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.

Put sign up.

If they ignore, call the police and she video evidence.

Put barbed wire around your fence. How bloody rude of them

Please come back OP, really want to hear if you called the police on them?

Why don't you make them welcome ? you don't need to use the garden when you are at work and they would be providing you with security

They sound like right chavs.

Make sure you dont accidently a full bottle of cheap wine laced with laxatives on the table. Do not leave out two cups either.

Don’t put spikes on your fence, you can be prosecuted for injury to them even if they are trespassing.
Had this with previous neighbours and even though it’s a great idea, I can assure you if you put something up to injure you will get in trouble.

Better idea. Put anti climb paint on top part, clearly put up a sign that say.
DO NOT TRESPASS ANTI CLIMB PAINT
£1 on eBay.
If they do it you have told them and if they get covered in greasy oily paint it’s there issue.

I would also get a pre made sticker on eBay £1 or so
Your are trespassing 24hr cctv.

Stick them on table and chairs.
Take pictures when done checking date and time and the. Email them to yourself so you have copies.
Let them ignore it, let them climb the fence and see if they do it after the once or getting messsy.

Report it to the police I think you can now even send them video clips like dangerous drivers.

Let them deal with it.

Other idea I had with my families neighbours, same sort of situation had cafe style chairs and table neighbour kept drinking on.
Got a cable and lock, piled chairs into round table put it through arms so it couldn’t be moved or used and got the hint very quickly.

Wow how feckin cheeky!

OK, this might be harsh, but put spikes on top of your fence.
A person round where I live, have done this. I guess to stop people climbing the fence. I think the brought them for a DIY shop. The are small and attach to the top. You might need a warning sign. Then if the got caught and complain. You then point out the sign, pointing out the spikes.
It sounds harsh, but sometimes, there is no talking to some people. We lived on a farm and had trespassers, we didn't know who it was, the had got into the horses paddock. We then left the electric fence on, around the gate, to stop people getting in, we got told, by the local police man, who we knew well, small village, everyone knew everyone. He said, put a sign up, then if anyone gets shocked, off the fence. The don't have a leg to stand on, as you have warning signs. Not just one but 3 or 4 around the perimeter, in bright yellow, cannot be missed.

Vile creatures. Some people are so entitled.

Plant a Pyracantha bush

www.poison.org/articles/are-pyracantha-berries-poisonous-183

It's really not pointless you and your neighbours contacting the HA if they're constantly troublesome ASB-types.

You may not see immediate results, because the HA has to follow protocols and do things the slow but right way. But if they're constantly getting reports of ASB, they might end up applying a behaviour contract, moving them or ending their tenancy.

@Overdale

Why don't you make them welcome ? you don't need to use the garden when you are at work and they would be providing you with security

I can’t help thinking that the kind of people who would climb over a neighbour’s wall to use their garden and property without asking, and without even clearing up their rubbish, are the kind of people one wants security AGAINST!

Police ain't gonna come for garden users. They don't come out for burglaries.

Razorwire or a Doberman…

Anti Climb paint or those spikes that stop birds sitting on top of walls for sure, absolutely lowest of the low using someone’s garden without permission, trespassing infact

Why don't you make them welcome ? you don't need to use the garden when you are at work and they would be providing you with security

You're either

A) the CF neighbours

B) off your cake

C) taking the piss

D) all of the above

Of course you'd invite people into your garden who had effectively broken into / trespassed on your property without your knowledge or permission, used all your garden equipment and left all their rubbish behind. Why doesn't OP make them afternoon tea and run them a bath while she's at it?

Get real.

This is the second cheekiest thing I've read on MN
(Mexican house thief will always have top spot)

@iklboo
Personally the OP should install them a hot tub at the very least.

I'm sorry, people are assuming the police are just sitting around twiddling their thumbs waiting for someone to ring and alert them to some major crime in progress.

That's not how it is.

Even actual crimes, where something is stolen or discernible damage caused are dismissed. Even if the details would be recorded, the police would decide 10 mins later to close the case, no action taken.

You have to sort it yourself.
Any garden furniture other useful items should be kept. Indoors or locked in shed, whilst you're out.
I'd keep the lawn damp from hospipe, if you're not on meter.

If they persist, then direct personal dialogue may be appropriate.

@Overdale

Why don't you make them welcome ? you don't need to use the garden when you are at work and they would be providing you with security

seriously? 😒

@Houseofvelour

This is the second cheekiest thing I've read on MN (Mexican house thief will always have top spot)

Oh yes that's definitely top

So sorry op!

Given that the mirror has outed your plan for Friday, I don't see what alternative you have but to plant prickly bushes and use anti vandal paint. They'll regret climbing into a pyracantha bush

I'm so sorry to hear this.I wonder if a huge burly guy lived there they would be doing the same thing.I'm concerned they have no respect for your boundaries.No adult with reasonable judgement would do this.I think its disturbing and you need to stay safe and it b=needs to be stopped immediately.What next ?The idea of intruder proofing your wall and telling police about your concerns is a good idea. Good luck!

They don't sound like the kind of people that will be shamed by a note through the door. And probably won't give a damn if they find you sitting in the garden (with or without a friend) as they start their climb into your garden. They might go away for that day, but they'll be back.
I'd go with calling the police, intruders on your property, along with pictures to HA, followed by anti-climb paint or tractor oil (or whatever oil) wherever they can climb over, coupled with prickly bushes wherever they can land in your garden. I'm so sorry you're going through this OP. You shouldn't have to do any of this