Bristol council's U-turn over advice not to lock allotment sheds

Bristol City Council is now insisting that gardeners should padlock their allotment sheds – instead of leaving them open for thieves.

In a move branded a "victory for common sense", council officials have reviewed their position on shed security and decided it would be best to lock them after all.

The U-turn comes after the Bristol Evening Post revealed how allotment holders were sent letters warning them not to use padlocks – to stop council-owned sheds from being damaged during break-ins.

Residents who tend allotments in Bifield Road, Stockwood, were left baffled by the 'Don't Use A Padlock' guide, which was contrary to police advice.

One in four burglaries in Bristol happen because people leave doors and windows open or unlocked, police said.

Police say that all sheds should be locked with padlocks and suggest using a cheap battery-powered shed alarms to keep property safe.

A council statement said: "Following recent publicity on the issue of site security and sheds on allotment sites, we have reviewed our position with regard to the advice on securing sheds.

"We recommend that sheds should be secured in line with advice given by Avon and Somerset police.

"Please note, however, that this cannot guarantee 100 per cent security on allotments."

But previous advice had been just the opposite.

Letters originally sent out to residents stated: "Don't padlock your shed, it can save the shed being damaged if someone does try to get into it."

Resident Terry Nichols, 71, who has had an allotment at the back of his house in Bifield Road, Stockwood, for more than 25 years, welcomed the move.

His shed was broken into last month.

"I was ignoring their advice not to padlock my shed, anyway," he said.

"It was bonkers and I can't imagine why it's taken this long for them to backtrack."

The engineering consultant, who has grown potatoes, runner beans, onions, lettuces and beetroot on his allotment this year, added: "This is a victory for commonsense thinking."

Police advise all gardeners to secure sheds with good-quality padlocks. All fixing should be attached with coach bolts and security screws.

Battery-powered shed alarms are available from DIY stores.