Our pavilion was broken into last night. When I got there to feed the cats this morning the main gates were wide open and as I drove to the pavilion I saw that the pavilion door was open too.
It's a heavy metal door, and this is what they had done to it
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This was the kitchen
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The trophy cabinet
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They stole the trophies, which were not valuable, but looked nice because Shirl, Tone and I had polished them recently.
They stole our stereo equipment, clocks off the wall and waste bins from the room,
and from the kitchen, unbelievably -
all our milk, tea, coffee, sugar, biscuits, margarine, frozen sweetcorn and our box of cat food, much of which was donated by well-wishers.
They also stole the money from the Macmillan box and our refreshments honesty money.
One of our lovely plot holders went to the shops and bought more refreshment stuff and the most important - cat food.
Honestly, I know nobody was hurt and it's not a life and death thing but I felt really upset this morning. Most of us look on the pavilion as our second home and it will probably take months now before the door is repaired.
I phoned the police, received a log number, but nobody phoned back or came to see us.
I felt really sorry for the chap in the Allotment Dept at the Council. They are already overspent and this will cost thousands to repair.
I don't see the point in us having a locked door any more, this is the second time it's happened. :(
My heartfelt sympathies. It's really soul destroying when something like this happens.
So very very sorry to hear about this Betty. Makes you feel so angry, especially as you say its the second time. You all put so much in on your site. I still feel quite despondent following my shed fire which is 3 months ago now - you think "I'll just move on!" but its not always that easy.
So sorry to hear about this, Betty, after all your hard work.
Terrible news.
I don't know whether you are near any residential housing, but the police can advise on alarm systems that will possibly frighten such scum bags away providing there is someone in listening distance who would contact the police. With a substantial door like yours it is not going to be accidentally set off.
Bluecar
Goodness, that's awful, Betty. What a mess! I am sorry about the upset for you all. Who'd do such a thing for (in absolute terms) relatively little gain but maximum upset. Having seen the pavillion in use, it really felt like home from home for the allotment holders.
I know you will make it a special place again. I'm just sad that you have to.
The downright rotten Ba***.ds.I wish I could get me hands on them. It make me feel quite sick when things like this happen. I hope that they get a bloody shock when they try to sell the trophies cos they are practically worthless.I cannot understand why people have to take such things as bottles of milk and coffee and cat food. Money is different. They stole the macmillan money that really is low.The damage they have done to the door will take a lot of putting right. I am a beleiver in "what goes around comes around" so that is of some consolation.
Well what a d**n shame. And what an awful day you must have had too.
The hardest part is understanding why people would go to all that trouble for so little of real value to themselves.
My sympathies.
p.s.: I hope you were insured.
I can only echo what everyone else has said. It's sick and senseless. We all suffer mindless vandalism - we had half a dozen sheds with their locks smashed the other night - but this is just awful. How would they like it if their bedroom was trashed? (But perhaps it looks like that anyway, so they wouldn't notice!)
Total scum low life with nothing better to be, I would to catch the *fatherless children* in the act and kick the manure out of them,
Sorry to hear about ths, betty. was there no one around? dog walkers etc?
can't think what else to say, hope you can all sort it out, I'd like to make a donation towards your macmillan fund, let me know by p.m., I'll send a cheque x
So sorry to hear this. Your post made me really angry for the 2nd time today. My daughter recently started a new job at our local Scope charity shop, in her 3rd week the shop had the back door smashed and a couple of volunteer's lockers broken in to, ironically the locker with the takings/float was not broken in to. Just one hell of a mess. Now today I have just read in the local rag that the local cancer shop was broken in to on Monday and £100plus taken from the safe. The owners had gone to a lot of expense to have roller shutters fixed to the front as the windows had been smashed on several occasions. Now they have two rear doors to replace. What low life we have in our community.
Oh I'm so sorry Betty, how miserable.
Oh Betty, and Shirl and Tony,
I'm so sorry and p*****d off for you, having been there last week and seen what a great set up you have there. :( :( :( :(
Hard pressed to know what to say really as everyone's said it.
I agree with Shirl that "what goes around comes around" , I also think that people who do this sort of thing are often unhappy people leading unhappy lives. But at end of day they could take thier miserable arses and start to do something useful with their lives ??? ??? If they can't do that they don't have to spoil other peoples' efforts.
Similar thoughts to Lorna's post.
Any idea how come the main gate was open? and as for the police well I know they are stretched but surely this is important enough to come and finger print or something? ???
Please don't let the B*******ds grind you down.
Anne x
Thanks for your consolations. They do help a lot. When Betty called me the first thing I asked about was the cats. I am so glad that they didn't do them any harm. Felix would have walked right up to them cos he is really friendly and I dread to think what could have happened considering what they did to the pavilion. Poor Betty waited all day for the police but they didn't show.
So sorry ,disgusted and angry to hear this news. >:( >:( >:(
Total scum in my book and at this level of criminal damage the police should have come...........get on the blower and tell em you will make an official complaint.....we pay these people to do a job. >:( >:( >:(
Thanks everyone for your replies and support, it means a lot to us. I'm sorry to read about the problems with this sort of thing that some of you have had recently too.
We did have security lights - they smashed them. The problem is that because we are situated inside a park, there are no houses nearby so nobody would see things happening. Same thing if we had an alarm, nobody would hear it. Many people have told me that they didn't know that the allotments are there because they are not visible from the road.
They cut the lock on the main gate, even though we have a protective piece of metal in front of it which is supposed to stop it being cut.
Because we have such a lovely lot of plot holders we have been in the habit of leaving small amounts of money in the pavilion - a box for refreshment money, competition money and the Macmillan collection box. We trust our people and we have never had money go missing.
It means that in future this will stop. I don't know how to get round the tea/coffee/milk etc thing though. We have always kept the kitchen well stocked with these things so people can go and make their drinks and toast wheneve they want to. Maybe I should count out a few tea bags and spoons of coffee each day? And keep the cat food in my car? It really makes me sick that thieves would take these things. I can almost understand them taking stuff to sell, but frozen sweetcorn? half a tub of marg? cat food?
After I left there this afternoon the men came to repair the door. The Chairman and I have decided not to ask for a proper repair, or to have a new door which would cost thousands of pounds which our Council Allotment Dept doesn't have. We have just had two locks put on the outside of the door.
I still haven't heard from the police, I won't hold my breath.
Thanks again for your support, it's appreciated.
Forgot to say this in my previous post ...
As you may know, my hubby was born in Sicily. His first reaction to the news of the break in today was
"Get an electrician to come and install electric current to the door so the next ones to break in will kill themselves."
They don't mess about in Sicily. :o
Good thinking by your OH, Betty ;D
Most of the stuff taken will be chucked away. When is your next open day and we can help replenish your Macmilan fund when we visit. Hope there is some of that lovely cakey.
I am so sorry to hear this dreadful news,no words of comfort but I almost feel violated for you all. I would like to think it was someone hungry who needed food but somehow I am not getting that feeling. It is totally beyond me why anyone would go to so much trouble in such a place, makes me think they are too cowardly to take on a big shop etc.
XX Jeannine
Think Shirlton got it with 1st post!
Some people just do things like that for the sake of doing it and the upset it causes others and the police are never interested.
When is next open day/white elephant?
What rotten ******s. Simple things,tea ,coffee and a friendly place spoilt ???
They're to be pitied in their sad little lives,they don't have the friendships you share and doubtless never will. >:(
That said I'd be tempted by a shotgun ;)
Thanks for the replies everyone, they mean a lot.
I think I feel more upset this morning than I did yesterday. I suppose part of it is wondering what I will find when I go over at 9 to feed the cats. Will they have been back and done more damage? The only thing they didn't take was a P A system which was very heavy. We have moved it now to a safe place nearby.
For those who live near enough to be able to come, our next event will be on Saturday, 14th May, 12 - 3. It is our annual Plant Sale, White Elephant and Cream Tea.
The money from the Plant Sale is for our funds but all the Cream Tea money is for Macmillan. Shirl is running the White Elephant for our Felix Fund to cover any vet expenses he may have.
This year we are also inviting Cats Protection to have a stall to raise money for themselves. They have been so helpful to us, and will not accept any money for having our ferals neutered.
When I phoned the CP volunteer to tell her what had happened, she offered to come over straight away and bring some cat food. She is such a lovely person. She also said that instead of raising money for CP, she would have a stall and sell her preserves and give us the money.
There are lovely people in the world, all of you included. :)
I have a little Royal Worcester cat that I will send to you for your white elephant stall,it may raise a few pounds for the Felix fund.
PM me your address Betty or Shirl. :)
Sorry to hear that, if I lived nearer would come and help you tidy up and donate some cat food. Hopefully your allotment friends will give you support. Best wishes to you and the cats (of course).
sorry to hear this news, Betty.
if you ain't already done so, call local paper and get story in local rag ( might get funding for repairs this way)
go into plod shop, and remind them that
a, they are Public Servants, who sign an oath to serve and protect the public.
b, you are the public.
if you get a bad response from the plod, a letter in the local paper to 'name and shame' them wouldn't go amiss!!
Sorry to hear about that, Betty and Shirlton. Ooooo, those *****!!!! It must just feel so crushing. I'd like to send a donation to help replenish stocks if you give me some details. Also, I work in a security company and if you need some CCTV signs and a couple of dummy cameras, let me know (you can't have one without the other) and I'll send 'em up! Onwards and upwards, Betty, Shirl and the rest of the team affected.
Went to the plot this morning and the shed door was open. Theres nowt in there to pinch but I bet others had some stuff missing. One old boy had a box of gardening gloves taken. The lock on the door has been done. When I first heard about the break in I thought ah kids but no kid could have done that much damage. It must have been someone really strong.At least no person or cat has been hurt and thats the important thing.
Its just a rotten shame that we have to live amongst such scum.
Quote from: betula on February 12, 2011, 09:47:59
I have a little Royal Worcester cat that I will send to you for your white elephant stall,it may raise a few pounds for the Felix fund.
PM me your address Betty or Shirl. :)
How very kind of you Betula. I will leave the arrangements to Betty cos she's the gaffer ;D
So sorry, Betty, to read all this. Somehow, though, lots of good will come about, through so many people caring, offering help and joining together in putting things right again, and supporting each other. I know that you will find that uplifting, and that you'll soon get back your bounce and enthusiasm. Don't let them get you down for too long! Peanuts
Sorry to hear this girls and Tone, flip, blimey and what utter rotters, I could kick their bottoms. :P :P :P :P :P
Simply dreadful... >:(
Just read this, that is just horrible. I am speechless.... >:( >:( >:(
How rotten some people are. :(
Quote from: Deb P on February 12, 2011, 23:38:06
Just read this, that is just horrible. I am speechless.... >:( >:( >:(
How rotten some people are. :(
and thirsty/hungry if they took the provisions?
So sorry to read about the terrible time you guys are having. I some times wonder if its not down to envy, ''I haven't got it so why should you have it'' syndrome. The fact that you've all worked so hard to achieved such a great site goes right over their heads.
As for the police well no surprises there. If our lots anything to go by down here its just a job these days, like anyother. Not a vocation any longer. Don't no if its a sign of the times or all the cuts. I'm with tonybloke as to what needs doing.
Hugs and healing vibes from me.
to be honest, i reckon the plod don't actually want to catch burglars, if they did, crime rate would fall, so would the plod budget!
I get it about the police ,we have 2 neighbours one drives big lorries for a supermarket one is a pc both work 30mins away .
In all the bad weather guess who got up at 3am and turned in for work and guess who didn't !
Quote from: betula on February 12, 2011, 09:47:59
I have a little Royal Worcester cat that I will send to you for your white elephant stall,it may raise a few pounds for the Felix fund.
PM me your address Betty or Shirl. :)
That is so kind of you, a lovely thought. I will pm you. Thank you so much. :)
Quote from: Borlotti on February 12, 2011, 11:56:15
Sorry to hear that, if I lived nearer would come and help you tidy up and donate some cat food. Hopefully your allotment friends will give you support. Best wishes to you and the cats (of course).
That's really kind of you, thank you. :)
I emailed the plotholders when it happened and lots of them have said they will donate cat food, and have offered to come and help tidy up. One of them who was there on the day went straight to the shops and bought refreshment things and more cat food. We really do have a lovely group of people there and I look on them as my extended family.
Tony, I think it's a good idea to tell the local paper so I'll do that in the morning.
As for the police, one of our plotholders found that her shed had been broken into yesterday and phoned the police just to report it and get a log number. They told her they wanted to come out at 8 pm that night! She told them that it would be dark ::) so they are coming at 10.30 this morning. When she told them about the pavilion and that nobody had been out, they said that they were only dealing with her shed and that she mustn't tell anyone they were coming!!
Quote from: SamLouise on February 12, 2011, 13:05:45
Sorry to hear about that, Betty and Shirlton. Ooooo, those *****!!!! It must just feel so crushing. I'd like to send a donation to help replenish stocks if you give me some details. Also, I work in a security company and if you need some CCTV signs and a couple of dummy cameras, let me know (you can't have one without the other) and I'll send 'em up! Onwards and upwards, Betty, Shirl and the rest of the team affected.
Thank you so much SL, that's really kind of you. I will pm you.
We won't let it get us down, at least they didn't hurt the cats or trash the place.
Quote from: Peanuts on February 12, 2011, 17:13:16
So sorry, Betty, to read all this. Somehow, though, lots of good will come about, through so many people caring, offering help and joining together in putting things right again, and supporting each other. I know that you will find that uplifting, and that you'll soon get back your bounce and enthusiasm. Don't let them get you down for too long! Peanuts
You are so right - an amazing amount of goodwill has come from this, both on the allotments and here. People really are good - well most of them are!
It's the silly little things like - is it worth leaving food and drink in the kitchen any more, in case it happens again. But my instinct tells me that we should carry on as normal. It just wouldn't be practical to carry all the cat food and refreshment stuff around in my car with me all the time. I'll have to see if I can find a hiding-place for them on the site.
Quote from: cornykev on February 12, 2011, 21:36:33
Sorry to hear this girls and Tone, flip, blimey and what utter rotters, I could kick their bottoms. :P :P :P :P :P
Are you alright Kev?
He's in-cognito ;D
Sorry to hear of your problem. Your allotments to me are the epitomy of community spirit. It is so sad when a few mindless individuals spoil things.
One thing to watch out for is the 'double take'. You carefully replace all the items and a couple of weeks later they come again for those as well.
hmmm..some sort of electronic cattle fencing system connected into various metal bits..like door handles start sounding very tempting ..to at least give some of their own back when/if they sould return. ::) :-X
;D..I would love to be 'fly on the wall' then.
Is there any chance for arranging for odd late night 'parties' to go around now and then for next few weeks..if they only see some torch lights it might discourage them trying again in a hurry...and maybe some small lights in timer, arraged to go on and off different times..so when there is nobody with torches they might just think odd one of you is still on guard.
One chap on our lottie did connect some christmas light on car battery and these were flickering in his shed... ;D..I'm living close to his lottie and I had to ring him late at night..alarmed that something odd is going off.. ;D He forgot to warn me.. ;D...but his shed breakings stopped and neighbours did take notice if his light wouldn't for some reason be on.
Quote from: Squash64 on February 13, 2011, 05:25:18
Tony, I think it's a good idea to tell the local paper so I'll do that in the morning.
As for the police, one of our plotholders found that her shed had been broken into yesterday and phoned the police just to report it and get a log number. They told her they wanted to come out at 8 pm that night! She told them that it would be dark ::) so they are coming at 10.30 this morning. When she told them about the pavilion and that nobody had been out, they said that they were only dealing with her shed and that she mustn't tell anyone they were coming!!
well I hope you bent the ears of the plod who came today, and made a note of their numbers ( on shoulder of plod uniform)
they really don't give a stuff about burglaries, just interested in chasing cars and attending minor car crashes ( is it 'cos they can claim money from the car insurers? you bet it is!!)
Quote from: Squash64 on February 13, 2011, 05:25:18
Tony, I think it's a good idea to tell the local paper so I'll do that in the morning.
As for the police, one of our plotholders found that her shed had been broken into yesterday and phoned the police just to report it and get a log number. They told her they wanted to come out at 8 pm that night! She told them that it would be dark ::) so they are coming at 10.30 this morning. When she told them about the pavilion and that nobody had been out, they said that they were only dealing with her shed and that she mustn't tell anyone they were coming!!
So she told you and you put it on here Betty!!!! ;D
I am so sorry to read about this, it leaves a horrible feeling with you.
I know when our shed was broken into on a regular basis I used to feel terrible and wondered if it was all worth it. I used to feel just as though my home had been broken into.
It seemed every Sunday lunchtime I would get a phone call asking me to go to the site as we had been broken into again. In the end the police suggested I contacted the Crime Prevention team which I duly did and when I had a meeting with them, on site, they suggested we had metal boxes put over the door lock/hasp/padlock. It wasn't cheap to get done but we did do it. This has worked as our shed has never been broken into since. I must admit it is not easy for our members to gain entry if they are in a hurry but there is no way anyone can force the hasp or take bolt croppers to the padlock, so well worth a thought Betty to contact Crime Prevention.
Like everyone else I am sickened to hear about this Betty. It makes you wonder how low people can get. It really knocks your confidence in human nature and I really hope who ever has done this gets their just deserts, they deserve everything that is coming to them. >:(Think the police should have been rather more concerned than they seemed. So sorry for you all . Love and best wishes, busy_lizzie :-*
Quote from: Digeroo on February 13, 2011, 09:16:24
Sorry to hear of your problem. Your allotments to me are the epitomy of community spirit. It is so sad when a few mindless individuals spoil things.
One thing to watch out for is the 'double take'. You carefully replace all the items and a couple of weeks later they come again for those as well.
Yes, this has been on my mind too. I only noticed yesterday that they stole the microwave too and it doesn't seem worth replacing it.
Our community spirit is still alive and kicking! We had more donations of cat food yesterday, more offers of help to tidy up and some people brought tea and coffee for the kitchen. One woman didn't have transport yesterday so she walked about two miles just to come and make sure we were alright.
Quote from: goodlife on February 13, 2011, 10:01:47
hmmm..some sort of electronic cattle fencing system connected into various metal bits..like door handles start sounding very tempting ..to at least give some of their own back when/if they sould return. ::) :-X
;D..I would love to be 'fly on the wall' then.
Is there any chance for arranging for odd late night 'parties' to go around now and then for next few weeks..if they only see some torch lights it might discourage them trying again in a hurry...and maybe some small lights in timer, arraged to go on and off different times..so when there is nobody with torches they might just think odd one of you is still on guard.
One chap on our lottie did connect some christmas light on car battery and these were flickering in his shed... ;D..I'm living close to his lottie and I had to ring him late at night..alarmed that something odd is going off.. ;D He forgot to warn me.. ;D...but his shed breakings stopped and neighbours did take notice if his light wouldn't for some reason be on.
One of our plot holders has a large rather fierce German Shepherd, I wonder if he could be persuaded to exercise her at night on the site? Mind you, if she bit an intruder we would be the ones in trouble I suppose. ::)
Lights on a timer are a very good idea, I will suggest it today.
Quote from: tonybloke on February 13, 2011, 13:29:04
well I hope you bent the ears of the plod who came today, and made a note of their numbers ( on shoulder of plod uniform)
they really don't give a stuff about burglaries, just interested in chasing cars and attending minor car crashes ( is it 'cos they can claim money from the car insurers? you bet it is!!)
A young constable and an even younger PCSO came to inspect the damage to one shed. I asked them why nobody had been in touch about the break in and theft from the pavilion and he gave me an explanation which didn't make any sense to me. I think it was something to do with whoever was on duty when the call was made but I'm not sure. He made a note of our log number and said he would follow it up and get us a crime number.
I will phone again today and follow it up myself.
Quote from: pumpkinlover on February 13, 2011, 14:04:07
Quote from: Squash64 on February 13, 2011, 05:25:18
Tony, I think it's a good idea to tell the local paper so I'll do that in the morning.
As for the police, one of our plotholders found that her shed had been broken into yesterday and phoned the police just to report it and get a log number. They told her they wanted to come out at 8 pm that night! She told them that it would be dark ::) so they are coming at 10.30 this morning. When she told them about the pavilion and that nobody had been out, they said that they were only dealing with her shed and that she mustn't tell anyone they were coming!!
So she told you and you put it on here Betty!!!! ;D
:D :D
When the two uniformed officers arrived yesterday morning a group of our plot holders were sitting outside the pavilion having cups of tea. As soon as they saw them they all started clapping and cheering and making remarks like "So you managed to get here then?"
Quote from: Sinbad7 on February 13, 2011, 14:42:51
I am so sorry to read about this, it leaves a horrible feeling with you.
I know when our shed was broken into on a regular basis I used to feel terrible and wondered if it was all worth it. I used to feel just as though my home had been broken into.
It seemed every Sunday lunchtime I would get a phone call asking me to go to the site as we had been broken into again. In the end the police suggested I contacted the Crime Prevention team which I duly did and when I had a meeting with them, on site, they suggested we had metal boxes put over the door lock/hasp/padlock. It wasn't cheap to get done but we did do it. This has worked as our shed has never been broken into since. I must admit it is not easy for our members to gain entry if they are in a hurry but there is no way anyone can force the hasp or take bolt croppers to the padlock, so well worth a thought Betty to contact Crime Prevention.
Good idea about the Crime Prevention, I will make enquiries.
Is there any chance you could take a photo of the metal box on your door and put it on here please? I'd be very interested to see it.
Quote from: busy_lizzie on February 13, 2011, 16:59:05
Like everyone else I am sickened to hear about this Betty. It makes you wonder how low people can get. It really knocks your confidence in human nature and I really hope who ever has done this gets their just deserts, they deserve everything that is coming to them. >:(Think the police should have been rather more concerned than they seemed. So sorry for you all . Love and best wishes, busy_lizzie :-*
Thanks Lizzie, :)
What a horrid thing to happen! ..and what a horrid thing for someone to do. I think you should start training Psycho as a Ninja warrior allotment guard! ;)
Really, I would not let this put you off having an honesty fund for tea/coffee etc but maybe there is a better way of doing it? Obviously the thieves are wise to the fact that money is kept there, maybe the last person to go at night could take the box and hide it somewhere? I know this sounds daft but that could be in your loos (if you have one) or a disused shed, or something. Somewhere where it will not be obvious. It's a thought anyway.
Otherwise you could have a set day for putting in a few quid and that money could be kept by one of the plotholders?
You know, on our plot there are sometimes communal events like an afternoon tea etc (I personally am not too involved as the folk there are a lot older than me and I think I am a bit of a freak show to them, being a foreigner, also my hubbie does not like that sort of thing so I don't really go by myself), but there is nothing left that could be stolen, except a few old cups and glasses. People do not bring tea etc to the lots and the only people who drink are the few old boys who get stuck into the cheap red around lunchtime. I envy the communal spirit that you seem to have and to use an old adag, "don't let the *fatherless children* grind you down". Don't let them change your habits, but do be more careful with leaving cash about...
Good luck.
Quote from: grawrc on February 14, 2011, 07:45:08
What a horrid thing to happen! ..and what a horrid thing for someone to do. I think you should start training Psycho as a Ninja warrior allotment guard! ;)
You know Anne, one of the first things I thought of when I saw the damage was that Psycho should have been on guard!
("Ninja" is a nice name for her)
Quote from: antipodes on February 14, 2011, 15:59:21
Really, I would not let this put you off having an honesty fund for tea/coffee etc but maybe there is a better way of doing it? Obviously the thieves are wise to the fact that money is kept there, maybe the last person to go at night could take the box and hide it somewhere? I know this sounds daft but that could be in your loos (if you have one) or a disused shed, or something. Somewhere where it will not be obvious. It's a thought anyway.
Otherwise you could have a set day for putting in a few quid and that money could be kept by one of the plotholders?
You know, on our plot there are sometimes communal events like an afternoon tea etc (I personally am not too involved as the folk there are a lot older than me and I think I am a bit of a freak show to them, being a foreigner, also my hubbie does not like that sort of thing so I don't really go by myself), but there is nothing left that could be stolen, except a few old cups and glasses. People do not bring tea etc to the lots and the only people who drink are the few old boys who get stuck into the cheap red around lunchtime. I envy the communal spirit that you seem to have and to use an old adag, "don't let the *fatherless children* grind you down". Don't let them change your habits, but do be more careful with leaving cash about...
Good luck.
Good idea about someone hiding the money - I am usually only there in the mornings but I could ask Ken, the cat man if he would look after it because he stays
till quite late.
He is also keeping some of the cat food hidden in his shed and I will keep the rest in my car. It's a shame it's come to this but it could be worse.
Really sorry Betty I didn't see your reply yesterday I would have gone and taken it's photo today. But, will go down there tomorrow and take it for you.
Really feel for you and shame you can't fight back. I know everyone knocks the police but it must be dispiriting for them knowing that even if they catch the b's they won't get any sort of real punishment. Find myself thinking of delicious payback ways like a booby trap that dumped a pile of fresh stinking manure on them when they broke in - if only.
More realistically perhaps you could keep your cat food in something innocent looking like a compost bin close by. And it might be legal to keep some dummy goodies on display - like a tin of biscuits with ground up senna pods in them and an opened bottle of wine heavily laced with the very hottest of chillis (nasty but not poisonous) - you could label them as 'Bill's biscuits' or something so noone else had by mistake - at least that would be a sort of retribution if the low life come back.
Sorry if I have got it wrong, but aren't you the one with the scarecrows that look like real people. If I broke into your shed, I would be so scared, just sit a few on seats near the door and paint them with luminous paint. ;D Maybe put a gun in one of their hands, but suppose that is illegal.
Hi Betty, I've been away for a few days and am just catching up. What a terrible mess, but on the bright side you do sound like you have some wonderful plot holders to help sort it out, along side some great practical advice from folks on here :)
Hope things get back to normal soon
10 ;)
ps. One of the best ways to get some attention is to make a complaint (in writing - bet there is an email addy on the local police site) about the no-show of the police ;) :-X
This is from our local free newspaper.
http://www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk/greatbarrnews/Allotment-holders-gutted-thieves-steal-cat-food/article-3237045-detail/article.html
Quote from: Alex133 on February 15, 2011, 09:01:33
Really feel for you and shame you can't fight back. I know everyone knocks the police but it must be dispiriting for them knowing that even if they catch the b's they won't get any sort of real punishment. Find myself thinking of delicious payback ways like a booby trap that dumped a pile of fresh stinking manure on them when they broke in - if only.
More realistically perhaps you could keep your cat food in something innocent looking like a compost bin close by. And it might be legal to keep some dummy goodies on display - like a tin of biscuits with ground up senna pods in them and an opened bottle of wine heavily laced with the very hottest of chillis (nasty but not poisonous) - you could label them as 'Bill's biscuits' or something so noone else had by mistake - at least that would be a sort of retribution if the low life come back.
I think we've got to the stage now where we don't actually expect the police to ever catch allotment thieves. And as you say, there is no real punishment even if they do.
I'm keeping the cat food in my car now, just leaving enough for the day in the pavilion.
Senna pod biscuits - mmmm, nice! :D
Quote from: Borlotti on February 15, 2011, 15:50:07
Sorry if I have got it wrong, but aren't you the one with the scarecrows that look like real people. If I broke into your shed, I would be so scared, just sit a few on seats near the door and paint them with luminous paint. ;D Maybe put a gun in one of their hands, but suppose that is illegal.
That's a good idea!
This one isn't mine, but he would scare anyone off
[attachment=1]
Quote from: 1066 on February 15, 2011, 16:21:28
Hi Betty, I've been away for a few days and am just catching up. What a terrible mess, but on the bright side you do sound like you have some wonderful plot holders to help sort it out, along side some great practical advice from folks on here :)
Hope things get back to normal soon
10 ;)
ps. One of the best ways to get some attention is to make a complaint (in writing - bet there is an email addy on the local police site) about the no-show of the police ;) :-X
Yes Ten, people have been amazing. We have had lots of offers of help, and of cat food!
Good idea to email the local police, I will do that now.
(Did you go somewhere nice?)
Yes, I've been in france, but it's lovely to be home again planning what to grow on the allotment.
I find a letter to the chief honcho (of whatever organisation / company) works a treat, had a right problem with Vodafone, got hold of the name of the chief exec and hey presto, problem sorted :)
That scarecrow would scare me, especially in the dark.
So sorry to hear about the break in guys. If you want some kind of deterent try these.
http://www.airsoftworld.net/pyrotechnics/blank-firing-devices/alarm-trip-mine-12g.html
I just phoned the police and spoke to a very nice lady. She said our incident had accidentally been added to another totally unrelated one and as that one had been dealt with, ours had also been closed.
Anyway, after she'd finished apologising, she said that the police would come and see me at 4 this afternoon.
I'll let you know what they say.
Break-ins and vandalism are a big concern , we have started to look into remote alarm systems . This can be something as simple as a bell ringing in a nearby house(s), to calling a list of mobile phone numbers.
Mindless vandalism is just sad and pointless. but i do wonder how long it will be before crops start disappearing in large quantity,s due to escalating prices.
Rather like that alarm trip gadget
Quote from: colt on February 20, 2011, 22:03:24
So sorry to hear about the break in guys. If you want some kind of deterent try these.
http://www.airsoftworld.net/pyrotechnics/blank-firing-devices/alarm-trip-mine-12g.html
Thanks for that, it looks........er.........interesting! :o
Have you ever seen one?
Quote from: Squash64 on February 21, 2011, 13:20:05
Quote from: colt on February 20, 2011, 22:03:24
So sorry to hear about the break in guys. If you want some kind of deterent try these.
http://www.airsoftworld.net/pyrotechnics/blank-firing-devices/alarm-trip-mine-12g.html
Thanks for that, it looks........er.........interesting! :o
Have you ever seen one?
I agree it looks interesting, is it legal!! :-\
Quote from: Squash64 on February 21, 2011, 10:20:41
I just phoned the police and spoke to a very nice lady. She said our incident had accidentally been added to another totally unrelated one and as that one had been dealt with, ours had also been closed.
Anyway, after she'd finished apologising, she said that the police would come and see me at 4 this afternoon.
I'll let you know what they say.
I have heard some excuses in my time .......................... ;D
If it finally gets the police out, it will be better late than never! Ask them for detailled advice how to make yourself less vunerable to this sort of thing. I hope they will do their job thoroughly.
Quote from: Lottiman on February 21, 2011, 11:10:08
Mindless vandalism is just sad and pointless. but i do wonder how long it will be before crops start disappearing in large quantity,s due to escalating prices.
I was thinking the same last evening. Not long, I fear.
A very nice young police officer came to see me this afternoon. However, within a few minutes it was obvious that she didn't have a clue what allotments were! I had to explain that the land was owned by the Council etc. etc. and that I was not employed by the Council but did it voluntarily. It seems strange to me that people don't know what allotments are, especially in Birmingham which has 117 sites, more than any other local authority in the country.
She doesn't hold much hope that the thieves will ever be caught but she will ask for the Crime Prevention people to contact us, so that's a good thing.
She apologised for the mix-up. We had somehow been added on to something which had happened on the motorway. ???
Quote from: Squash64 on February 21, 2011, 17:30:29
1, A very nice young police officer came to see me this afternoon. However, within a few minutes it was obvious that she didn't have a clue what allotments were!
2, She doesn't hold much hope that the thieves will ever be caught but she will ask for the Crime Prevention people to contact us, so that's a good thing.
3, She apologised for the mix-up. We had somehow been added on to something which had happened on the motorway. ???
So to sum up,
1, nice but dim?
2, admits that the police seldom catch and prosecute burglars?
3, police admin is atrocious?
Well that was worth waiting for then wasn't it ??? ??? ??? ????
Your visit from the old bill was nothing to do with it being splashed across your local rag, :( what does our resident copper think of all this. :-\ :-\ :-\
QuoteQuote from: colt on Yesterday at 22:03:24
So sorry to hear about the break in guys. If you want some kind of deterent try these.
http://www.airsoftworld.net/pyrotechnics/blank-firing-devices/alarm-trip-mine-12g.html
Thanks for that, it looks........er.........interesting! Shocked
Have you ever seen one?
I have, a guy that used to be on our site had them setup and shown me how they worked. I was very impressed and if I started having problems would not think twice about getting one. I am not sure if they legal or not but there are loads of places that sell them.
Quote from: tonybloke on February 21, 2011, 18:01:59
So to sum up,
1, nice but dim?
2, admits that the police seldom catch and prosecute burglars?
3, police admin is atrocious?
You've got it in 3 Tony. ::)
how frustrating Squash!
I'd still write a letter.......
Quote from: 1066 on February 22, 2011, 08:34:42
how frustrating Squash!
I'd still write a letter.......
No promise for including allotments in patrols, at least checking that the gates are secure? They must be patrolling the stadium regularly I imagine.
Our local filth admit that there's very little chance of catching a thief, but they do wander round the site occasionally, and that may do something to deter some of the ladies of the night at least. When we had someone with a grudge going round vandalising committee members' plots, they did at least go and hassle him, which contributed to ending the problem.
On our site we had a multiple break in. About 12 to 15 shed doors forced open but nothing taken. They were back last weekend to do the rest of the sheds but nothing taken.
Well, not totally true. I was the only one with things nicked - sulphate of potash/ammonia, liquid seaweed, bug killer sprays & such things - even rooting powder. However, they left the tomato feed & slug pellets which were on the same shelf.
Sorry to hear about your break-in too Marcitos. It's hard to understand why thieves take some things and leave others - yours don't grow tomatoes, or have a slug problem and ours don't take sugar but do have cats?
About 3 years ago the local police set up an 'Allotment Watch' scheme with the local bobbies having keys to our site. They said they would drive around after dark but I'm not sure if they ever did. The PC who co-ordinated it has since moved so nothing happens these days.
As Galina knows, we are next door to the Alexander Stadium which has massive building work going on at the moment in preparation for the Olympics as some of the teams will be training there.
We give the community plods a key for our gate and they lost it, :( two of them wanted to take a short cut through our site to surprise someone in the flats who had been revving his car on and off for a while, they asked me to open the gate, so I asked where's their key and I got that community plod tesco bag carrying mobile to the earole look, what key, ??? anyway I let them in and out again, we give another key out and still I've never seen them on our site, they had promised to keep a presence after thefts, they wander past the fence on the park 3 or four times a day with their tesco bags in tow, it wouldn't hurt to pop in and be seen by the public and lottie holders once in a while. :( :( :(
Heard on LBC that Boris is starting a scheme buy one get one free for police. Has ET come back???
Another allotment site about a mile away from us was broken into on Sunday night and guess what the thieves stole - cat food! They caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage and stole a broken clock and cat food.
Quote from: Squash64 on March 09, 2011, 05:54:02
Another allotment site about a mile away from us was broken into on Sunday night and guess what the thieves stole - cat food! They caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage and stole a broken clock and cat food.
It looks like a pattern is emerging here, may be the police could consultant one of those forensic psychologists who could help catch the culprits. ;)
What with the cut in policing we will be lucky if we ever see a copper under all of that paperwork >:(
Quote from: pumpkinlover on March 09, 2011, 06:15:19
It looks like a pattern is emerging here, may be the police could consultant one of those forensic psychologists who could help catch the culprits. ;)
They need to look for a hungry, tea/coffee-drinking, cat-loving, diabetic (didn't take the sugar) clock-collecting (stole 2 of ours) ready-meal user (stole our microwave) who isn't interested in gardening (left all the seed potatoes, fertilizers, tools etc.)
That should narrow it down a bit shouldn't it!
What's your local take away like?...do they deliver food in time?..what's the food like? As long as the cats don't start dissapearing.. :-X
Having been on the committee for over 15 years people still try to tell me things on site... (now I'm not) we had a break in last week and sheds were forced but nothing taken... plotholder thought this was strange... I asked him did he keep a rotovator or power tools in there... he said no... forgot to ask him about the cat food!! :-X
Must be desperate times.. ::)
Looks like we have a cat burglar in our midst. :-X :P
i agree it is tough times. that is why I bought new spoon for the old lady down road for her birthday.
Since everyone know old people start eating pet food when times get tough. pet food has balanced nutrition and gives them a shiny coat.
But if really want prevent shed break in and site theft there are better solutions. either get better built shed that can not be easily broken into.
Also do not leave anything that could be stolen on site. Or you could put trap door in you shed floor that hide the important stuff. I have also seen sliding bolt systems the when add to normal shed door can not be open without a bulldozer or know the correct way open. i they have lock and bolt systems that cost very little but will take guy sledge hammer over 10 hours to break into. thieves are looking for easy score if make hard for them they rob someone else instead.
The lock's not much help when they can kick their way through most shed walls, and have done on my site. A stout gate and a thorn hedge work wonders, but most sites don't have such blessings. It's very noticeable on my site that they tend to go for the plots they can get into easily.
They peeled open the pavilion metal door as though they were opening a tin can and took the entire lock out. The pavilion is supposed to be vandal-proof and it replaced a wooden one that was burned to the ground. I think if thieves want to get in, they will find a way, no matter how difficult it is.
Our tennis club was broken into, and the drink stolen from the bar and a TV. We didn't think they would be caught, but the police came. Then we heard that other tennis clubs in the area were being targeted, and the police did catch them at another club. We now have cameras up. So if there is a pattern here, and all the allotments are being broken into, maybe the police (if they had any brain) they could watch and maybe catch them. Lots of love to ET.