It is hoped a scheme can be set up in the areas to improve the security of sheds and stores and help allotment holders protect their property.

The Evening News reported earlier this week how almost half of all the sheds at the allotments in Newbury Way, Thorpe St Andrew, had been forced open overnight on January 24.

Since then, a fifth of the sheds at allotments in Hillside Avenue have been broken into and there have been five shed break-ins at the allotments in Church Lane.

Vandals forced padlocks open and garden tools, cigarettes and tobacco were stolen.

Allotment holders, the local councils and police now want to set up Allotment Watch schemes in both parishes.

Steven Ford, town clerk for Thorpe St Andrew Town Council, said: “Historically the locks on the sheds have been pretty ramshackle and this has woken allotment holders up to the fact that they need to do the best they can to secure their property properly or be a soft target.”

The Allotment Watch scheme is said to be similar to Home Watch with each participating site appointing a co-ordinator and any deputies who will liaise between plot holders, the police, the Allotment Watch administrator and the parish council.

June Hunt, Sprowston Parish Council clerk, said: “These break-ins are not new to us and we need to band together and put a stop to it. This is not just vandalism but it is theft and it's not nice for allotment holders, for whom this is a part-time hobby, to have their things stolen.”

Both the Sprowston and Spixworth and Thorpe St Andrew Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) are aware of the crimes and are mounting extra patrols in the area.

Norfolk police has urged people to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious in either of these areas.

The SNTs are also working with the Broadland Home Watch Administrator Christine Robson to set up the Allotment Watch schemes.

Mrs Robson said: “I would encourage as many allotment holders as possible to get involved so we can all work together to rid our neighbourhoods of this kind of nuisance behaviour.”

There has also been a spate of graffiti in the Thorpe St Andrew area, with a £3,000 bus shelter outside Dussindale School targeted, and two of Yare Boat Club's boat houses on Thorpe Island were broken into on Saturday, January 26.

Anyone who has any relevant information, should contact the police on 0845 456 4567.

Are you battling anti-social behaviour where you live? Call Evening News crime reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772439 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Source: The Evening News