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AIBU?

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Original poster

Caught neighbours using my garden

812 replies

Weird21 · 26/07/2021 23:58

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.

OP posts:
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Monestera · 27/07/2021 14:08

but they did say it’s been going on for some time since I changed shift so about 5 or 6 weeks now. I know you think that they're probably reluctant to get involved, but I'm shocked at this lack of community. It's not just a cheeky situation, it endangers you.

I would also ring the police, preferably when I was in. "I'm a woman living alone, men have just climbed in my garden and they're approaching the house. I don't know them and I'm scared".

SirGawain · 27/07/2021 14:09

@Cherrysoup

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.
A great way of getting yourself prosecuted for wasting police time!
DancesWithTortoises · 27/07/2021 14:10

A great way of getting yourself prosecuted for wasting police time!

But it's true. So she won't be prosecuted. Daft thing to say.

nocturnalcatfreetogoodhome · 27/07/2021 14:14

A great way of getting yourself prosecuted for wasting police time!

Don't be ridiculous, once her property line has been breached someone is accessing her home/land illegally.

They're in the garden today, how do you know they have no intention of attempting to break in. Nothing about ringing the police and saying she fears for her safety is 'wasting police time'.

HaveringWavering · 27/07/2021 14:19

An I right that your "nice" neighbours have been watching them do this for 6 weeks but never said anything to you? I get that they might not have wanted to confront them but it was lame to keep it a secret.

Flak · 27/07/2021 14:22

Leave a size 12 pair of work boots from a charity shop outside, make them think you have company,

Mind you they might nick them! Sad

HaveringWavering · 27/07/2021 14:22

Also, 2pm to 8 pm....I sincerely hope that they were climbing out again to use their own toilet. Are they arriving with a picnic? What are they doing all day? I''m presuming not conducting Zoom meetings from their MacBooks or having an away day brainstorming session...

OverByYer · 27/07/2021 14:26

If you do see them on your cctv I’d ring police and say they’re in your garden, look like they’re trying to break into the house.
Being in your garden is trespass and a civil matter so police won’t necessarily respond to that.
I’d go out but ask your biker friend to quietly sit out of sight in your garden, wait for them to arrive then he can scare the living daylights out of them. If he’s got a nice big dog that would be useful too.

I am gob smacked at these CFers

mam0918 · 27/07/2021 14:27

dont ask them, they didnt ask you.

I would just get sprinklers (the buried type if possible) and have them timed to come on when they are there or remote controlled so you can switch them on if you know they are there.

If you have ones that are 'imbedded' and they try to dig them up/move them them so they dont get wet then its criminal damage and I would get a no contact oreder from the police.

Then you dont have to deal with talking to them if they are rude/entitled/agressive people.

FlorrieLindley · 27/07/2021 14:28

Could you install big scary biker chaps in the house, you go to work, and then when CFers come into the garden, biker chaps come out and face them?

Wheretobuy · 27/07/2021 14:29

@Cherrysoup

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.
Do this OP.
Gliblet · 27/07/2021 14:31

Glad you've got some friendly neighbours who will help you to keep an eye on the place while you wait for the police and HA to step in. I agree with @HopeHappy - we have pyracantha in our garden and it's informally known as The Evil Bastard Death Bush. We took cuttings and grew on some small bushes for a local allotment and they've planted them in a gap under a fence that people were climbing over to nick produce and tools - it's not a popular place to climb over the fence any more Grin They're decorative, if you like birds the berries are great for attracting great tits, blackbirds and long tailed tits, and they're easy to keep in containers trimmed down to smaller shrubs.

dad11122 · 27/07/2021 14:32

Sorry if this has been said already but trespass on its own is not a criminal offence in England, maybe go for harassment as it's happened more than once.

Oblomov21 · 27/07/2021 14:32

If you left a note of trespassing, and the police job number, surely that'll put them off.

Noterook · 27/07/2021 14:38

That's really creepy! They're probably using a wheelie bin on their side to get over, in our uni house we had the same as the garden also acted as an unofficial cut through to the next street. I would try and get someone to come over but move your car, and then see if after being seen once makes them stop, they sound awful but it might do once they know someone knows?

Wheretobuy · 27/07/2021 14:41

@dad11122

Sorry if this has been said already but trespass on its own is not a criminal offence in England, maybe go for harassment as it's happened more than once.
I didn’t know this and I am flabbergasted to find that actually anyone can jump into your garden and stay in it for hours, using your property and potentially damaging the fence while jumping in/out, without being called a criminal! This is insane and ridiculous!
FenceSplinters · 27/07/2021 14:45

This is the worst case of CF behaviour that I have heard of. I am fuming for you, OP.

Illogicalmadness · 27/07/2021 14:46

Actually this is disturbing because they are watching you and tracking your movements. They know your movements, your timetable and they wait until you leave to trespass. How are they tracking your movements? How do they know when you leave and when you return home? Have you checked your garden for discreet cameras etc? They could have set some up inside & outside your home to ensure that the coast is clear & you don't catch them at it.

Essexgirlupnorth · 27/07/2021 14:47

Garden sprinklers on a timer so they get wet?

PizzaPiePizzaPie · 27/07/2021 14:52

Is it your fence? I’d paid that anti vandal paint all along the top so they get covered in when they try and climb in.
Or dog shit.

HarebrightCedarmoon · 27/07/2021 14:52

I'm sure the holy bush will deter them.

Caught neighbours using my garden
MariposaLilly · 27/07/2021 14:53

I'm not sure if they available in the UK but I have a Motion Activated Sprinkler. It's an impact sprinkler on top of a tripod with a motion detector on the top - you attach it to a hose pipe. Soon as it detects movement it comes on with a blast and rotates to soak the whole area. I got it on Amazon - US. I use it to keep deer away from some young fruit trees.

You can always say it's for the cats who have been shitting in your flower beds.

MydogWillow · 27/07/2021 14:53

@Illogicalmadness

Actually this is disturbing because they are watching you and tracking your movements. They know your movements, your timetable and they wait until you leave to trespass. How are they tracking your movements? How do they know when you leave and when you return home? Have you checked your garden for discreet cameras etc? They could have set some up inside & outside your home to ensure that the coast is clear & you don't catch them at it.
Their flat probably overlooks the OP's garden. No less weird though.

You or your gardener could arrive at any time, so guess your parking spot is around the corner from where they would exit?

notthemum · 27/07/2021 15:00

Messybun.
You really don't get out much. 🍷🍾

bakingdemon · 27/07/2021 15:05

I have never read such an outrageous example of CFery on this site! OP, poor you and I totally get you feeling really vulnerable.

PPs have some great ideas - a combination of additional measures on top of the fence, some spiky bushes at the base of it, timed sprinklers and a call to the police about intruders should do it.

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