Our allotment site has been suffering a spate of vandalism,theft and mindless livestock slaughter. It generally used to happen about once a year (usually around xmas for some reason). However we have had 4 incidents this year already. Usually sheds are broken in to and anything purloinable for scrap value is taken. It is getting to the point where I can leave no tools or anything of the remotest value on site and I am sick of buying new locks and hasps.
Last week hens were killed and plants stolen and thrown around as well as other mindless acts. We report every instance to the police and council but no real practical improvements in security (eg better fencing) are made. The council has increased rent and water rates considerably but seem unwilling to invest any of this in improved security for plotholders. Most people have erected Harris (building site) fencing around their plots but intruders are still undeterred and it looks like a maximum security prison.
Just wondered what kind of security measures other people have taken that actually work? Also what kind of measures could we reasonably ask the council or police to implement? Has anyone successfully tried hidden cameras?
I had a problem with vandalism and theft, involved the police and local council. The police suggested that I install a wildlife camera, I purchased one from maplins, 99 pound, (my pound sign has stopped working). Caught the b------- on film. No problem since.
Just looked at this on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acorn-Wildlife-Camera-Standard-Infrared/dp/B00873DB5S
I suppose good concealment is the big issue otherwise the thieves might delightedly pinch the cool new camera. There is a sweet factory opposite and overlooking our allotment with CCTV cameras visible high on the perimeter. I was considering approaching them to temporarily turn one of their cameras to cover the allotment for a trial period. It would probably be asking too much of the council to install one on a trial but I bet they must have spare ones in some maintanance department or other.
Alternatively I might get a couple of CCTV signs for deterrent value.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Vinyl-and-Magnetic-Signs-Direct/CCTV-Warning-Signs-/_i.html?_fsub=135550016
Locally, the Surrey Police have produced and distributed signs for various extensive areas reading "Police dog training area" Perhaps you could contact the Dog section of your local force and offer the allotments for occasional use for "training "purposes. Sure it would reach the toerag element.
If your site is over looked by houses/sweet factory would one of the them be willing to have a camera put on thier downpipe, thats what our council did and word soon got round and there's been no problems since. They like to put them where the ****s can't reach them as there £300 plus each. Its worth asking.
The added bonus was it stopped the fly tipping as well!!!. I wish you the very best as I no how aggrivateing it is to do all that hard graft/money spent to end up with nothing to show for it.
How awful craggle58 - soul destroying.
It sounds like cameras work.
Our council has a fake camera, which is cheaper. It was borrowed for a street near us where there was anti-social behaviour. You could ask whether yours has one, or would buy one, which can be moved around town to deal with problems as they arise.
If your site has a committee, can one of them meet with the manager at the council responsible for allotments and ask them to help come up with a plan together?
Council might have raised rents to cover loss of subsidy, lots have faced big cutbacks. It doesn't mean they have spare cash. But they should meet with you and discuss it properly. What you're going through is extreme and you shouldn't have to put up with it.
We also had a problem of thieves raiding our allotment 5 breakins in one week. so we decided to up the security. We bought a solar powered cctv for £70 and a fake one for £10, we purchased a load of security stickers from AMAZON for £20 The cctv works a treat. We also put signs with the advice of the police a few ELECTRIFIED FENCES signs and DOGS ON PATROL signs. believe it or not this works. Last year we lost a new trailer that came out of our funds. Insurance have paid out for this. We then decided to get a second 20' long metal container with a secure lock and lock the new trailer with other open day stuff in.
We also changed the Keys and gate locks to hopefully a much better secure system.Each key cost per member £25 deposit.There were moans and groans but now it is fairly secure all round.Police make there rounds at night.
There was evidence of teenage breakins on other allotments.
The thieves could not take the rotivators with them as they were too heavy to lug it over the barbed wire fencing so they left it by the gate,about 3 rotivators. Now everyone takes their valuables home.
Thanks for all the replies. I think the cameras and signage will be the next step. Unfortunately, getting everyone to contribute for anything is usually like pulling teeth. I am also going to leave the shed open in future and take everything of the slightest value home. I've just installed a new automatic watering system for the greenhouse with a digital control box in the shed. I fear for its future.
We have periods of thieving, and as a result I don't put a lock on my shed, they only break it and do more damage.
We have chickens, and have had them stolen a few times. Like you it is reported to police, but they don't take it seriously at all. We have anti climb paint on the railings, which leaves a very oily substance on people/clothes. There was one incident where a teenager climbed over a neighbouring garden and into the allotments and saw me and another person talking. He strolled up to the gates and found them locked, so asked us to unlock them and let him out. The man I was talking to refused, said go back to the garden you came from, the youth said he couldn't as it was his friends house and the dog didn't like him, so we watched him climb over the railings and get covered in the anti climb paint :blob7:.
Really annoys me that people think it is ok to come onto plots and take our stuff.
This sort of this is so frustrating, when you put a lot of work and effort in.