Regular thefts from Cedars Court Allotments in Great Cambridge Road have been going on since 2022, reports Clara Aberneithie

Food growing (credit David Hughes via Unsplash) and (inset) the suspect captured on CCTV

Police and plot holders are appealing for help identifying a man seen stealing fruit and vegetables from an allotment site in Edmonton.

The food growers claim that the thefts from Cedars Court Allotments in Great Cambridge Road have been going on since 2022 – and that they have captured video evidence of a man removing plants from plots. All the videos appear to show the same man (pictured above).

Nev Khan, a local resident and allotment user of 16 years, told the Dispatch: “We brought in solar-panel charged cameras, putting up six in the plot.

“Each time we get a video, we see the same face popping up – it doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, it’s the same person every time.

“I think he goes to little markets and re-sells them […] It is too much to eat personally.

“I am a single mum with a 15-year-old son which means that during the summer, I go either very early or very late in the day to water my plants. But I am scared.”

The allotment users say they have reported the issue to Enfield Council multiple times and asked that the rails by raised and/or CCTV cameras be installed to deter the theft.

But, Nev said: “They have given it no consideration at all, they just collect the rent. They don’t care about anything.”

For Enfield residents, renting a ‘Grade A’ plot of 250 square metres from September onwards costs £210, an increase of £26 from last year.

Sabri Ozaydin, the council’s cabinet member for climate action and placemaking, said: “We take security on our allotments seriously, but it is difficult to completely stop thefts from allotments, especially when the main gates to allotment sites are left open.

“We are looking into installing CCTV and securing money to improve security, but our budget is limited.

“Regarding the yearly cost of allotments, prices are going up because of inflation and higher running costs.”

In a statement, the Met Police said: “Police are investigating a series of thefts at Cedars Court Allotments in Edmonton.

“Officers continue to make enquiries, including examining CCTV footage from the area and speaking with local residents.

“We are liaising directly with the allotment owners to keep them updated on our investigation.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call 101, quoting 01/7705615/25, or email [email protected].

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.