PENSIONERS have told of their fear that their allotments will be targeted again after two large-scale break-ins in ten months.

Thieves have targeted the Moorgreen Road allotments in West End for the second time burgling sheds and taking tools and electrical items.

The latest thieving spree comes after more than 20 sheds were targeted last December. Now police are looking at whether they are linked.

In the latest incidents, thieves broke the locks and got into sheds taking items from three – two petrol rotivators, a strimmer and a lawnmower.

Allotment holders told how they were worried about leaving their tools and believed many people would now give up their plot on the allotment, which is run by West End Parish Council.

Green-fingered Mike Carr was one of the victims who had his shed broken in to. The 76-year-old was also a victim in December when the thieves took an £800 rotivator and £180 strimmer from him, though this time nothing was taken.

He has never been able to afford to replace the tools he lost so faces digging his allotment by hand.

Last December he told how 24 sheds were broken into with property stolen from three, though police could only confirm five break-ins.

“Everybody’s concerned, but what can you do about it?” said retired engineer Mr Carr, from West End.

“My neighbour has given his up because this is happening, he said it’s not worth the stress.

“Next time they might just help themselves to a few vegetables – is it worth me growing them so they can pinch them?”

One victim, who had had a triple bypass operation, has had to replace his tools because otherwise he cannot do the work, he said.

Retired couple Al, 80, and Jo Sherwood, 76, from Townhill Park, had a rotivator and a strimmer stolen four months ago.

Al said: “It makes you want to pack it in and I have been here nearly 40 years. You can’t afford to keep paying money out for new gear.”

Allotment holder James Hunt, 78 (below), retired, from Chapel Road, West End, said: “It’s unfortunate because some people will just pack up now. It’s too much for them. Everybody looks after everybody else and keeps an eye out but you can’t stop people getting in.”

Daily Echo:

Police want the public to be vigilant and report if they are offered any similar items.

They also want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious around the time of the theft, which happened overnight between September 23 and 24.

• Call PC Hutchison at Hedge End police on 101.