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Someone is turning on our outside tap

332 replies

SpacePug · 07/07/2020 10:24

I think someone is coming into our back garden. Today and Sunday morning , the garden tap has been turned on and the hose adaptor pulled off so it is spraying on the floor until we notice.
On Sunday I thought that we had left it turned on (with the hose attached we wouldn't know ) as the hose and adaptor were on the floor nearby and maybe the pressure made it come off. But its happened again and I know for sure we have not turned the tap on, and the adaptor seems to be missing.

What's going on?! We have had a new fence and gate recently so it is high and sturdy. The only other way someone could get in is via next doors garden, then climbing on things to get over that lower fence Confused

We have known of 2 occasions in the past (we have lived here a year) where someone has 100% been in the garden because the plastic shed lid was left up. But we had our old rickety fence and broken gate back then. Someone kicked it in we think as it was hanging off anyway so we had no gate for a couple of weeks. We haven't had that problem since getting the new fence up as they wouldn't be able to get in now. (There was a footprint on the gate when we first had it put up, so some one tried to kick it down, but had nothing of the sort for a few months.
We also put up security lights In that area.
Next step, we will get a camera! Why would someone do this?

OP posts:
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9
Worstemailever · 07/07/2020 14:25

Of course, there is a very very slight chance that you have a weak tap and surges of water pressure. In which case, you'll need to replace it with one of these!!

Someone is turning on our outside tap
Worstemailever · 07/07/2020 14:30

Or one of these. Which may be better as it comes with a little matching fox bowl, perfect for popping a creme egg or a pair of car keys in.

Someone is turning on our outside tap
Someone is turning on our outside tap
Notwiththeseknees · 07/07/2020 14:47

Could be badgers? They like lemon squash, but Robinson's, not that knock off stuff. And a Jaffa cake please.

lifesalongsong · 07/07/2020 14:52

@Notwiththeseknees

Could be badgers? They like lemon squash, but Robinson's, not that knock off stuff. And a Jaffa cake please.
Hmm, I think it depends on where you live, my local badgers have told me in no uncertain terms that they prefer orange squash and custard creams.
EatsShootsAndRuns · 07/07/2020 15:09

@Worstemailever

perfect for popping a creme egg or a pair of car keys in

Brilliant. Could leave a camp bed with duvet and pillows next to it. With a menu card for breakfast preferences: white or wholemeal toast, poached egg or fried egg... Grin

starfishmummy · 07/07/2020 16:10

@SirGawain

I wouldn’t put a tap lock on in case it was a homeless person needing a drink but obviously completely understand why you are creeped out by someone coming into your garden. In that case OP shoud leave a ham sandwich out as well in case they are hungry.
But what if the homeless person is vegan? Or has food allergies. Maybe leave a few carrots and a menu plus pencil so they can select something for the following night? Grin
Giggorata · 07/07/2020 16:26

@YorkieTheRabbit

I have friends who had their hosepipe pushed through the letterbox, and the tap turned on Shock they were away for a few days. It caused terrible damage.
Much as I hate to drag this thread back into anything approaching seriousness, I just read this and went wtf? Honestly, some people are total bastards. I'll be putting the hose in the shed when I go away now...
Redhair23 · 07/07/2020 16:34

@LeatherFlanny I would SO love to see a video of that- what a clever fox!

Alexandernevermind · 07/07/2020 16:35

@Handsoffisback I loved your comments, I'm now trying to get composure before my customer arrives. X

RandomUser3049 · 07/07/2020 16:51

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

RandomUser3049 · 07/07/2020 16:55

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Chasingsquirrels · 07/07/2020 16:58

Can you turn the out side tap water off from the inside?
Both of mine have levers inside the house where the water goes out through the wall to turn it off, to avoid burst pipes etc.
Would at least stop water running.

thesedaysarescary · 07/07/2020 17:01

I caught a window cleaner climbing over my fence to use the outside tap, he wasn't even my window cleaner! I turn the water off inside now until we want to use it.

EatsShootsAndRuns · 07/07/2020 17:04

@Handsoffisback gave us a laugh. Grin Hope you feel more yourself soon. Flowers

FunTimes2020 · 07/07/2020 17:16

@Handsoffisback

I have just read back what I wrote earlier and honestly what was I thinking?! I’m very very tired everyone this is my excuse Grin
Ah bless you! Sorry for being a meanie upthread! You sound lovely, coming back to this thread like you have Flowers Grin
RandomUser3049 · 07/07/2020 17:32

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

RandomUser3049 · 07/07/2020 17:32

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

JingsMahBucket · 07/07/2020 18:28

@Ohffs66

I would absolutely love it if I had a family of foxes using our outside tap for a drink! I'd probably put sone nice fox biscuits out for them too and some little sun loungers for them to get comfy.
This is an adorable mental image. The sun loungers made me squee internally.
StopChelping · 07/07/2020 19:15

Well it wasn’t me. I know this because I need one of these to open marmalade.

However, the thought of a nap in a nice garden watching super intelligent baby foxes with miracle thumbs, followed by poached egg on sourdough toast is quite appealing.

I’ll keep an eye on your tap. Do you provide Pimms when it’s sunny?

StopChelping · 07/07/2020 19:16

These. I need these before I can do jars and taps.

Unless I can ask the baby foxes.

Someone is turning on our outside tap
SpacePug · 07/07/2020 19:54

I really really hope it turns out to be a fox or a cat with opposable thumbs getting themself a drink because that would be adorable and I wouldn't even be mad 😂

OP posts:
SpacePug · 07/07/2020 19:54

We can't turn the water off from it from the inside I don't think, I'm not sure about removing the twisty thingy 🤔

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 07/07/2020 20:00

Love this thread Grin

Flamingolingo · 07/07/2020 20:14

We unscrew the top of our tap to stop the kids messing around and wasting water.

UncleShady · 07/07/2020 20:33

Having had a litter of foxes growing up in our garden do not underestimate the amount of mischief they can get into.

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