Criminals, arsonists enter PPA site

A Place To Grow Your Own
Remains of RCG shelter and meeting room

Once again, for the second time in just a few years, Riverside Community Garden have been targeted by criminals, along with the whole site generally.

For two consecutive nights previously, there had been evidence of intruders, with most people’s sheds having been found opened the next day, but with no reports of serious theft. However, on this occasion they also set fire to the RCG shelter.

Attempts had been made to enter by both gates, with evidence of someone’s trying to saw through the lock’s tenon bolt, but the criminals were defeated by the anti-saw measures in them. It’s a small comfort at least that it seems that they didn’t have a key, and apparently nor did they climb the gate now fitted with barbed wire. Volunteers have, this morning, also replaced the seriously damaged lock.

Attempt to saw lock tenon defeated by anti-saw roller

Having failed to enter by these means, it appears that they dismantled a short section of dry hedging infill, and climbed over the fence at that point. Volunteers have rebuilt it, and this time woven its components together with barbed wire. (The hedge security has been greatly improved where volunteers have removed excessive, overshadowing growth – and the improvement in light has made it much more vigorous and bushy – but there still remain sections where it’s overhung by trees, and consequently relatively sparse.)

Cameras on site did capture images, of apparently two people with torches or wearing head lights, at around 2030 on Saturday evening, but whether these were intruders or police patrol isn’t evident. They weren’t near RCG in any instance.

Two lights

We can only speculate as to what the full motives were for these incidents. Besides the fire, RCG’s banner on the gate was also torn down.

We’re sorry to have to report such things, but careful thought will be given as to how site security could be further improved.

We’re heartened and impressed, by the expressions of support, and materially very valuable offers of help, which have been made on RCG’s FaceBook pages. We wish them a very speedy return to activities as usual.

PPA Website Team

14 thoughts on “Criminals, arsonists enter PPA site”

  1. Went to check our allotment today, nothing taken. Looked at the RCG site, really sad to see the damage caused, it’s such a shame for them.

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    1. PPAA have offered RCG the old clubhouse. That would be non-combustible, and would make the basis for a good RCG-PPAA collaboration. It would be a matter for the Committee, but at this point it seems likely that PPAA would pay for the materials needed.

      However, our understanding is that – as it stands – RCG would like to rebuild in the same place.

      Whatever, we hope that careful consideration will still be given to PPAA’s proposal. It could form a very beneficial wet weather shelter for the whole site at the times when RCG weren’t using it, for instance. (There’d be no rent payable to the Council in that capacity.)

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      1. It would be good to see the old clubhouse put to use and it would be less of a risk from fire but I imagine the cost won’t be cheap. Also, if it will be used by other plot holders as well it will need to be accessible and not locked, not good as anyone other than plot holders could gain access. I can understand why RCG would want to rebuild in the same place but consideration should be given as to what materials will be used if they do.

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        1. That’s all fair, Wendy, but anyone and everyone could gain access to RCG’s now-destroyed shelter too, so that wouldn’t be a material change. A supported polythene roof on the old club house wouldn’t be expensive, and the overall cost a lot less than the otherwise complete rebuild that would be needed, but these are all moot points anyway, as the matter rests in RCG’s hands.

          If they did choose to up-cycle this concrete structure, then that would also mean that the CO2 released by its construction did at least serve for a further beneficial purpose!

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        3. The idea was that it was indeed there as a common facility as I understand it Wendy.

          One thing that’s perhaps been overlooked in the understandable haste to get back to normal is the change in Structures rules, and re-using the old clubhouse would get round any problem arising from that.

          They now say:

          “The total area occupied by all structures on the plot must not occupy more than 30% of the plot area. A plot of over 2.5 perch (62 sq. m) in area may have one storage shed or greenhouse. A plot over 5 perch (125 sq.m) in area may have one storage shed and one greenhouse as long as the area of ground covered by each structure is not greater than 6 sq.m and the structure is not within a Conservation Area, World Heritage Site or curtilage of a Listed Building and the structure not being within 8m of a non-tidal river and 16m of a tidal river (or associated defences)

          You should also note that if the above limitations are exceeded then you will need to get planning permission and the agreement of Parks Services and Planning before the structure is erected.”

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  4. Reminder: this website – in common with most – can’t publish comments, which make or imply unproven, possibly defamatory claims, against identified people.

    We’d also clarify, that the site’s admin isn’t connected with the day-to-day running or organisation of RCG.

    Admin

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  5. On the earlier night’s intrusions, when many sheds were found open the next day, there wasn’t this damage to the locks or hedge. So this says to me that the incidents were by different people, maybe with different aims?

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  6. I tried to exit by the top gate this morning and found the bolt sleeve was jammed in position by a screw which I couldn’t dislodge…so impossible to draw the bolt back. Could this be sabotage or an attempt to prevent outsiders from entering the allotments? Please could someone remove the screw to allow legitimate keyholders to enter? Many thanks Kate

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    1. Hi Kate,

      The sleeve had been intentionally fixed in the raised position to enable people carrying things to open the gate without having to put them down (to use more than one hand.) It’s been like that for months now, and far more convenient.

      However if it’s been further tampered with, then this might cause the issue that you report. If this keeps happening then we’ll get the sleeve removed altogether.

      Incidentally, I think that most people refer to that gate as the “bottom” one (it’s further south on a map, it’s lower in elevation, and it’s further down the Taff than the one at the Western Avenue end, the “top” one!)

      Update: the gate seems to work exactly as intended on inspection. There’s no need at all for anyone to alter the arrangement. We’ll send you a video Kate.

      Here it is on PPA FB

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