A recent attack on the Eastlands allotment shop saw a rotivator being stolen; this equipment had been donated and gardeners made a donation to the County Air Ambulance every time they used it.

Thanks to investigations by Safer Neighbourhood Team East members the rotivator has now been returned to its rightful owners. The investigation is still on-going and, if successful, could lead to several prosecutions for theft and criminal damage at the site.

Improved security at the site has led to a decrease in reported attacks and is an excellent example of partnership working between the allotment holders, police and local agencies.

Police Community Support Officer Lauren De Wet said ‘we are very pleased that this incident has had a positive outcome, the investigation is still on-going and we believe that this sends out a message to those that would want to commit crime of this type that it will not be tolerated and that they will be dealt with in a positive manner.’