Who is walking past my house at 3am?

[dottydally]

So having exhausted all of our own theories, I wonder if MN has any good ideas.

About 6 weeks ago I bought a Ring doorbell. I'm expecting a baby in a few weeks and I'm already excited about knowing whether it's worth getting up to answer the door.

The strange bit, though, is that since having the doorbell I've noticed that someone keeps walking past my house at 3:25am. I live at the end of a cul-de-sac so it's not a through road. Theres a green out of the front of my house which separates the path running along the front of me/my neighbours and the roadway. The mystery walker is always wearing a high-vis jacket and only usually walks one way (into the dead end). It is always bang on 3:25am.

I am the last house on my row and I've already spoken to the house in the very end of the cul-de-sac and it's not them.

I wondered about the milkman but I know he comes about 5:15 as he often meets my other half.

It's not every day, but averages 3 times per week. Not always the same day.

The most recent time the camera caught them was 3:15am yesterday morning. They were 10 minutes early and this time walked both ways past my house, with a torch shining on the floor as they walked back. There is approx 20 seconds between them walking past the first and second time.

So, wise MN, any good ideas? Or am I going to have to camp out at my window from 3am tomorrow in the hope of seeing them?!

Hmm...if it were him walking one way only then I'd assume it was someone on the way to work. Plenty of men set off at that time. The hi vis jacket shows he;s not trying to hide.

It could be someone who is perhaps doing some kind of security check. You say he walks INTO the culdesac though? Not out of it?

Are there any other houses he could be heading for? Apart from the one you've spoken to?

Intriguing but I would assume he's not scoping our houses to burgle if he's wearing a hi vis. On his way to work and the time he walked both ways he turned back cos he'd forgotten something?

I can't picture this. Is there any sort of cut through for pedestrians? He must be getting out of the cul-de-sac somehow if you've only seen him come back once, he's not leaning against a fence for hours (surely?)

Also OP can you draw us a diagram? www.autodraw.com/ this is easy to use.

If it’s not a resident, could it be someone taking a cheeky shortcut through someone’s garden on their way to/from work?

So he's walking into the cul de sac. Is the cul de sac a dead end?

Years ago my parents had somebody using their garden as a short cut in the early hours of the morning. They only found out because a neighbour noticed. They put up a side gate and it stopped.

My theory is that someone is walking through the gardens at the end of the cul de sac as a short cut. One morning the way was blocked, perhaps by a gate being locked, so they cam back again.

A diagram would help ….

I’m sure there’s a completely reasonable explanation but I wouldn’t be completely reassured by a hi-vis either.

Everyone always assumes that anyone in a hi vis is legit. Which is convenient if you do happen to be up to no good.

Somebody walking their dog before/after they finish work (shift worker).

The hi-viz is because they're being safety conscious and can be seen by cars

Could it be a neighbours partner/boyfriend coming to stay at theirs after work ?

One of the neighbours is having an affair with hi vis man.

It could be a water board official. They quite often send out teams to listen for leaks on the network that aren't yet visible above ground.

Sounds a bit strange . I would be suspicious and getting the OH to camp out so you can rest . Also ring doorbell a good purchase with new baby !

If it’s a cul-de-sac I’m assuming it has a “banjo” at the bottom and you’re in the banjo bit?

So maybe the reason you normally only see him go one way (coming in) is that he walks right around and goes back on the opposite pavement? Is the far pavement within range?

In range of the doorbell sensor, I mean?

The Hatton Garden robbers wore hi viz jackets.

It seems like someone going to work to me. Going through an alley or garden to leave.
The time he came back shining a torch I would assume he lost something.

Very bizarre. The high vis wouldn't put me off thinking it was sinister at all, just makes it easier for them to say they mean no harm as they're wearing a high vis if anyone challenged them.

You need to send your OH out tonight to skulk your and down the opposite pavement. Maybe someone taking a brisk constitutional around the circle will only trigger the camera from the nearest path.

Also, not to be stress or anything OP, but DIAGRAM PLEASE!!!

Shamelessly place marking for the diagram

Have you checked for cut-throughs, seems the obvious one?

How about setting your alarm so you can actually watch what he does/where he goes? It would put your mind at rest.

I think I'd have to.

So many things it could be that wouldn't occur to anyone. Do you know all the residents to know that this may be his destination some nights of the week to stay with a gf or something?

But if he is ‘up to no good’ why is he doing it so frequently?

Once or perhaps twice I would agree it is dodgy but so often is more likely to be someone going to work and taking a sneaky short cut across gardens.

Also, do a diagram with his direction and length of travel.

I won't be winning any diagram prizes but here you go! The neighbours with a * are the ones I've spoken to.