Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and was
confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken into, doors
or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to the sheds they had
smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no shed we only had big
footprints in the soft earth were I had already dug as they walked across
our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it home
after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting notices
on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders as I could by
phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to the site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders because
of Data Protection!!!

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and was
confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken into,
doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to the sheds
they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no shed we only had
big footprints in the soft earth were I had already dug as they walked
across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it home
after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting notices
on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders as I could
by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to the site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK


I think you are just tooooooo polite calling them 'villians' :-((

The Council are of course correct in not giving out the plot holders contact
details BUT now is an excellent opportunity to have 'someone' (you?) to
collect those details and use them amongst yourselves. Call yourself a
'Membership Secretary' if you like and you can collect the details and you
can then contact members as required. You will NOT be contravening the Data
Protection Act as long as you act in the manner described.

Hope that helps

--
Mike

The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association
www.rneba.org.uk
Luxury Self Catering on the Isle of Wight?
www.shanklinmanormews.co.uk

On 2009-12-07 12:58:31 +0000, "Bob Hobden" said:

Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and was
confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken into,
doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to the
sheds they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no shed we
only had big footprints in the soft earth were I had already dug as
they walked across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it home
after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting
notices on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders
as I could by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to
the site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!

Oh Bob, how really awful. This isn't the first time either, IIRC. I'm
so sorry to read of this. It's totally beyond me to understand what
brings people to the point of doing this sort of thing but all I can
say is they must live very miserable lives. One can't imagine them
getting very far in life, either. I should tell the Council jobsworth
that you expect them to contact all the allotment holders and that if
they don't, they put the Council at risk of legal action for not taking
steps to protect their tenants' interests.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics.
South Devon

Sacha wrote:
On 2009-12-07 12:58:31 +0000, "Bob Hobden" said:

Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and
was confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken
into, doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to
the sheds they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no
shed we only had big footprints in the soft earth were I had already
dug as they walked across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it
home after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting
notices on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders
as I could by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to
the site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!

Oh Bob, how really awful. This isn't the first time either, IIRC. I'm
so sorry to read of this. It's totally beyond me to understand what
brings people to the point of doing this sort of thing but all I can say
is they must live very miserable lives. One can't imagine them getting
very far in life, either. I should tell the Council jobsworth that you
expect them to contact all the allotment holders and that if they don't,
they put the Council at risk of legal action for not taking steps to
protect their tenants' interests.

Jobsworth rays!

--
Rusty

Bob Hobden wrote:
Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and was
confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken into,
doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to the sheds
they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no shed we only
had big footprints in the soft earth were I had already dug as they
walked across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it home
after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting
notices on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders as
I could by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to the
site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!

Yes they can! Jobsworths...

--
Rusty

"Rusty Hinge" wrote
Bob Hobden wrote:
Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and was
confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken into,
doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to the sheds
they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no shed we only
had big footprints in the soft earth were I had already dug as they
walked across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it home
after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting
notices on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders as
I could by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to the
site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!

Yes they can! Jobsworths...

Well it turns out that the Council themselves have now made contact or left
messages for all the other plot holders, saves me a job. I have also been
able to get the details of some that have contacted me for future reference.
The Police have now proved to be a bunch of .......... because they told one
plot holder that each shed has to go down as separate crimes whereas I was
given a number for all the site which they were all to quote so they could
all be linked, they then said they knew nothing about me having found stuff
when I'd given them a list and their SOCO had been round and fingerprinted
it. I despair some times.
Strangely only the petrol Strimmer and the petrol Generator (?) have been
claimed so far so it look like I might gain stuff.
I think they were disturbed. Looking at the site today and the footprints
they appear to have been collecting stuff on the plot by the main gates as
they went through each shed, the cache I found.
A shed near our plot which is also next to our only neighbouring property
had a Cultivator in it that wasn't moved despite the shed being broken into,
that neighbour breeds some large dogs (Dogue de Bordeaux) so perhaps they
started barking and frightened them off. They would put the fear of God into
anyone in the dark, especially when they bark on mass.
Anyway, looks like damage was the only outcome.
They will be back though IDC, guaranteed.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

Bob Hobden wrote:


"Rusty Hinge" wrote
Bob Hobden wrote:
Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and
was confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken
into, doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to
the sheds they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no
shed we only had big footprints in the soft earth were I had already
dug as they walked across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it
home after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting
notices on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders
as I could by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to
the site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!

Yes they can! Jobsworths...

Well it turns out that the Council themselves have now made contact or
left messages for all the other plot holders, saves me a job. I have
also been able to get the details of some that have contacted me for
future reference.
The Police have now proved to be a bunch of .......... because they told
one plot holder that each shed has to go down as separate crimes whereas
I was given a number for all the site which they were all to quote so
they could all be linked, they then said they knew nothing about me
having found stuff when I'd given them a list and their SOCO had been
round and fingerprinted it. I despair some times.
Strangely only the petrol Strimmer and the petrol Generator (?) have
been claimed so far so it look like I might gain stuff.
I think they were disturbed. Looking at the site today and the
footprints they appear to have been collecting stuff on the plot by the
main gates as they went through each shed, the cache I found.
A shed near our plot which is also next to our only neighbouring
property had a Cultivator in it that wasn't moved despite the shed being
broken into, that neighbour breeds some large dogs (Dogue de Bordeaux)
so perhaps they started barking and frightened them off. They would put
the fear of God into anyone in the dark, especially when they bark on mass.
Anyway, looks like damage was the only outcome.
They will be back though IDC, guaranteed.

Get some luminous paint (or better, reflective), and arrange some 'eyes'
around the area...

I'm afraid mantraps are no longer allowed, and deep holes (with sharp
stakes at the bottom) covered with twigs are onsidered a hazard by Elfin
Safety.

--
Rusty

Bob Hobden writes
Well it turns out that the Council themselves have now made contact or
left messages for all the other plot holders, saves me a job.

That's the best way around. I know I'd be a bit annoyed if the Council
passed my details on without authorisation, even with the best of
intentions.

I'm really sorry you've had the trouble. It's not just the value of
what's been taken, it's the work to sort everything out and to tidy the
mess.
--
Kay

On 2009-12-07 16:52:25 +0000, "Bob Hobden" said:



"Rusty Hinge" wrote
Bob Hobden wrote:
Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and was
confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken into,
doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to the
sheds they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no shed we
only had big footprints in the soft earth were I had already dug as
they walked across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it home
after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting
notices on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders
as I could by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to
the site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!

Yes they can! Jobsworths...

Well it turns out that the Council themselves have now made contact or
left messages for all the other plot holders, saves me a job. I have
also been able to get the details of some that have contacted me for
future reference.
The Police have now proved to be a bunch of .......... because they
told one plot holder that each shed has to go down as separate crimes
whereas I was given a number for all the site which they were all to
quote so they could all be linked, they then said they knew nothing
about me having found stuff when I'd given them a list and their SOCO
had been round and fingerprinted it. I despair some times.
Strangely only the petrol Strimmer and the petrol Generator (?) have
been claimed so far so it look like I might gain stuff.
I think they were disturbed. Looking at the site today and the
footprints they appear to have been collecting stuff on the plot by the
main gates as they went through each shed, the cache I found.
A shed near our plot which is also next to our only neighbouring
property had a Cultivator in it that wasn't moved despite the shed
being broken into, that neighbour breeds some large dogs (Dogue de
Bordeaux) so perhaps they started barking and frightened them off. They
would put the fear of God into anyone in the dark, especially when they
bark on mass.
Anyway, looks like damage was the only outcome.
They will be back though IDC, guaranteed.

Maybe a few sheds could have those 'trembler' type car alarms in them?!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics.
South Devon

"Sacha" wrote...
"Bob Hobden" said:
"Rusty Hinge" wrote
Bob Hobden wrote:
Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and was
confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken into,
doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to the
sheds they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no shed we
only had big footprints in the soft earth were I had already dug as
they walked across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it home
after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting
notices on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders
as I could by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to
the site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!

Yes they can! Jobsworths...

Well it turns out that the Council themselves have now made contact or
left messages for all the other plot holders, saves me a job. I have also
been able to get the details of some that have contacted me for future
reference.
The Police have now proved to be a bunch of .......... because they told
one plot holder that each shed has to go down as separate crimes whereas
I was given a number for all the site which they were all to quote so
they could all be linked, they then said they knew nothing about me
having found stuff when I'd given them a list and their SOCO had been
round and fingerprinted it. I despair some times.
Strangely only the petrol Strimmer and the petrol Generator (?) have been
claimed so far so it look like I might gain stuff.
I think they were disturbed. Looking at the site today and the footprints
they appear to have been collecting stuff on the plot by the main gates
as they went through each shed, the cache I found.
A shed near our plot which is also next to our only neighbouring property
had a Cultivator in it that wasn't moved despite the shed being broken
into, that neighbour breeds some large dogs (Dogue de Bordeaux) so
perhaps they started barking and frightened them off. They would put the
fear of God into anyone in the dark, especially when they bark on mass.
Anyway, looks like damage was the only outcome.
They will be back though IDC, guaranteed.

Maybe a few sheds could have those 'trembler' type car alarms in them?!

Possibly, but who would hear them. The best thing is not to have a shed at
all. A couple of us old guys have said all along that with most of the "new"
plot holders all seemingly wanting and erecting sheds it would all end in
tears. When we went there there was only one shed on the whole site and
there had been no problems for 20 years or more, now with 8 sheds we get
trouble for the first time.
I appreciate few would want an old 90 (Defender) van like me, but as most
of the plot holders travel to the site by car I can't understand why they
don't use a small trailer for the tools, they can be left in it if you can
push the trailer into a garage back home. They are so cheap they wouldn't
cost much more than a shed anyway and it frees up some land for plants. If
in walking distance then a good wheelbarrow works well.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

Sacha wrote:
Maybe a few sheds could have those 'trembler' type car alarms in them?!

There's another elderly design which is triggered by a change in
pressure - like when a door opens. (Or the wind gets in under it...)

--
Rusty

On Mon, 7 Dec 2009 16:52:25 -0000, "Bob Hobden"
wrote:



"Rusty Hinge" wrote
Bob Hobden wrote:
Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and was
confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken into,
doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to the sheds
they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no shed we only
had big footprints in the soft earth were I had already dug as they
walked across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it home
after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting
notices on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders as
I could by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to the
site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!

Yes they can! Jobsworths...

Well it turns out that the Council themselves have now made contact or left
messages for all the other plot holders, saves me a job. I have also been
able to get the details of some that have contacted me for future reference.
The Police have now proved to be a bunch of .......... because they told one
plot holder that each shed has to go down as separate crimes whereas I was
given a number for all the site which they were all to quote so they could
all be linked, they then said they knew nothing about me having found stuff
when I'd given them a list and their SOCO had been round and fingerprinted
it. I despair some times.
Strangely only the petrol Strimmer and the petrol Generator (?) have been
claimed so far so it look like I might gain stuff.
I think they were disturbed. Looking at the site today and the footprints
they appear to have been collecting stuff on the plot by the main gates as
they went through each shed, the cache I found.
A shed near our plot which is also next to our only neighbouring property
had a Cultivator in it that wasn't moved despite the shed being broken into,
that neighbour breeds some large dogs (Dogue de Bordeaux) so perhaps they
started barking and frightened them off. They would put the fear of God into
anyone in the dark, especially when they bark on mass.
Anyway, looks like damage was the only outcome.
They will be back though IDC, guaranteed.

Bob, that's dreadful. Is the site solely administered by the Council?
We have a private committee, all plot holders, who are answerable to
the Council but we have a secretary who holds all details and sends
out letters. We have a treasurer who collects the money and pays
bills..
We had a similar thing happen a couple of years ago, with sheds
ransacked, tools thrown around and broken. Our site manager liaised
with the Police.
We pay £8 a year for a standard plot.

Pam in Bristol

"Pam Moore" wrote ...
, "Bob Hobden"
Well it turns out that the Council themselves have now made contact or
left
messages for all the other plot holders, saves me a job. I have also been
able to get the details of some that have contacted me for future
reference.
The Police have now proved to be a bunch of .......... because they told
one
plot holder that each shed has to go down as separate crimes whereas I was
given a number for all the site which they were all to quote so they could
all be linked, they then said they knew nothing about me having found
stuff
when I'd given them a list and their SOCO had been round and fingerprinted
it. I despair some times.
Strangely only the petrol Strimmer and the petrol Generator (?) have been
claimed so far so it look like I might gain stuff.
I think they were disturbed. Looking at the site today and the footprints
they appear to have been collecting stuff on the plot by the main gates as
they went through each shed, the cache I found.
A shed near our plot which is also next to our only neighbouring property
had a Cultivator in it that wasn't moved despite the shed being broken
into,
that neighbour breeds some large dogs (Dogue de Bordeaux) so perhaps they
started barking and frightened them off. They would put the fear of God
into
anyone in the dark, especially when they bark on mass.
Anyway, looks like damage was the only outcome.
They will be back though IDC, guaranteed.

Bob, that's dreadful. Is the site solely administered by the Council?
We have a private committee, all plot holders, who are answerable to
the Council but we have a secretary who holds all details and sends
out letters. We have a treasurer who collects the money and pays
bills..
We had a similar thing happen a couple of years ago, with sheds
ransacked, tools thrown around and broken. Our site manager liaised
with the Police.
We pay £8 a year for a standard plot.

Yes, it's Council owned and run, we have thought about going "self managed"
but to be honest the few of us that would get landed with the work don't
want the bother especially as the site isn't well kept now so would need
some work to make it good, including a strong tall fence down two or even
three sides.
Ours cost £92.00 pa for the normal 10 rod plot with a reduction to £85.00 if
you pay by DD, age concessions are 50%. The cost next year is to be £99.50.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
Went down the allotment site yesterday for a few veg for dinner and was
confronted by the site of all the sheds on the site being broken into,
doors or what's left of them flapping in the breeze. To get to the sheds
they had smashed rabbit fences and gates. Luckily with no shed we only had
big footprints in the soft earth were I had already dug as they walked
across our plot.
Luckily I spotted a cache of stuff hidden by the gates and took it home
after advising the Police.
Spent the rest of the day dealing with the Police, a SOCO, putting notices
on all sheds for the Police, and advising as many plotholders as I could
by phone or personally. Still today I've had to go down to the site again.
Yet the Council can't give me contact details of all the plotholders
because of Data Protection!!!


I feel for you Bob, this happened to our site a few years ago. And yes, AIUI
they have to go down as separate (but linked) crimes, one per victim. Out
cop was gutted by this as it trashed his statistics for the month. I put a
note from me into all the sheds inviting them to get in touch.

Steve