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CF Stole my hedge

492 replies

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 18:09

We live in a naice part of London which thinks it’s the countryside but is actually just a green suburb. To the side and front of my property is our hedge. It’s a mix hedge; Holly, Ivy and other trees. Our Holly has been very good this autumn and we have lots of red berries. I make a door wreath for my front door each Christmas, and I usually forage from my own hedge to make my wreath. So far this year I haven’t gotten around to it but was hoping to make my wreath this weekend.

Well, I returned this afternoon and there was a lady stood on my driveway with a large blue IKEA bag in one hand and a pair of pruners in the other, helping herself to my holly.

I politely challenged her, but she didn’t seem to think that she was doing anything wrong helping herself to my Holly in my hedge. Infact when I protested that I was going to make my own wreath with my own Holly she told me she had a business making Christmas wreaths and usually only made 10 a season despite huge demand because she simply doesn’t have the time but was willing to make a professional wreath for me using my own Holly and charge me £85. I, less politely this time, declined her offer for a professional wreath and asked for my Holly back. She refused and accused me of being bitter and uncharitable.

OP posts:
rockstep · 06/12/2024 18:58

OldJohn · 06/12/2024 18:22

As the thief was still at the scene a quick response from the police would have her apprehended and charged. If she still had the secateurs and the holly that is adequate proof that she intended to steal.
If catching a thief is not the police’s job I’m not sure what their job is.

That’s right, it’s a police problem, naturally 🙄

SatansBobbleheadedDashboardOrnament · 06/12/2024 18:56

Unfortunately I believe this. We used to rent on a posh estate and you got so many people coming round claiming the owner would let them pick foliage. Pruners and entitlement always present.

civetcat · 06/12/2024 18:55

If you post on Nextdoor/local FB, warn people to be careful when buying £85+ wreaths as they may be receiving stolen goods

adriftinadenofvipers · 06/12/2024 18:52

pictoosh · 06/12/2024 18:44

CF definitely, but don't be in a rage over some hedge clippings. Enjoy your weekend instead. Wreath making sounds great.

I'd be incandescent personally if I found someone literally stealing my holly!! How dare she? Common thief! What if she comes back to finish the job?

I'm sure wreath making is great if you don't have to steal the raw materials!!

@12FreeRangeEggs would any of you neighbours have caught her a a Ring camera or something?

ObsidianTree · 06/12/2024 18:49

Make you sure cut the rest of the holly off incase she tries to come back for more!

NewNameNoelle · 06/12/2024 18:46

Oh I’d be hunting her down and spending most of the night planning elaborate ways in which is take revenge.

And then when I’ve found her I’d do none of those things and probably ask her again for my holly back, or offer send her an invoice and I’d stew over leaving a well written and politely scathing review

Mostlyoblivious · 06/12/2024 18:46

Yeah she sounds awful. Can you enhance a still image from the cctv? Then post on your local neighbourhood socials asking who the brazen holly grinch is

Girlwithapple · 06/12/2024 18:45

CF indeed!! We have a conifer hedge which a neighbour takes cuttings for at Christmas (with our permission) to make wreaths. In addition to the wreaths he sells he gives us a lovely wreath, made from our hedge, for a total of £0. £85 indeed!!!

pictoosh · 06/12/2024 18:44

CF definitely, but don't be in a rage over some hedge clippings. Enjoy your weekend instead. Wreath making sounds great.

Iceache · 06/12/2024 18:43

Google reviews are your best friend if you can find her!

CoraPirbright · 06/12/2024 18:41

Totally find her and then out her on SM as a thieving bitch.

titchy · 06/12/2024 18:41

Send her an invoice.

FayCarew · 06/12/2024 18:40

Report it on Nextdoor and the local Faceache group

Namechange5555555555 · 06/12/2024 18:40

Wtf. Cheeekkky bitch

FlyingLemur · 06/12/2024 18:38

FlangeSprocket · 06/12/2024 18:32

Can you do a bit of sleuthing and find her through her overpriced wreath making business. At £85+ she shouldn't be too hard to find?

This is what I would do, and then I would also post about what she’s done and shame her business all over social media.

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 18:34

FlangeSprocket · 06/12/2024 18:32

Can you do a bit of sleuthing and find her through her overpriced wreath making business. At £85+ she shouldn't be too hard to find?

Oooo great idea

OP posts:
12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 18:32

Mostlyoblivious · 06/12/2024 18:27

Oh wow!

She was seriously on your drive taking your bush..!?!!

It’s a pity you didn’t get her details and then leave a review as to how much her materials cost…

She has clearly trimmed from the front of the hedge by standing in the road but was stood about 2 feet onto our drive to trim the best bush which is on the edge, when I pulled into our driveway.
Had a look at CCTV and she isn’t really covered well because it was dusk and the camera covers the main part of the driveway to protect against car theft rather than bush theft

OP posts:
FlangeSprocket · 06/12/2024 18:32

Can you do a bit of sleuthing and find her through her overpriced wreath making business. At £85+ she shouldn't be too hard to find?

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 18:28

No, no picture. It all happened too quickly. Now I am incandescent with rage thinking of all the things I should have said and done in the moment but failed to do. Furious with her and myself for not being quicker off the mark

OP posts:
Flossflower · 06/12/2024 18:28

Take down the holly you need for your wreath now in case she comes back.

Mostlyoblivious · 06/12/2024 18:27

Oh wow!

She was seriously on your drive taking your bush..!?!!

It’s a pity you didn’t get her details and then leave a review as to how much her materials cost…

DemonicCaveMaggot · 06/12/2024 18:26

Can you report that to the police as criminal trespass?

MJMJMJMJ · 06/12/2024 18:26

Ring Mrs Marple get her on the case!

TunnocksOrDeath · 06/12/2024 18:24

Criminal damage and theft? Did you get a picture? Or contact details for her business? Shouldn't be hard to find if she's local.

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 18:24

She left with the Holly and me shouting “excuse me, that’s my holly”. Her argument for not turning over the Holly was that she had foraged a lot from the neighbouring common and wooded area and she didn’t know what was mine and what was from the common.

OP posts: