One of our female members recently reported that her car had been broken into whilst she was working on her allotment. The car, which had been parked on Old Coach Road had had it’s windows smashed in order to gain entry. She stated that she had heard that a group of youths in the area had been on the lookout for lone women leaving vehicle without a handbag, presuming that this had been left in their car they then break in hoping to steal valuables. Following on from this she now felt that her own personal security might be at risk when working alone on her plot. She has asked that we reiterate the importance therefore of always ensuring that gates are not left unlocked when members come and go from the allotment estate. This of course is a standing rule, notwithstanding this incident. For the security , not only of people personally but of their property too all gates should therefore be locked after both entering and leaving the allotment areas.