WITH regard to the introduction of the allotment watch scheme at Scarcroft allotments (November 3), crime, such as theft, arson, criminal damage to sheds and greenhouses, increases each month on this site.

It would appear the allotments are a soft target. Only one case has been reported of an arrest and convictions on the this site in the past ten years.

Your article mentions that shed alarms are to go on sale by the association, but there is a difference between Scarcroft allotments and a normal dwelling house. Who will respond to these signals transmitted? And who will turn them off?

A security camera would be more practical. Something that PC David White of the community police has advocated for a long time now.

Doug Barnes,

Anne Street, York.

Updated: 10:38 Wednesday, November 12, 2003