Someone taking pictures through my kitchen window

[pollyerrington]

Morning :)

I've just had an alert on my phone from my security camera. Some guy has just come up to my house, trodden on my shrub area in front of the kitchen window, and it looks like he's taken a photo. He's then stood in my drive and gone on his phone (texting by the looks of it)
He was wearing a lanyard but I couldn't make out the name or company. I'm in a new build so we do have workmen around doing stuff, but why would they be taking a photo?

Photo attached - he looks kind of official...

It's stressing me out!

Any thoughts?
Thanks

Have you got residents Facebook group. Put this pic on one of the neighbours may have seen or know more. Also everyone will be vigilant.

@waxlyrically I have trees opposite the house and then the motorway, so no chance of developing and affecting my kitchen view/light

Don't let the TV licencing goons into your home or identify yourself even if you're legitimately not watching live TV. I've heard (albeit anecdotal) cases where they've gone "there's a smartphone, there's a laptop, you can watch TV on those things." They've got no right of access anyway so why take the chance?
I opted out on their website and they've never been round, thankfully.

Also, I don't think anyone has used an aerial for years now. Everything's digital now, the analogue signals got switched off in 2012.

Freeview is digital terrestrial, so you need an aerial to receive it.

I've just had a thought from something I read about.. By any chance do you have a calendar hanging up in site from your kitchen window?? I read that burglars will look out for calendars through windows to know when you'll be out etc..

@cheeseontoastox that's a good thought, but no calendar...!

It’s possible there have been complaints from other householders. Maybe poorly fitted window frames or cracks in the walls around the window fittings. Maybe he is from the building company and taking some photos from all the houses.

I don't see it being TV licencing or the DWP. In fact, I doubt it's anything "official". Make a police report. Talk to your neighbours and make sure your house is secure.

I don't like this at all.

@malmi

i think its prob some sort of audit for the building company. I would contact the site office if there is one and check.

Never heard of DWP popping round and checking or taking pics they have no right surely!

OP what is there up on the wall from where your camera is taking that picture?.

Anything like boxes with wires or similar?, I bet hes from a Telecoms co or the utilities maybe the local council?

I doubt he's a burglar they like to be as unnoticed as possible.

Asked any neighbouts if they had seen anything?.

I definitely don't think its TV licencing, we had an inspector turn up at our door and he was very nice and polite, simply wanted to come in and see what we were using. Plus, I think they have to be pretty transparent.

This guy definitely looks up to no good. My bet is thief.

Are you at home? Parcel delivery? They take photos round here when they leave it in the porch due to tea leaves...

@justaboy nothing visible anywhere that would be of use to a contractor (apart from the window frames!)

@simkin no parcel delivery, and photo was of/through kitchen window he was stood about 30cm from the window

Definitely report on non urgent police number 101.

Overweight, in black, lanyard round neck? Classic bailiff. They can photograph stuff to take inventory of your goods but then they shove a nasty letter through and you say he hadnt done that?
If it s a new build you must be first tenants/owners?
Just saying as i once had a rather nasty man banging on my door for council tax arrears a few months after i moved in and it was for the previous tenant.
Luckily I had my driving licence to prove i wasnt her.
Think back. Do you think you could have old parking fines or something?

By any chance are you on one of the route of cross rails? I saw the workers once taking pictures of the buildings around the area. I think they wanted tos ee what was above before they started digging under.

I bet its something really dull.

I would bet my wage that this is a bailiff.

They take photo's whenever they make an attendance.

I work for an enforcement agency company.

It looks like done sort of meter device in his hand.

Could you not have asked the man why he was taking photos?

Orange but baliffs knock...they make their presence known. I've seen "Can't Pay Won't Pay"

I'd have challenged him personally. OP go outside and look up at your window like he did...see if there's something like an Ariel or wiring that might be dodgy. Are you in a flat? Is there a property above?

doing a survey for an electricity company of where meter boxes are as part of their campaign to persuade us that it is essential to have a smart meter. if they know where all the meter boxes are they know who needs access to the house to do the job and who they can write to and say 'we have booked your appointment for your smart meter fittting on X date' without you even having requested one (we had one of those)

Why is it a police matter ?