things going missing on plots

[astraman1]

not mine before anyone asks but things have been going missing on our site for a while

mainly produce off the plot and out of sheds no sign of outside breakins and locks recently changed to exclude old members who gave up or kicked off not returning keys

so its down to someone on site what sort of things has anyone done to combat this just after a few ideas see if i can help our site and stop this

[Lisasbolt]

There are some interesting youtube video´s i will try and get you some links later.

Must be horrible spending months if not longer caring for your plants to have someone come and take them.

We has a horrible neighbour and we bought a couple of fake cctv cameras that look the really deal and a few signs, he soon shut up and kept away then.

[bario1]

Have a look at this thread

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ief_85505.html

[Potstubsdustbins]

A good few years back the annual Goose Fair came to town and one of my mates had all his onions nicked, some were show ready.

He went to the police to report the theft and whilst there happened to mention that they had been sprayed the day before with a highly toxic chemical that would remain poisonous for 2 weeks (complete rowlocks of course).

The police took him at his word and sent a marked loud speaker van out making announcements, big shortage of onions on the first day of the fair..............

[Aberdeenplotter]

It really is the worst feeling knowing that a fellow plotter is light fingered. I've lost a few things over the years including would you believe it a tumbling composter. Anyone who has had one of these will know how cumbersome they are to move so the thief must have been determined.

I've since moved to another allotment site but not before a new plot tenant on the old one quickly earned the nickname "the thief" (not saying he was the thief referred to above).

In preparation for the move, I planted up 2 dozen strawberry runners in 2 ltr pots and had them sitting ready to move. A dozen of them disappeared. Still not pointing any fingers but anyone want to hazard a guess where a dozen strawberry runners in 2 ltr pots turned up a couple of months later? Brazen or what. I won't mention the 2ft x 2ft paving slabs which walked.

[vixylix]

Thats horrible do you have electricity? could you set up some sort of CCTV / webcam - only needs to be short term if it helps figure out whats happening?

[Snadger]

Either i'm getting forgetful, or someone keeps opening my shed door.

I never lock anything but it isn't until you come to use a little used item that you realize its walked.

Brand new pump up sprayer in its box and a wheelbarrow nicked over a period of six years................... i can just about live with that methinks.

On the first allotment I had on another site my tattie tops wilted overnight! On inspection, someone had nicked the tatties then stuck the tops back in the soil! If the poor beggers were that hungry, they were welcome to them.

[muddled]

We have a thief at our site too.

They took every single plum of mine and everyone elses tree....along with every single cherry from both sweet and morello trees, Every single gooseberry from every single plot....raspberries, strawberries, one row of carrots and LOTS of butternut squashes.
The whole site has been plundered.

Its made me question if I want to continue.
Bearing in mind it costs £200 a year for a full plot in this borough, there seems little point in paying that if my most valuable crops are stolen.
sparrow sent me some beautiful blackcurrant cuttings a few months back that are still sitting in pots because I'm loathe to plant them at the plot for fear they'll be robbed.....but they'll die overwinter if I don't plant them soon!

And what's the thief doing with all that fruit anyway?
It's a large site with lots of plots....I reckon they're coming mob handed in the night or they'd never blimmin' carry it all!

[Guest]

I read about someone who was stealing peoples produce and was angry and sickened by it. However in the end they discovered there was a squatter on the site. As wrong as it is there are people who just want food.

[sparrow100]

That sucks muddled. If you're paying that much for a full plot (ours would be £64/year as a comparison) will the Council do anything CCTV-wise? Or could you & neighbours rig a wildlife camera?

Am guessing they are thieving to order - possibly for a local market stall/restaurant(s).

We don't generally have theft issues (frantically touches wood, throws salt over left shoulder) but when we do it tends to be things that could only wander with a keyholder. It's really unpleasant to think a neighbour would do something like that, given they know what each plot/crop means to its tenant.

[astraman1]

£200 is alot we pay £40 for a full plot i only have halve at the minute

there was talk of getting a wildlife camera and moving it around site but it can only cover one area at a time and its quite a big site

[marcofez]

Unfortunately, this year I had someone decide they liked the look of my conference and doyenne pears and had the lot. Cheeky beggers even left a few and then decided to have them the next day. No signs of intrusion around a fenced allotment, so only can assume some one from the site. Hope not!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Have you ever been happy you grow in your own back garden?

After reading this thread I sure am.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Colin,

although we have highlighted a few unsavoury episodes, thankfully the highs hugely exceed the lows. On the site I am on now, we have a mix of ages, gender, ethnic backgrounds and levels of experience. It is a really good mix and I'm sure that is broadly reflected on most allotment sites. I love the solitude of my plot when I want solitude and I love the community when I need company.

SWMBO is dearly loved but the plot allows us to each do our own thing too

[Potstubsdustbins]

^^^^^^That's what I always imagined it should be like, same as usual a few bad apples etc.