Caught neighbours using my garden

[Weird21]

I have a block of flats next to my house and I thought for a while things have been moved in my garden and it seemed a bit weird. I’ve got a lock on the gate and it’s always locked. So over the weekend I’ve installed a small out door camera under my guttering which records the whole back garden.

So I’ve come home tonight after work (I work the late shift) and found two cigarette butts on the path by my seating area. So I checked the camera and the neighbors have climbed my wall and been sitting in my garden from 2pm until 8pm using my seating and table. To say I’m annoyed is an understatement but how to I confront them as they aren’t the friendliest of people at the best of times. So I guess they’ve been doing this since the nice weather began.

Unfortunately it’s not difficult to see i’m out as I have to drive to work and so once my cars not there they obviously know I’m out.

I just don’t know how to approach this as I’m a single woman and just concerned it’ll escalate but I can’t allow this what would you all do? I thought maybe a note through their door asking them to not use it anymore. They haven’t seen the camera but now I wonder how long it’s been going on.

Alternatively you could leave them a note that you have seen them there, they can use your garden so long as you are out and they don't leave mess.

What kind of madness is this????

You may have said, OP, but can these CFers see into your garden from their flat? They know when you're out because of your car going but can they watch you at home?

I think the police and HA will not do much but you can at least register a complaint. It's worth seeing if they'll respond to a warning sign and if them knowing they're being filmed is of any effect. Could be they'll just wave at the camera and leave some mess! Frankly, the best suggestion is to catch them at it (with a burly man in tow) and ask them politely to leave and not use your garden again.

Thank you everyone for advice, I’ve moved the holy bush and replanted it in the corner which is the only place really they can get back out as they need the fence to help them. It raining now so I’m guessing they won’t be trying today which is a blessing. I’ve contacted the HA they said I need to tell the police and they can’t do much until I’ve involved the police which feels like a cop out from them.

I’ve made a log and go an incident number so at least the police are aware now. I’ve asked the nice people who have view of the wall to keep and eye out for me but told them I don’t want them to confront anyone and get into trouble themselves, but they did say it’s been going on for some time since I changed shift so about 5 or 6 weeks now. The family are all out at the moment so I could at least speak to a couple of people about the situation. It seems most people are too scared to confront them due to witnessing very loud and threatening previous confrontations witnessed.

I have my gardener coming out to put stuff on the wall and fence he said he has paint he can use and he’s coming tomorrow if the weather is ok.

Everyone I have mentioned this to is gobsmacked at the cheek of them I honestly expected it to be a fox or something as we do have a couple that I’ve spotted in the past in the park area at night.

I’m very cross about this. I think you’ll have to confront them. I know it’s scary. Can you get some back up from other neighbours?

What about local Facebook groups? Could you explain on there that you have had this happen? You might be able to muster a group of people equally cross.

What are they using to climb back out?

I think now you know about it you need to keep fighting. Otherwise they might start doing what they like when you’re in. It’s disgusting. And frightening I’m sure. But as with all bullies- you have to stand your ground.

@Cissyandflora

I’m very cross about this. I think you’ll have to confront them. I know it’s scary. Can you get some back up from other neighbours?

What about local Facebook groups? Could you explain on there that you have had this happen? You might be able to muster a group of people equally cross.

My feeling is the nice neighbours hadn't mentioned it to the OP for fear of reprisals, so I'm guessing the other neighbours may not be keen to get involved either.

They are absolutely cheeky Fxxxxx. I would plant prickly and thorny bushes. Thistles are great very jaggie but look good. Maybe plants that make them itch..... OK maybe not.

@lorca

Even as trespassers, you have a duty of care to them (I know, it's daft but that's the law)

Yes, you do. It’s the Occupier’s Liability Act. It is not daft. Do you think it would be OK to set man traps in your field if you thought that people were using it as a cut through? How about boiling oil poured from a window over kids playing knock down ginger? Shooting someone with an uzi for scrumping apples from your tree? Of course not. That is why you owe anybody who enters your property, legitimately or otherwise, a duty of care.

Yes I know. That's why I said it was illegal.
However, my DP is South African, and it is common, in fact I'd say near-universal, to have broken glass, razor wire and fishhooks embedded in/on your 10foot high perimeter wall. Along with alarms, burglar bars on windows and doors, large dogs, guns and entry-phones and cameras.
I would hate to live there. But equally, I think it is getting to the stage in the UK where home-owners need to be able to defend and protect their own land/house/family.

Well either the Occupier’s Liability Act is daft, as you said in your previous post, or it is not. Which is it, in your view?

Home owners in the U.K. are already able to defend their land, house and family, but they are required to do so in a reasonable and proportionate way. So no razor wire, broken glass or savage dogs where they present a risk to people who are on your property. Unless you want them to sue you for damages, of course. Royal Mail will do that if you decide to keep a savage dog in your garden and it bites one of their postmen or postwomen.

The neighbours really are like me and suggestions to get men round I could easily I have a friend in a biker club who would happily come round but then when I’m left on my own what will happen? I really don’t want a whole load of trouble and I’m left here on my own unfortunately until you’re in this situation you don’t really realise how scary it is.

The neighbor said nothing as they’re like me trying to stay out of their way and kept saying please don’t say we told you, I won’t of course but now I’ve given them my number so they can text me as it’s safer.

They’re using the fence horizontal slates to get to the top of the wall and out and they’re bringing a stool the neighbour said to get access the other side. Hopefully the holy bush will give them a fright as that’s the only place they can get in and out

@Weird21

Thank you everyone for advice, I’ve moved the holy bush and replanted it in the corner which is the only place really they can get back out as they need the fence to help them. It raining now so I’m guessing they won’t be trying today which is a blessing. I’ve contacted the HA they said I need to tell the police and they can’t do much until I’ve involved the police which feels like a cop out from them.

I’ve made a log and go an incident number so at least the police are aware now. I’ve asked the nice people who have view of the wall to keep and eye out for me but told them I don’t want them to confront anyone and get into trouble themselves, but they did say it’s been going on for some time since I changed shift so about 5 or 6 weeks now. The family are all out at the moment so I could at least speak to a couple of people about the situation. It seems most people are too scared to confront them due to witnessing very loud and threatening previous confrontations witnessed.

I have my gardener coming out to put stuff on the wall and fence he said he has paint he can use and he’s coming tomorrow if the weather is ok.

Everyone I have mentioned this to is gobsmacked at the cheek of them I honestly expected it to be a fox or something as we do have a couple that I’ve spotted in the past in the park area at night.

This sounds very sensible. Of course they're in the wrong (and know it), but it's best to go through official channels just as you are doing.

They sound terrifying - you're doing the right thing imo.

Although if you know a carpenter who can whip up a drawbridge to go over your new moat, all the better

The sheer audacity of these fuckers never ceases to amaze me

I've contacted the HA they said I need to tell the police and they can’t do much until I’ve involved the police which feels like a cop out from them.

It's not a cop out. They have strict procedures which they have to follow. They have a duty of care to their tenants.

Phone the police, show them the video, get a CAD number and contact the HA again.

I have a neighbor who repeatedly had one passerby use their letterbox as a rubbish bin.

They got a camera, printed off a video still of the person doing it and q clear message saying. We know who you are, you're on camera. If it happens again you'll be reported to the police.

Wow how rude! What did the police say when you logged it? X

OP that’s awful. You’ve done the right thing being calm and measured and taking the appropriate steps. Give us an update with what the HA say now you’d reported to the police. I don’t think I could live next to such dickheads but you never know who your neighbours are going to be until you’re in do you!

My neighbour has motion activated sprinklers to keep cats out of his garden. Would this also work for CFs?

Alternatively you could leave them a note that you have seen them there, they can use your garden so long as you are out and they don't leave mess.
who the fuck thinks other people should be allowed to use a private garden to park there arses, jeezus wept some people are so stupid

@Weird21

The neighbours really are like me and suggestions to get men round I could easily I have a friend in a biker club who would happily come round but then when I’m left on my own what will happen? I really don’t want a whole load of trouble and I’m left here on my own unfortunately until you’re in this situation you don’t really realise how scary it is.

The neighbor said nothing as they’re like me trying to stay out of their way and kept saying please don’t say we told you, I won’t of course but now I’ve given them my number so they can text me as it’s safer.

They’re using the fence horizontal slates to get to the top of the wall and out and they’re bringing a stool the neighbour said to get access the other side. Hopefully the holy bush will give them a fright as that’s the only place they can get in and out

The video from them discovering the holly bush on their way down might be quite entertaining though - make sure you can pick up the sound!

I'd plant some pyracantha there too - very pretty to look at, but my goodness it's a good protective plant!

Pretend to leave for work. Pick up mates, return on foot, quietly go out, scream, phone cops, say intruders on, if possible, the police WILL come if they have any units, particularly if you mention you’re a lone female.

@sergeilavrov

Spikes on the top of the fence, or anti climb paint. Report the trespass to the police.

They sound like scum.

Trespassing is not a criminal offence, police powers would be very limited.

Don't install ANYTHING.

Monitor the cameras, the second they arrive call 999.

You're a single woman, you live alone, you've accessed your cameras and there are two people you don't know looking to break into your property.

Please can someone attend as a matter of urgency, you are at work.

Then contact the housing association and state their tenants attempted to break into your home. The police are involved and you will be looking to press charges.

@time4anothername

My neighbour has one of those cameras, like a nanny/pet cam for outdoors, that you can also turn an alarm on remotely that they turn on when people hang about outside their garage. The garage looks like a public area but is private. They had to put a sign up that the area is under CCTV.

So you could just put up a sign that the area is under CCTV and alarmed for movement, then set it off if you see they are there.

Alternatively you could leave them a note that you have seen them there, they can use your garden so long as you are out and they don't leave mess. Sounds like great burglar protection, if they can get over your wall when you are out, who else can?!

Is this a joke ?

If Holly bush isn't enough - try firethorn

When your neighbours see them can they ring the police? How would the CFs know who had called the cops?