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.

[Mrgrinch]

The cheek of some people will never fail to amaze me

[MyOtherProfile]

@VeniVidiWeeWee

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

Because the police can still get involved.
www.cwj.co.uk/site/library/commercialclient/evicting_trespassers

[user1471538283]

So they are bullies to boot! This is beyond cheeky. I would get some spikes put on the wall, get a workman and makes lots of noise. If you cant do that then the paint.

Also report it to the police and keep a log. Honestly who does this?!

[ittakes2]

another idea is to put a cover over your seating and table so it would not be comfortable to sit on and see if you could padlock this down somehow

[TheStarbucksMermaid]

@Aquamarine1029

I would make a sign to put on the table top.

"You are trespassing, you are being recorded, and the police will be called."

Good advice here.

The absolute nerve of some people is astounding!!

[TolkiensFallow]

@acatcalledjohn I really like the sprinkler idea!

[Howdidigetsoold]

Can you get a cheap flimsy table and put it where they cross over. It will break then you have them damaging your property which will be easier for the police to deal with.

[TolkiensFallow]

Please update us OP! Taking the cushions and putting the cover on might work but if not, definitely call the police.

[SwanShaped]

Sprinkler is a good idea! Or it’s a shame you can’t have a remotely controlled megaphone so you could shout ‘I’m watching you!’ in a creepy voice while you’re out.

[SchadenfreudePersonified]

@Tavannach

I’d take screenshots of the video and send them to their housing association.

^This. The HA will have had complaints from the other tenants and would probably welcome concrete evidence of anti-social behaviour.
Do you have to wait till Friday to phone the police - won't the video be enough?
Pity you can't borrow a Rottweiler. Or can you?

Agree with this.

The HA won't want to be responsible if their tenants damage something belonging to a private owner. (They should protect other HA tenants, but it seems they don't)

[LysistrataVickers]

These look good Op. they come with a sign too.

Stegastrip® Fence Top Wall Spikes Garden Security, Intruder Burglar deterrent Anti Climb (5M, Pack without posts) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KCJ9PJ3/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabc73C63N2NX0H5MYM870EN?psc=1

[ivykaty44]

I’d ring the police and say the camera shows someone has climbed into your garden and they maybe burglary about to take place…..

[TheSockMonster]

Unfortunately I think you need to consider the long term implications of making enemies of them.

I think I would:

1. Phone the HA. Explain you have screenshots of them in your garden but say you fear repercussions if they find out you’ve reported them. Ask their advice.
   

1. Anti climb paint, prickly bushes etc.
   

They seem like the sort of people who will not be intimidated by a warning from the police (which is pretty much all they’re likely to get if you call them). So, if it continues and you can see a regular pattern to their visits, I would…

1. ..approach a security company and get a big burly man (the only language these people understand) to sit in your house and jump out and scare the living shit out of them. They will presumably think he is a relation or boyfriend and hopefully not chance it again.

[SchadenfreudePersonified]

@messybun101

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

Just what I was thinking.

A lot of these suggestions would deter the CFs, but would make the garden very uncomfortable for OP too.

[mcdog]

Wow OP, this is certainly a horrible situation for you to be in. Are you frightened of repercussions? As the answer to that would probably determine my course of action.

But I would 100% call the HA either way.

[Pottedpalm]

I doubt the police would have the resources to deal with this. A while ago our village shop/post office was being burgled. The family, with disabled DH and young children, were in the flat upstairs watching on cctv. The burglars were armed. When they called the police the advice was to lock doors and stay quiet; they didn’t have anyone to send as all mobile crews were busy.

[oneglassandpuzzled]

@FakingMemories

I’d put a sign that says “smile! You’re on camera” on the table.

I sympathize OP. It’s horrible, we lived in a place once that had the largest garden in the street by a considerable amount. It’s just the way the houses and gardens were done many years ago - not something we did. The neighbours took out a fence panel so that their children could use our garden whilst we were at work. We discovered it when we found bicycle tracks from their garden through ours and then found the fence panel that they used to slide in and out of place. We confronted them about it and the wife initially denied any knowledge of this so we showed them the tracks and then the husband got very shirty with us saying we don’t deserve such a big garden if we are at work all day and don’t use it.

Yes, the nerve of you all working all day to be able to afford somewhere with a large garden!

[NoIDontWatchLoveIsland]

Get up early one day and move you car around the corner. Then get a box of eggs, and sit upstairs next to the window. When they appear over the fence, pelt them and tell them to fuck off.

Alternatively do you know anyone that would lend you a dog for a couple of hours? Preferably a badly trained snappy one.

[NoIDontWatchLoveIsland]

Oh but also OP, show the footage to their HA and explain you plan to bring about a prosecution for trespassing. The HA may be able to use the threat of eviction to stop them.

[brokenbiscuitsx]

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

Get up early one day and move you car around the corner. Then get a box of eggs, and sit upstairs next to the window. When they appear over the fence, pelt them and tell them to fuck off.

Alternatively do you know anyone that would lend you a dog for a couple of hours? Preferably a badly trained snappy one.

Alternatively do you know anyone that would lend you a dog for a couple of hours? Preferably a badly trained snappy one.

Please don’t do this, you could be putting the dog in danger of abuse or injury or worse, putting its life in danger. These aren’t reasonable people.

[Bluntness100]

I’d also do the call the police as there are intruders in the garden ans act ignorant of wh they are.

[Weenurse]

Good luck 💐

[GnomeDePlume]

Longer term solution would be to put pyracantha under the fence. Common name is firethorn which tells you what you need to know! As a bonus it has pretty red or yellow berries.

[Ambo21]

Paint the top of the wall with anti vandal paint.. never quite dries and is a b...ard to get off... quite slippy too....

[Muma1992]

So much bad advice on this thread.

Someone has broken into your property. You are a single woman living alone. Next time they are there, call the police and say that someone has broken into your property at the back, it doesn't matter who they are.

Also, do call the HA and say there are police involved.