Thurrock Council has been working with Essex Police to cut crime in and around the borough’s allotments.
In conjunction with the Thurrock Allotment Steering Group (TASG), Thurrock Allotment Watch was launched this week (Monday, 25 October) at the group’s annual meeting.
Cllr Val Morris-Cook was at the meeting and said: “Allotments across the borough have been viewed as easy targets for opportunist thieves, taking tools, equipment, produce and many sites have suffered from mindless vandalism too.
“I am passionate about allotments and the council is working hard to open up more so we can reduce the 300-or-so waiting list.
“Allotment Watch is very much like the tried and tested Neighbourhood Watch scheme, relying on plot holders working together, reporting incidents and getting in contact with their local policing teams.”
Angie Pearson, Thurrock Watch Administrator, added: “I am really pleased that Allotment Watch is moving forward.
“At its heart are the core values that have worked so successfully in Neighbourhood Watch; by all working together the members are the vital eyes and ears of the allotment community, and hopefully we can take away the chances of criminals to commit crime on Thurrock’s allotments.”
Along with eye catching Thurrock Allotment Watch signage, set-up packs with DNA security marking liquid to ‘tag’ tools and equipment and direct contact details for local policing teams have been made available to all of Thurrock’s Allotments.
What are the set up costs involved in this project and who is funding it? crime is on the increase in the borough as detailed in the great report from Michael Casey on this site, are the allotment holders paying towards these costs?
I am all for crime initiatives that will assist in the reduction of crime but I feel these types of projects are more PR than crime prevention.
Lambo dont knock them. With the con dem cuts hitting everybody it could be that this is where they grow the veg so they can eat a good meal.