Doc Holliday Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 (edited) After having 2 baby marrows stolen from my plot I'm out to catch the thieving toe rag responsible. The main reason is because I have a good idea of who the culprit is, at least I'm hoping it's who I think it is. I went in to check on things on Monday evening and saw that one of the baby marrows had been swiped. I phoned the Mrs and asked if she had been up and picked it. She hadn't. So, that only leaves one of the other allotment holders. I checked over the other plants and bits to see if anything else had gone and all seemed to be in order. There was another small marrow coming on on one of the other plants and I thought that would be ready for the end of the week. I went in last night to check on things again to find that that had also been swiped. Now, I wouldn't begrudge anyone if they came up to me and said 'Can we do a deal...' and we could perhaps trade but to outright steal what isn't theirs is just plain out of order. I'm thinking of setting up a spy cam in the shed to catch the theiving beggar. Can anyone tell me if it's possible to set up a spy cam that doesn't run off mains power? Seeing as my plot is far removed from any source of electricity I guess my options are limited. Still, I'm goingto have a look on web to see what's about. In the meantime, if anyone can offer some recommendations as to how this can be accomplished I'd sincerely appreciate it. Edited July 20, 2012 by Doc Holliday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 The only thing I can think of is one of those "trail cameras". Trouble is they are about £150 or more to buy. They run off batteries and take colour photos or video by day and infra-red ones if the marrow-burglar comes at night. I'm sure someone here will think of a cheaper alternative, or maybe offer to hire/lend you one. Hope you catch him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibby Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 I'd go along a different route. A decoy marrow with a bit of over the counter emetic injected in to it. Gibby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 I'd go along a different route. A decoy marrow with a bit of over the counter emetic injected in to it. Gibby Decoy marrow! Ha ha! Let's hope he doesn't get a flock of wild marrows descending on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 Don't be so quick to blame otger gardeners. My dad was an allotment holder for over 35 years and held in high reguard with the other chaps and they all came to him for seedlings and problems. There was a spate of small thefts, the odd Swede or Cabbage, but eventually the local migrants found out about the allotments simply hopped the fence and damn near cleared the garden inc breaking into the greenhouses for the tomatoes and cucumbers. The police stopped a group of them with old shopping trolley full of gear. There is no way it all fit in one trolley My dad had spent over 35 years in that allotment and hand built the greenhouses and potting sheds and on that day he just lost heart. That was 6 year ago and he hasn't bothered since Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fo5ter Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 We used to get it a lot around here and still do, it's the locals. Trail cam is by far the best option. Maybe suggest it to your committee and have everyone club together and share it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiss.tony Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 bet its the polish lol some one told me other day about them nicking feed out of feed bin for phezzys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted July 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 (edited) The thing is LG, no one else has anything taken. I've asked. Ok, not all of them but certainly those I did ask have had produce growing nicely which was left alone so I doubt very much it's locals (home ones or foreigners). Plus there's a 7 foot chain link fence around the perimeter with a double row of barbed wire on top so they'd have to be pretty desperate to get in over that for a couple of poxy marrows. I know how your dad feels as it just deflates your good will toward others. Ok, I could be jumping the gun but I'd be very surpried if I was wrong hence I want to catch them in the act so I have undisputable proof to confront them with. I've found one camera with a 3 month running time, IR, motion detection, mini screen, etc. £200. Ok, a bit steep and it could be a ****** to hide it as it's not overly 'covert' although it is in a camo design. Here Edited July 20, 2012 by Doc Holliday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muggins. Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 Those who know St Marys Cottages on the Exeter Road near Dawlish in Devon will know where i`m on about. About 40 years ago my grandfather grew veg on the grass strip between the houses and the main road. He did this for god knows how many years without any problems, then suddenly bits went missing. It escalated until he`d had enough then overnight chucked it all in. Remember the days when you could leave your wallet with your lunchbox just chucked on the side at work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul87 Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 I've found one camera with a 3 month running time, IR, motion detection, mini screen, etc. £200. Ok, a bit steep and it could be a ****** to hide it as it's not overly 'covert' although it is in a camo design. Here Google "trail cam" here is a search on the shopping section http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=trail+cam&hl=en&safe=active&gbv=2&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=nFYJUK6RGMeP0AX96qDaCg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoBA Sorry I cant recommend anything but there are cheaper options. I believe you can put sim cards in some and they send you picture messages when they detect anything. Someone will be able to point you towards a good one. All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 . I'm sure someone here will think of a cheaper alternative, or maybe offer to hire/lend you one. Bear trap! Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 After having 2 baby marrows stolen from my plot I'm out to catch the thieving toe rag responsible. The main reason is because I have a good idea of who the culprit is, at least I'm hoping it's who I think it is. I went in to check on things on Monday evening and saw that one of the baby marrows had been swiped. I phoned the Mrs and asked if she had been up and picked it. She hadn't. So, that only leaves one of the other allotment holders. I checked over the other plants and bits to see if anything else had gone and all seemed to be in order. There was another small marrow coming on on one of the other plants and I thought that would be ready for the end of the week. I went in last night to check on things again to find that that had also been swiped. Now, I wouldn't begrudge anyone if they came up to me and said 'Can we do a deal...' and we could perhaps trade but to outright steal what isn't theirs is just plain out of order. I'm thinking of setting up a spy cam in the shed to catch the theiving beggar. Can anyone tell me if it's possible to set up a spy cam that doesn't run off mains power? Seeing as my plot is far removed from any source of electricity I guess my options are limited. Still, I'm goingto have a look on web to see what's about. In the meantime, if anyone can offer some recommendations as to how this can be accomplished I'd sincerely appreciate it. Just had an email from Uttings with some specials on, hope I've done the clicky link thing right. http://www.uttings.co.uk/Product/515/101995/hawke-prostalk-3mp-nature-surveillance-camera-pc3000/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Uttings+E-mail+20th+July+2012&utm_content=Uttings+E-mail+20th+July+2012+CID_3dc337252e823e1c3c5e734929638c3c&utm_source=Email+marketing+software&utm_term=Hawke+ProStalk+3MP+Nature+Surveillance+Camera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ack-ack Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 Perhaps you have slugs the size of rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 I'd go along a different route. A decoy marrow with a bit of over the counter emetic injected in to it. Gibby how about some of these.... http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_44_47&products_id=2964 Battery powered motion activated wildlife cams would be a good idea if pricey for the value of a marrow, alarm mines are more "fun" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 If you already have a video camera, what about a car charger and some ingenuity with a car battery, some speaker cable and a lighter socket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikky Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 when we were kids my brother nicked a bar of bourneville chocolate out of my school bag...i bought a bar of laxative chocolate swopped the wrappers ...he took the bait and spent the next 2 days on the bog mikky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx10mike Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 watch rambo and then predator,you will learn how to set some usefull traps.don't forget to tell the good lady about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted July 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 Perhaps you have slugs the size of rabbits. I think I would have noticed any extraordinary large slime trails in the area, which may or may not be down to slugs the size of rabbits... or women without legs. As the old joke goes, why do women have legs? You've seen the mess slugs leave behind, right? Well, I emialed the council to report it and ask what their stance on such matters was. As predicted their response was not one of concern. I have had a look at setting up such a device with car battery, charger, camera, etc., but it could work out to about the same cost as the Spy hunter camera set up. The only problem with the latter is that it is just so bulky. Thanks for links and offers guys. Will have a look and let you know. ATB, Doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 Some one perhaps huffhuff was looking at supplying them direct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 yes the hufhuf trail cams are spot on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy bingo Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 if you record the marrow thief don,t forget to post the results for us all to see a short video would be great you little columbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 watch rambo and then predator,you will learn how to set some usefull traps.don't forget to tell the good lady about them. "Go on....... do it........ what are you waiting for......... Kill me"...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hushpower Posted July 22, 2012 Report Share Posted July 22, 2012 Trip wires with BLANK cartridges, or trail cam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikky Posted July 29, 2012 Report Share Posted July 29, 2012 :lol: mikky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolhead Posted July 29, 2012 Report Share Posted July 29, 2012 (edited) Automotive CCTV / DVR and a leisure battery. Motion sensitive, day/night and on a budget. Edited July 29, 2012 by Coolhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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