Someone has cut my hedge

[MeltingSugs]

I got home yesterday to find that half of my hedge has been cut

For context, the garden has needed a tremendous amount of work here. I do not proclaim to be a super gardener, but the hedge has improved a lot since we've been here with the right pruning - I am always out in the garden. This year, I have been letting the top of it grow up to even out the height ready for cutting in the autumn. To get home and find (half) of the top of it has been cut right back, and wonky, has made me quite cross.

Neighbour on the opposite side has no idea what's happened, neighbour on the side with the hedge is (so far) ignoring my text.

So as not to drip feed, the hedge is entirely on my land, it is not 'on the boundary' and therefore on my neighbour's land. The half that has been cut actually protrudes into my garden as it grew wonky, meaning my neighbour has some of my front garden. Prizes for guessing how long it's going to stay like that now!

Providing it is the neighbour, how do I be firm but fair in discussing this with them? I want to make it very clear that they are not to do anything on my property ever, but I don't want to fall out. This neighbour has told me that they felt out with the people who lived in our house before us. I think the friendship is definitely dented now though

This is outrageous. Beyond CF behaviour and definitely criminal.

Madness. I removed my own fence and still told neighbours both side what was happening and discussed works so as not to piss them off. Wtaf does that!
It's trespass and criminal damage you could report them to the police etc of you so wished.

What sort of hedge is it?

I believe it’s of the common penis variety.

I wonder what excuse they could possibly come up with to make this acceptable

Wow! They made a real mess of it.

I'd stick with a bollocking for now and let them know if they touch it again, you'll be contacting the police. Doesn't matter if it's actually possible or not. Hopefully it will warn them off.

Come on OP I’m at work and need a CF distraction!

What arseholes they must be to leave it in that state.

I would tell them they pay a professional to come in and level it up or you will be going to the police.

*When you can trim hedges or trees
You can trim branches or roots that cross into your property from a neighbour’s property or a public road.

You can only trim up to the property boundary. If you do more than this, your neighbour could take you to court for damaging their property.

If you live in a conservation area, or the trees in the hedge are protected by a ‘tree preservation order’, you might need your council’s permission to trim them.*

From

www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes/high-hedges-trees-and-boundaries

I’m so glad I have sane-ish neighbours!

www.hedgeline.org/

Is it the neighbours in the house down the road in the picture? It looks as though its been cut where it blocks their view.

pic added

I do actually live in a conservation area. People don't tend to seek permission for most things. I did apply for planning permission to cut t greengage tree down, which was granted.

Most of the hedge is privet. In terms of feeling like I have no comeback, I am presuming the police won't care. I can't prove financial loss or anything.

I went to nextdoor first. Ended up talking to her through the living room window as she couldn't find her key. Long story short, apparently this randomer down the road she is friends with offered to help her trim her silver birches with her handsfree cutter, and said 'shall I cut the other side of the hedge at the same time?' and my neighbour said alright then may as well cut both sides. Except they haven't cut the sides, they've cut the top

Anyway...she wanted to do her birches so she can list her house for sale (I knew she was considering this). Basically says she didn't think, she is upset that I am upset and she is also upset because she realised there were baby birds in there once they had done most of it. No shit Sherlock...hence why I had been leaving it until autumn. I left it that she is not to come on my property ever, not even to knock on my door, let alone touch my hedge. She is to text me if she needs to talk to me about something but still, she must stay off my property. I did say that I don't want to fall out, but this has upset me and I need time to try and get over it. She offered to buy me some shrubs and I said no, probably going to get rid of the hedge now because I can't bear to grow it up for another two years when some CFer will probably hack it down again.

She also said the randomer down the road is off work with stress and seemed concerned at my plan to go and knock on her door. I said that she shouldn't behave as she does if she's not prepared to be confronted over it.

I also mentioned the phrase criminal damage a few times. Neighbour said her DM came by after it was done and said they should not have done it and that it looked a right state but had been doing really well before. Will do randomer update in next post when I've made a cuppa.

Read the full thread now. Definitely upload to youtube op.

Long story short, apparently this randomer down the road she is friends with offered to help her trim her silver birches with her handsfree cutter, and said 'shall I cut the other side of the hedge at the same time?' and my neighbour said alright then may as well cut both sides. Except they haven't cut the sides, they've cut the top

Did the neighbor give permission for the randomer to cut both sides of your hedge, I.e the side in your garden???

Did the randomer come in to your garden to cut the hedge?

So the cunts killed off the baby birds as well?

Do they have pets you can shave a swear word into their fur? Obviously I'm joking but it's as batshit as breaking into a neighbours house and cutting their hair while they were sleeping. Well maybe not the same .

she is also upset because she realised there were baby birds in there once they had done most of it.

The stupid fucking cow .

What a CF.
I'd be demanding they sort the rest out so it's all even. Why did they think that was a good idea?!

Bloody hell!

Why does the OP need to upload to YouTube ?

Cutting hedges at this time of the year could also potentially amount to an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
“You mention that the hedge was a haven for wildlife, Mr Bagwell said. “It is an offence to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. It will be an intentional act if your neighbour knew that there was an active nest in the hedge and he has now damaged it.”

From

www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/11534634/My-neighbour-trespassed-and-cut-down-my-hedge.-What-can-I-do.html

@ChardonnaysPrettySister neighbour hopes they'll be OK. Apparently she found a nest in her silver birch too and felt bad about that.

@ElizaDee neighbour reckons randomer asked whether to cut both sides and neighbour said yes, effectively giving permission to go on my land. Randomer then entered my garden and hacked at my hedge.

I went and spoke to randomer also. When she opened the door I said I am from number __ and wondered if you could talk to me about my hedge' and she said 'what about your hedge' so I said 'I've got CCTV footage of you cutting it and being on my property to do so' and she said 'nextdoor neighbour's name! Nextdoor neighbour's name'! I'm friends with nextdoor neighbour's name'. So I said my hedge is nothing to do with nextdoor neighbour, it's my land and I have not consented to anybody going onto it let alone damaging my property'.

She then kept raising her voice telling me the nextdoor neighbour told her to do it, which isn't what the neighbour told me. Turned it into 'I thought I was helping a friend out' and I said well maybe think again because even if someone tells you to damage someone's private property, if you do it, you're the one on the wrong side of the law. I then said don't so much as step foot on my driveway again she she had said sorry a few times but I don't think she gave a shit if I am honest.

Couple of people down the road have since told me she's a home wrecker who tries to interfere where she's not wanted quite often.

Have had two texts from next door neighbour since I've been home but I haven't replied.

Couldn’t find her key? Right. What happens if there’s a fire! Afraid of you more like. Sorry this happened OP. I had a neighbour do a similar brazilian to my hedge. I had to install a fence because it would have taken years to grow. 🤬