To want to have the 'scrapman' arrested for theft?

[fanbloodytastic]

Apologies my first proper thread is an AIBU but this really got my goat today!

We have a skip parked on our drive as we are doing some fairly big work to the house and it is filled with all sorts.. old beds, carpets, wardrobes, wallpaper, old shed etc etc

A few days ago I noticed a scrapman driving around and went outside to ask him if he wanted anything from the skip... there were a few bits I knew he would take ad it would give me abit more room to chuck stuff in before we had to order another one. He took a load o stuff all was good.

Today I am out in the back garden doing some stuff when I mentioned to OH that I needed to help putting something in the skip and as an after thought said 'Oh I forgot there's no room, Is there?'. He then informed that another (definitely not the one from the other day) scrapman had not long since been through the skip and taken a load of things so there was room. I said that it was lucky and hubby replied 'yeah I went out front about half an hour ago and he was just going through it'.

He hadn't knocked on my door, didn't even acknowledge hubby when he went out or anything. Just pulled up and started stealing bits from my skip. Now I know I'm not wanting it and I would happily have let him have whatever he wanted but I am really annoyed that he didn't ask. The skip is parked ON my drive with the gates closed in front of it, which he had to open and walk about 10' into my garden to get to.

I was going mental and OH says I'm being a bit of a knob about it...which I suspect I probably am but a lack of manners and courtesy really really grates on me! It was my bloody stuff he should have asked first!

AIBU??

YANBU but then I'm not a fan of scrap men! He shouldn't have come on your property without asking or announcing himself - even if it had been the same man as last time or his friend.

We had someone come onto our property and remove a brand new chest freezer. We used to keep it in the seperate garage and it had just been delivered and we'd not had chance to swap them over. It was a lot of money to us then and we weren't able to replace it for years afterwards.

There are about three or four (Dad pointed out the different bugle calls) that come around here, sometimes more than one a day! We've had the police do a door to door about them because one of them went onto someone's property to remove copper pipes IIRC.

I would not mind anyone taking it, if they asked first, or if it was on the curb. However, trespassing onto your property and taking it seems like stealing. I would not like anyone to open my gates and come onto my property without permission. Quite nervy!

It would serve them right if you had a guard dog.
They could probably be charged with trespassing, but I wouldn't bother. You may want to lock your gates while you have the skip there.

YAN really BU.

Some bastard scrap man came into our garden last week and took the steel tubular legs from my folding camping table. Thieving swine.

Next time you watch "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" and wonder where the money comes from remember this thread. Lots of travellers are in the scrap metal business - good money to be made.

Probably he was BU, I don't know - should have asked first so YANBU.

Although this happens a lot and to some it seems trivial - you must be wary.

Last year I was in my office. We were having building work done and lots of deliveries - so I didn't think twice when I saw a guy arrive. He rang my doorbell and then went around the side of the house, looking in all the windows. We had two radiators we had taken out - tucked right up the drive.

I went down to see him piling the radiators on the back of his truck. I ran out, waving my arms. He drove away quickly but not before I got his registration. Ten minutes later two more men turned up and I was really cross by now - I suspect they were his mates coming back for something else to steal.

I did report it - I didn't like him looking in all the windows or the other men turning up. The police intervewed him and thanked me for the information.

There is now a dedicated number of police dealing with metal theft. There is lead stripped off roofs, road signs etc.

This man was a professional burglar, not simply a scrap metal dealer. It really is not wise to let them onto your property. They drive around looking for opportunity. I certainly learnt a lot, talking to the policeman. He took it seriously...