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.

@Weird21 no matter what, I wouldn’t confront them alone. Do you have a friend who could be with you on Friday so you have a backup witness?

Ring type doorbell- that detects motion. And you can speak through. Ask them to get out as they are trespassing and police will be calle otherwise

It’s hard to believe the way some people behave tbh!! I would remove the cushions and make the garden as uncomfortable as possible. Also anti climb paint/grease on the wall. Drive away and park up then walk home and wait with the garden hose for their appearance

Motion activated speaker. Hidden.

Record on it...

I can seeeeeee yoooouuuuu, I'm watching yoooouuuuu!

Definitely phone the police and involve the housing association. CFs I’ve got the rage for you.

Can you get a sprinkler timed to go off when the arrive?

Why are people suggesting calling the police? Trespass is a civil matter.

Too bad booby traps are illegal

@VeniVidiWeeWee

Why are people suggesting calling the police? Trespass is a civil matter.

Well they shouldn't be there, and it's suspicious why they're there. The OP is within her rights to contact the Police and say there are strangers on her property. They could be 'casing the joint' to break in. Why else would they carry something to assist them being able to climb over the OPs wall and behave suspiciously in her garden?

The Police could deal with the matter and find out and warn them not to repeat the behaviour again.

@Megasausagehead

Motion activated speaker. Hidden.

Record on it...

I can seeeeeee yoooouuuuu, I'm watching yoooouuuuu!

Or play loud music that will annoy them. “It’s a small world” on a loop? Opera?

Wow this is incredibly cheeky! Intrigued to see what you try. Doesn't sound like gentle methods will work. The paint is a great idea.

Unfortunately the whole street knows where they live they’re housing association and they give the tenants a really bad name all the other tenants are lovely but this family are a nightmare,

Contact the housing association, there are terms and conditions in HA contracts that mean you can be evicted for upsetting your neighbours.

They are probably more scared of that than the police.

I'd be tempted to go out as others have aid but before you call the police photograph the ladder or whatever they are using to get over.

Do you have a friend with a large dog?

@VeniVidiWeeWee doesn't sound very civil to me.

Can you hire a dog to garden sit for a few hours

Some very good suggestions here op. Remove everything you can to make your garden less welcoming. Put manure next to the wall where they climb over so hopefully they will step in it. Grease all along the wall where they climb over, lots of it. Anti vandal paint along the wall. Buy a very prickly rose/bush and put that where they will come over.'re
Also buy a rambling or climbing rose and plant against your wall, make sure it has thornes. This will not help straight away but will be a future deterrent. Plant brambles such as blackcurrent, again won't help now but will be a future deterrent and brambles grow quickly and will spread far and wide making it difficult to climb over.
Have a Google or visit a garden centre and ask for advice regarding thorny bushes etc and explain your dilemma.

I've thought of something else. String lights all above the wall at varying levels making sure there is not a big enough gap for anyone to fit through. Again ask for help at a garden centre about posts etc to attach them too.

Double back after going out on Friday and remove whatever they are using to climb over the wall. That way they will not be able to leave before police come!

Great idea!!!

I'm sorry op, being honest I'm really laughing at this thread. I just cannot believe the cheekiness of these cheeky fuckers. Seriously. Bringing a ladder or something similar to hoist themselves up!!!! I'm astounded and pissing myself
I just can't get over a bunch of pp's coming together to come up with ideas and things you can buy to secure your own garden which has a wall to stop these intruders making themselves at home in your garden. And the fact that you're even having to consider moving your holly plant round to protect your private property from this wanker family. It's utter madness you're having to do this

And manure??? No! The op wants to enjoy her garden too

OP I hope you get this sorted. I second phoning the police to report intruders in your garden.

I think the best way to go about it is to call the police, and nail them for trespass

Wow, I can't believe how rude and entitled people are! I would be livid!

Hope you get it sorted

Oh my goodness, that's really frightening. If you go off and then return make sure you''ve got someone with you. If you go outside to tackle them video them on your phone. But definitely inform police and HA.

Best thing would be if you could get a police officer to come to meet you and go into your garden with you.

I agree with calling police and following it up with Housing Association. I agree about putting up something they will have to break so it makes it a criminal charge of criminal damage. If they do and the police catch them don’t accept a community resolution it’s only a charge you are interested in.

Also Police need to issue a stage one Anti Social behaviour notice to them as their actions are causing alarm distress and harassment. Then I’d they continue or harass you in any way then it’s clear they have received notice of what’s acceptable.

Can they see you come into the front of your house? You could derive away and park out of sight then return by foot and surprise them by coming into your garden whilst they are there. Maybe have a burly male friend with you.

I'd go with a sign as follows:

PRIVATE GARDEN
CHARGE FOR USAGE £25 PER PERSON PER HOUR
By entering and remaining here you agree to these terms.
Payment by cash within 4 hours to 29 Acacia Road. Late payment fee £10 per person per day thereafter.

CCTV MONITORED