UK: Allotments get night guards as credit crunch sparks vegetable thefts

Allotment-holders are introducing security patrols after a surge in fruit and vegetable thefts which has been blamed on rising food prices.

Gardeners fear that with economic conditions worsening and household budgets under strain, people are stealing produce in order to save themselves money at the checkouts.

A series of raids have prompted the Ottery St Mary allotment committee in Devon to launch evening patrols, with members visiting the set to keep an eye out for suspicious characters.


The town council has arranged for a lock to be put on the allotment gate and local police have asked nearby residents to report anything unusual.

Chairman of the committee, Adrian Foster, who has had raspberries, peas and runner beans stolen from his own allotment, said he had never experienced such high levels of thefts in the 22 years he has been there.

…Ayesha Wilkinson, from the South West Counties Allotment Association, said: “Thefts are becoming more common. It’s produce more than anything now because of the price of food. It’s definitely got worse over the last few months.”

Telegraph