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AIBU?

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Original poster

to worry about these weird symbols drawn on houses in our area?

68 replies

WeirdSymbols · 04/09/2017 16:16

This morning I was coming out of my back gate to walk my dogs and noticed a symbol drawn on a the wall (photos included). It is drawn in chalk and is an M inside a circle.
I started to walk down the alleyway and noticed symbols drawn next to the back gate of every house. Mostly the same M in a circle but also stars inside circles (more like a bike wheel) and some strange dashes.
I googled these types of criminal signifiers and nothing that exactly matches shows up.

I've phoned 101 who said it had already been reported and they were sending information to the local station but that they think is probably just kids messing around.

Something about it is really worrying me and I've just ordered more security lights and alarms and lights for our outbuildings.

Should I be knocking on doors? There are at least 12 houses near me with these symbols, will people think I am woo?

Does anyone know anything about this?

Name change because I discussed this with a friend earlier and I know she uses MN.

to worry about these weird symbols drawn on houses in our area?
to worry about these weird symbols drawn on houses in our area?
OP posts:
Raisinsaretoddlercrack · 04/09/2017 16:41

I'm just going to leave this here....

www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/housebreakerscode.asp

Original poster
WeirdSymbols · 04/09/2017 16:42

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11368437/Dog-theft-gangs-marking-target-houses-with-chalk-symbols.html
This is what I found.
Most of our neighbour are teachers so not back from work yet, I will knock on later and have a word.

Not an affluent area but our street is, I suppose, considered a nicer street in an "up and coming area".

OP posts:
FuzzyCustard · 04/09/2017 16:42

Can you wash it off? (That's what I'd do)

PoppyPopcorn · 04/09/2017 16:42

www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/housebreakerscode.asp

lovemylover · 04/09/2017 16:42

Just read the link posted
This particular mark might be legit,but definitely houses HAVE been marked in England,where dogs live, and sometimes even signifying what breed,or large or smal
This link is American and explains what the marks are

DJBaggySmalls · 04/09/2017 16:43

I'd photograph them, then go along and wash them off.

PoppyPopcorn · 04/09/2017 16:43

Great minds, Raisins, great minds. Grin

Original poster
WeirdSymbols · 04/09/2017 16:45

We've rubbed it off and will go along rubbing the others off this evening.
Snopes makes me feel like a fool but the dog articles do make me feel very wary.

OP posts:
laundryelf · 04/09/2017 16:47

Why not just wash it off? It's probably nothing but take a few photos for the police just in case and then wash it off.

PoppyPopcorn · 04/09/2017 16:48

Think it through logically though. If you're a dog thief, and you pass a house with a cute unattended puppy what are you going to do? You're going to take it. What you're NOT going to do is start drawing hieroglyphics on the pavement with chalk so that you can return at a later date to do what you could have done immediately.

HoldMeCloserTonyDanza · 04/09/2017 16:50

Seriously. Burglars whatsapp each other. They don't use chalk codes.

In decreasing order of likelihood:

  1. The water/electric/broadband company is marking some mysterious work that needs to be done.
  2. Some kids are messing about.
  3. Some kids are playing spies.
  4. Some kids have heard about the hobo mark urban legend, and are winding people up.

There is also a very unlikely situation where some poor person is mentally unwell, and making the marks about people they feel are watching them/need to be watched. You can find very sad videos uploaded to YouTube etc where people are convinced their postman or the neighbour walking their dog are spying on them. I think there's even a subreddit for people convinced they are being watched (and it's really tough to read because they are clearly not well). Can't for the life of me remember the name of it now.

Again though, that is not a likely explanation. It's just a tiny bit more likely than burglar chalk code. Burglars use phones!

Original poster
WeirdSymbols · 04/09/2017 16:50

Yes I'm a fool, it does make no logical sense.
I'm an anxious person and worry constantly, so something like this is sure to set me off.

OP posts:
LadyFlumpalot · 04/09/2017 16:53

Chalk markings are also used by people marking routes for runners, workmen marking where work is to be done, catalogue distributors marking where they got to and all sorts.

If you don't have a dog, racehorse or massive diamonds and your house is secure then I honestly wouldn't worry too much.

My mum had some mysterious chalk marks show up a few years ago. Actually drawn on the inside of her mini porch, which means someone had to leave the pavement, walk up her drive, turn off the drive and open a door...

Nothing ever happened, she did report it and the police suggested she keep an eye out but that it was most likely to be an Avon or Kleeneze distributor.

usernameinfinito · 04/09/2017 16:58

burglars guild 🤣🤣

nameusername · 04/09/2017 16:58

It could possibly either be a local takeaway tagging saying that they've already posted their flyer or burglary tagging which have both happened before here.

RatRolyPoly · 04/09/2017 17:00

Yeah, I'm with the others, wash 'em off.

Then forget all about it - don't wind yourself up if you're prone to worrying about such things.

Or go back and draw lovely chalk pictures of hearts and flowers in their place. Spread the love, make the world a kinder place Grin

Zaphodsotherhead · 04/09/2017 17:01

Why would you need a sign on a house to say 'this house has a dog'? Surely the cacopheny of barking and hysterical growling and yapping would be enough of a give away for any potential 'burglar' to avoid the place?

Original poster
WeirdSymbols · 04/09/2017 17:03

Alright alright!
Neighbour thinks it is because our window cleaner has his brother doing his route for him at the moment. M meaning monthly etc.

Feel like a twerp!

OP posts:
OstentatiousWanking · 04/09/2017 17:05

When Virgin installed cables in our area there were chalk marks very much like the M in the photo. Some houses had different markings. I assumed at the time the different marks were to ID properties where cable had already been installed.

chirpyburbycheapsheep · 04/09/2017 17:12

Interesting. My first thought would have been that devil worshippers were trying to open a portal for demonic entities to gain access to my house and then my soul. But I think maybe your neighbour might be right......

I am going to stop watching paranormal witness

MudCity · 04/09/2017 17:13

The dogs thing was an urban myth.

dolcezza99 · 04/09/2017 17:20

God, people are paranoid. All utter cobblers. Read snopes, you'll be wiser for it.

Emmageddon · 04/09/2017 17:20

Oh how disappointing. I was really hoping the signs were to do with something of a supernatural nature, not simply the window cleaner's brother reminding himself how often to clean the windows at various houses.

WinnieTheMe · 04/09/2017 17:21

chirpyburbycheapsheep - Grin

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 04/09/2017 17:24

Lol at how my paragraph was copied, pasted and marked in bold ! Like I can't remember what I'd written !! Obviously you are lucky enough not to have criminal connections !!! Whatever the markings are for OP, you are right to be cautious. In this day and age, paranoia is rife unfortunately