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Allotments plundered for veg
6:30am Friday 4th July 2008
Scores of allotment owners across Oxford have been put on red alert after a spate of vegetable thefts was blamed on the rising cost of food.
The warning was issued after broad beans, onions and sweetcorn were stolen from Elder Stubbs allotments in Cowley on separate occasions last week.
Last night, Oxford City Council said it was the first time it had heard of food being stolen from allotments in the city.
Allotments holders said they believed spiralling food prices were to blame for the thefts.
Sally Robertson, whose plot has been raided three times in as many weeks, said: "I do think rising food prices played a substantial part in it - especially because it was organic vegetables, which sometimes cost a bit more at the supermarkets. Having the allotment had restored my faith in society because everybody is so nice down there.
"But to then go and have it spoilt has really disillusioned me. I just think it is despicable."
Miss Robertson, 26, from Badgers Walk, and her sister Jane, took on the plot at the mental health charity-owned site a year ago to cultivate home-grown produce.
The pair spend about six hours each week tending the plot, for which they pay £12.90 a year in rent.
But on Tuesday, June 10, Miss Robertson noticed her crop of globe artichokes had been slashed with a knife and killed.
Two weeks later about 20 broad bean plants were dug up and stolen - just as they had become ready to eat.
Soon after that, 15 ripe sweetcorn plants were swiped.
Miss Robertson said another plot holder had reported his onions missing.
She added: "I think the people that committed this crime are selfish and unfeeling.
"Although the price of food is increasing that's no excuse to take what's not yours."
She said she would now be talking to the allotment's management committee about installing CCTV.
Phil Creme, estate manager for Elder Stubbs Allotments, said one or two other crops had been damaged, and added: "The price of food is increasing and that could well mean allotments are targeted.
"People are taking up their crops slightly early because they don't want them to be pinched."
Mike Gass, the council's allotment manager, said plots were frequently vandalised, but he had not heard of vegetable thefts in the past or elsewhere.
A police spokesman said: "The Cowley neighbourhood policing team will be liaising with the management at the site.
"Allotments are often vulnerable to petty crime, so we advise plot holders to look out for each other's property and report anyone acting suspiciously."
Have you had fruit or vegetables stolen from your allotment plot? If so, call our newsdesk on 01865 425444.
Your Say YourOxford
Green, Oxford says...
8:44am Fri 4 Jul 08
Lee Blackbird, Blackbird Leys says...
9:36am Fri 4 Jul 08
Your average British chav wouldn't understand that food comes from the ground, not from a box marked 'Iceland'. Anyway, they're not affected by the credit crunch since they're all on benefits.
This is probably just mindless vandalism or theft in order to sell for profit. I don't think the credit crunch has hit so hard that hungry people are raiding artichokes to survive...
tim, an allotment in Devon says...
9:39am Fri 4 Jul 08
The police advice is redundant. Allotment holders all over the country already look out for one another, it's part of the attraction of allotment communiries - but it would be nice to see them getting attention from the boys in blue when the allotmenteers have finished for the day/evening - some hope given the existing calls on their time.
(PS Ripe sweetcorn in June- what variety is ready that early??)
Ed, Oxford says...
10:19am Fri 4 Jul 08
I read about people in Russia stealing food. If you can prove you have no money you get let off lightly (bizarrely).
I see Polish fishermen poaching from the Thames every weekend. How do I know they're Polish? The flag on one guy's jacket is a bit of a giveaway. Why anyone would eat Thames fish is beyond me. You're asking for the squits if nothing else!
cottage2day, cowley says...
10:28am Fri 4 Jul 08
Paul and Frank, cowley says...
10:32am Fri 4 Jul 08
Paul and Frank, cowley says...
10:39am Fri 4 Jul 08
Alan Page, Guildford says...
11:06am Fri 4 Jul 08
Lee Blackbird wrote:Probably local bourgeois students, you know private education and whining about having to pay their way.
I agree with Green. Your average British chav wouldn't understand that food comes from the ground, not from a box marked 'Iceland'. Anyway, they're not affected by the credit crunch since they're all on benefits. This is probably just mindless vandalism or theft in order to sell for profit. I don't think the credit crunch has hit so hard that hungry people are raiding artichokes to survive...
Cowley Road is full of cheap vegetable counters.
Does anybody actually eat Globe Artichokes on Council Estates?
Now it if were carrots and spuds. Possibly.
David, wantage says...
11:21am Fri 4 Jul 08
Has beans!
Idiot Boy, BBL gathering area for neds. says...
12:00pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Can you buy them with super lager?
b b leys resident, oxford says...
4:08pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Alan Page wrote:YOU MAY NOT REALISE IT BUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON COUNCIL ESTATES EAT THE SAME FOOD AS PEOPLE WHO DONT.BUT THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY IT READY PREPARED AND COOKED FROM MARKS AND SPENCER SO THEY USE A BIT OF SAVVY AND GROW THEIR OWN.THEY ALSO HAVE COMMON SENSE AND DONT TALK CRAP.
Lee Blackbird wrote: I agree with Green. Your average British chav wouldn\'t understand that food comes from the ground, not from a box marked \'Iceland\'. Anyway, they\'re not affected by the credit crunch since they\'re all on benefits. This is probably just mindless vandalism or theft in order to sell for profit. I don\'t think the credit crunch has hit so hard that hungry people are raiding artichokes to survive...Probably local bourgeois students, you know private education and whining about having to pay their way. Cowley Road is full of cheap vegetable counters. Does anybody actually eat Globe Artichokes on Council Estates? Now it if were carrots and spuds. Possibly.
Council Estate Super Chef, Oxford says...
4:17pm Fri 4 Jul 08
b b leys resident wrote:Don't be ridiculous! People on council estates don't grow their own food, nor do they buy it ready prepared and cooked from Marks and Spencer. They actually buy it ready prepared from Iceland and bung it in the oven...
Alan Page wrote:YOU MAY NOT REALISE IT BUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON COUNCIL ESTATES EAT THE SAME FOOD AS PEOPLE WHO DONT.BUT THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY IT READY PREPARED AND COOKED FROM MARKS AND SPENCER SO THEY USE A BIT OF SAVVY AND GROW THEIR OWN.THEY ALSO HAVE COMMON SENSE AND DONT TALK CRAP.Lee Blackbird wrote: I agree with Green. Your average British chav wouldn\'t understand that food comes from the ground, not from a box marked \'Iceland\'. Anyway, they\'re not affected by the credit crunch since they\'re all on benefits. This is probably just mindless vandalism or theft in order to sell for profit. I don\'t think the credit crunch has hit so hard that hungry people are raiding artichokes to survive...Probably local bourgeois students, you know private education and whining about having to pay their way. Cowley Road is full of cheap vegetable counters. Does anybody actually eat Globe Artichokes on Council Estates? Now it if were carrots and spuds. Possibly.
Mr Ison, England says...
7:23pm Fri 4 Jul 08
RMJ, says...
7:55pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Whoever's responsible, I hope Miss Robertson and her sister are not put off after all their hard work. Good luck to them both.
Mr Ison, England says...
11:57pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Get orf my allotment?
Could be.
Plausible Scenario Number 1.
Person A stole person B's manure whilst person B was absent,person B became angry and confided in person A that someones been stealing the manure.
Person A and B agree to keep a lookout for person C.
Person A tells person B that person C has been identified.
Person A and B conspire to commit criminal damage.
Person A backs out.
Person B commits criminal damage on person C
Person A nd B rely on youth hysteria to conceal the crime.
Person A:thief and liar
Person B:fool and vandal
Person C:victim
Youths:imaginary.
Alan Page, Guildford says...
12:03am Sat 5 Jul 08
b b leys resident wrote:Well I've never known of Globe Artichokes being particularly in demand around my Estate.Very Bourgeois.
Alan Page wrote:YOU MAY NOT REALISE IT BUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON COUNCIL ESTATES EAT THE SAME FOOD AS PEOPLE WHO DONT.BUT THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY IT READY PREPARED AND COOKED FROM MARKS AND SPENCER SO THEY USE A BIT OF SAVVY AND GROW THEIR OWN.THEY ALSO HAVE COMMON SENSE AND DONT TALK CRAP.Lee Blackbird wrote: I agree with Green. Your average British chav wouldn\'t understand that food comes from the ground, not from a box marked \'Iceland\'. Anyway, they\'re not affected by the credit crunch since they\'re all on benefits. This is probably just mindless vandalism or theft in order to sell for profit. I don\'t think the credit crunch has hit so hard that hungry people are raiding artichokes to survive...Probably local bourgeois students, you know private education and whining about having to pay their way. Cowley Road is full of cheap vegetable counters. Does anybody actually eat Globe Artichokes on Council Estates? Now it if were carrots and spuds. Possibly.
Alan Page, Guildford says...
12:09am Sat 5 Jul 08
Council Estate Super Chef wrote:Oh we have allotments here, but mostly runner beans, potatoes,carrots, lettuces. Globe artichokes? Not terribly prevalent.
b b leys resident wrote:Don't be ridiculous! People on council estates don't grow their own food, nor do they buy it ready prepared and cooked from Marks and Spencer. They actually buy it ready prepared from Iceland and bung it in the oven...Alan Page wrote:YOU MAY NOT REALISE IT BUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON COUNCIL ESTATES EAT THE SAME FOOD AS PEOPLE WHO DONT.BUT THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY IT READY PREPARED AND COOKED FROM MARKS AND SPENCER SO THEY USE A BIT OF SAVVY AND GROW THEIR OWN.THEY ALSO HAVE COMMON SENSE AND DONT TALK CRAP.Lee Blackbird wrote: I agree with Green. Your average British chav wouldn\'t understand that food comes from the ground, not from a box marked \'Iceland\'. Anyway, they\'re not affected by the credit crunch since they\'re all on benefits. This is probably just mindless vandalism or theft in order to sell for profit. I don\'t think the credit crunch has hit so hard that hungry people are raiding artichokes to survive...Probably local bourgeois students, you know private education and whining about having to pay their way. Cowley Road is full of cheap vegetable counters. Does anybody actually eat Globe Artichokes on Council Estates? Now it if were carrots and spuds. Possibly.
Belong to the more Delia Smith inclined. Given the position of the allotments, my guess is still students who needed something to go with a vinegarette dressing just found in the larder.
Mr Ison, England says...
12:09am Sat 5 Jul 08
Ranging from talking heads eager to incite hatred of youths to jealous lovers of somekind.
And beyond.
Mr Ison, England says...
12:14am Sat 5 Jul 08
Mr Ison, England says...
12:34am Sat 5 Jul 08
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Sally Robertson on her allotment where sweetcorn was growing
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Bartek, Warsaw Team says...
8:22am Fri 4 Jul 08
Very tasty with the Swans and fish.