We've had some theives at the allotment, I could be wrong but the only thing they appear to have nicked is the shiny new padlock. They went to all the trouble of sawing the sliding lock around the padlock and cutting the chain where the padlock was attached. They don't appear to have taken anything else but I could be wrong. I assume it's going to take ages to get a new padlock and thicker chain.
Maybe they were disturbed....maybe they are hoping your shed will now be unprotected and they can come back and help themselves. It is the pits, and so sorry that you have had this happen to your plot. Makes my blood boil! >:(
Bad luck -I'd get a new lock and chain asap, or clear the more valuable stuff out of the shed for now.
But maybe they did just want the lock -I knew a chap who had his car alarm knicked, they left the car. Who would buy a stolen car alarm -it obviously doesn't work.
Jeremy.
And they haven't got the key for the padlock either I assume!!!!!
Sorry I wasn't clear, it not my plot persay, it's the front gates to the entire allotment area that they've nicked the lock from. Which had to be the biggest strongest padlock I've seen, the key alone was bigger than the my front door key. The mind boggles about what they are going to do with it. Unless they've got a key for the padlock...
...then I would assume they've removed the lock so they can come and go at their liesure, stealing tools/veggies from any allotment on the site! I would make sure you're shed is secure and that your allotment association/council/the local police are aware that the gates have been vandalised.
Could also be gypsies looking to move in - I've known people have the locks removed from their field gates prior to a gypsy invasion (in one instance the locked gate itself was removed with an angle grinder in the dead of night!). the caravans arrived a few nights later.