Shed Break-ins

[Elaine]

Hi All. The mindless idiots who like destroying peoples peace of mind are at it again. There were ten sheds broken into on our site on Friday night. Fortunately ours wasn't one of them but two neighbouring plots were done and I really feel for these folk. The evil (expletive omitted) practically demolished one shed door to gain entry. So far, nothing has been reported as stolen, so that means they just did it for the hell of it. I know it is a familiar refrain but WHAT is wrong with these people? I just hope the old adage, "What goes around, comes around" applies to these idiots ( can't think of a suitable word without resorting to vile language) so they will then possibly remember what they did and regret it. I doubt they will regret it though, they will just be outraged that someone has had the audacity to violate their property Rant over! Cheers.

[macmac]

Rant away Elaine.... We're just holding our breath as our site hasn't been done for a while
On another note my dad was born in Hull,I was born in Bridlington,oh I do miss beautiful Yorkshire

[oldherbaceous]

I must remind myself just how lucky we are round here, we just seem to miss most of these troubles.

[Marken]

I think these break-ins are by people looking for anything they could conceivably sell? I guess sheds are an easy target as allotments are sited away from overlooking houses.
Its a horrible feeling to think that someone has been on your land and I'm not sure really what the answer is, but it does seem to be a sign of the times.

[Monika]

It must be horrible to get to your allotment shed and find it violated, either broken into, damaged or burnt, or whatever, and I really send my sympathies to anybody who is so afflicted. Luckily, the only human damage we have had were a few stolen (and eaten on the spot) pea pods, but I suppose that is like apple scrumping, part of growing up.

Our problems are with rabbits, pheasants, grouse, jackdaws, lambs and even cows, particularly nosy and determined heifers!

[Larkshall]

I had a 50 metre extension cable and drum stolen a while back. I replaced it but took the cable off the drum (it's not so easy to handle when its just coiled up, about two metres to a turn (that's 25 turns done up together). After the breakin I fixed an alarm up with a motor horn and battery. It'll wake everybody up if they come back. Don't keep your shed tidy, always chuck things down haphazardly, then they won't bother. Because my shed was like that, they didn't go in and although there were electric tools, petrol strimmer and various other things, all they took was the cable which they could reach from the door.

[Malk]

Larkshall, my shed was a mess, but they still torched it. But good advice anyway as I never really had any problems until I left the straw on the porch.

Elaine, make sure that everyone that's been broken into makes a report to the police. After 3 weeks of breakins and my fire we had plains clothes police staking out the plots over the weekend. They are finally taking us seriously, but I don't know if they'll be able to do much as the idiots will just wait until they leave as they can't spend all night.

[Elaine]

Hi Malk. We have regular police surgeries on our plot now. Last year was terrible for break ins and vandalism. The local bobby makes regular patrols and we even had the helicopter doing it's stuff earlier this year. We were also issued with Smart water. In spite of this, they are still getting in and wreaking misery. Everyone reports even the tiniest theft/damage to the police now. Cheers.

[Malk]

What's smart water?

I like Larkhall's alarm idea, need to try that.

[Shallot Man]

SMART WATER. I think its a new Common Market directive, that the water only goes to vegetables, and bypasses weeds, if it is not that, it should be.

[Belinda]

SMARTWATER Instant is a liquid forensic coding system, the solution contains hundreds of microscopic particles, each one bearing your own unique reference number that is registered on SmartWater's National database and can be read by the police using a simple hand-held microscope.

i.e. mark your possessions, advertise the fact that you use the product, and deter the thieves because they won't want to risk getting caught handling stolen goods that can be easily identified as such.

[lez]

we had a bit of trouble the other thursday but it's down to kids. they come looking for alcohol as they know some keep a tipple in thier sheds. they only hit one side of the plots and I think that a proffesional would of been more expert as the way the sheds where done there was no thought. I also think they did sheds furthest away from houses and the road and some of the plot is lit by street lights. also the style of lock seems to help. hasp and clasp they did and the sliding bolts they left due to amount of noise generated I suppose. nothing went missing as far as I know but then you don't realise till you go to use an item and find it gone. anyway chin and keep smiling remember nil ilgitamie desperandum carbunundrum (or something like that) ie: don't let the b------s grind you down. good luck to all.

[Elaine]

Several sheds were broken into again on our allotment site on Friday morning and they were well and truly turned over. Our good friends on the next plot were robbed of all their gardening and DIY tools, including a petrol mower - old but trusty. They even took the stove and gas bottle AND the tea bags. It would seem the thieves gained access via the metal railings by un-doing the bolts and moving the railings aside.
It's a pity these people can't channel their "talents" into something useful - like gainful employment- instead of causing untold misery and inconvenience to others. Absolutely appalling situation. Cheers.

[macmac]

So sorry to hear about the break-ins Elaine,it seems wherever you are there are these...not sure what to call them.My OH says if they were busy doing a days work they wouldn't have the energy to be out thieving Hope you and your lottie mates can get replacements especially the teabags.My best wishes to you all in beautiful Yorkshire(where i was born)

[Shallot Man]

Elaine. To take the tea bags is a step to far.