An expansion of the Neighbourhood Watch model specifically for the issues around Allotment sites.
When: 2022. Ongoing
Partners: VANEL. Police Neighbourhood Teams. Allotment Site Associations.
Technically there are no Allotment sites within the Big Local North Cleethorpes area of focus. However, there are two every different Allotment sites just adjacent to the area that draw in residents from our North Cleethorpes area and essentially connect to the communities that Big Local aims to support.
Carr Lane Allotments is a huge, Council run site that borders the back of Sidney Sussex Ward and Beacon Hill Allotments is a privately run site within Croft Baker also close to our ‘border’.
The Allotment Watch programme is run by VANEL as part of their support for Neighbourhood Watch and Allotment Watch was created and is managed by Karl Elliott who was also the Big Local Development Worker. Both sites formally signed up as Allotment Watch sites in 2022.
Allotment Watch provides signage to sites to deter criminal behaviour on site. Through Allotment Watch plotholders are provided with additional useful information and advice; a better connection to the Police; some access to security equipment that might help them stay safe.
Most of the initiative for Allotment Watch has been led from VANEL but Big Local North Cleethorpes has provided meeting space and additional volunteer resources since the programme started. And as many of the plotholders on the two sites are from North Cleethorpes, the initiative has contributed to the overall safety of residents in our area.
As well as signing two sites up as Allotment Watch, Karl and VANEL have provided a range of support on the two sites which benefit our community:
– Supported Beacon Hill with funding and the development of their community Polytunnel space (referral to Green Links funding)
– Delivered scams talk to plotholders on Beacon Hill site
– Supported WeAreFish to develop community plots on Carr Lane site
– VANEL obtained a grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner which helped provide expensive camera systems on Beacon Hill site as an experiment in technological crime prevention.
– Further support and encouragement allowed Beacon Hill to get a further PCC grant in 2024 for yet more security cameras
– Ongoing support for the community gardens on Carr Lane (including funding for a shed and funding for Green Influencers group on site.
– VANEL and Big Local North Cleethorpes have an ongoing relationship with the two allotments which remain Allotment Watch sites in 2025.
Further information
Allotment Watch is an ongoing project from VANEL. Find out more here: https://nelwatch.org.uk/neighbourhood-watch/allotment-watch/
For Carr Lane Allotments information contact NELC.
For Beacon Hill Allotments information contact the Beacon Hill Allotments Association direct via info on the NELC website.
