2007 was a bad year on my site for vandalism- three different sets of break-ins, almost every shed broken into or entered, two sheds set on fire. Probably every other site has suffered too, some of them repeatedly. What can be done? (Apart from manning each corner of the sites overnight with machine-gun towers...!) Most of our plot holders have now given up locking their sheds now. All that has been stolen has been a few screwdrivers, knives and hammers. It is the damage caused which is worse, and the unsettling it causes. It is horrible being the first person in at the weekend after a break-in, not knowing whether they may have come back. One summer's evening kids cut through our fence whilst plot holders were still present! Luckily they ran off when challenged but what if they hadn't?
The Police will allocate an Incident number, and collect details of losses and damage, but what can they do?
It might be a good idea for us to collate all incidents on every site, with a view to making the point to the Council and the Police that sites, and plot holders, are vulnerable.
Does anyone have any suggestions or comments?