?

[veggiechicken]

.......Or do you have a site notice board? Ask the Allotment manager to put up a Notice saying that any theft/interference or vandalism of another plot will result in eviction.

[mrgrower]

.......Or do you have a site notice board? Ask the Allotment manager to put up a Notice saying that any theft/interference or vandalism of another plot will result in eviction.

That's suposing they can read more words than C A T and have a vocabulary stronger than Ugg

See if the warning works if thats how you feel you want to progress me pesonally after the thefts of our site and the damage caused recently would lean more toward the seperation of hands from the arms.

[Luckylion]

I'd suggest option 2 and inform them that you'll be installing hidden cameras. You don't actually have to do it so the actual legalities of the use of footage wont matter. Should put them off and the knowledge that you may tell others will probably stop it.

Putting a sign up saying cctv in operation will also help (again whether you do or not is another thing) people will ask you why and you can tell them. Should keep the thieves at bay and not lead to retribution as their loitering spot will not have been taken away from them.... yet.