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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

CF Stole my hedge

492 replies

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 18:09

We live in a naice part of London which thinks it’s the countryside but is actually just a green suburb. To the side and front of my property is our hedge. It’s a mix hedge; Holly, Ivy and other trees. Our Holly has been very good this autumn and we have lots of red berries. I make a door wreath for my front door each Christmas, and I usually forage from my own hedge to make my wreath. So far this year I haven’t gotten around to it but was hoping to make my wreath this weekend.

Well, I returned this afternoon and there was a lady stood on my driveway with a large blue IKEA bag in one hand and a pair of pruners in the other, helping herself to my holly.

I politely challenged her, but she didn’t seem to think that she was doing anything wrong helping herself to my Holly in my hedge. Infact when I protested that I was going to make my own wreath with my own Holly she told me she had a business making Christmas wreaths and usually only made 10 a season despite huge demand because she simply doesn’t have the time but was willing to make a professional wreath for me using my own Holly and charge me £85. I, less politely this time, declined her offer for a professional wreath and asked for my Holly back. She refused and accused me of being bitter and uncharitable.

OP posts:
GwenPost · 06/12/2024 18:12

The CF dial is up to 11

Ilovepotato · 06/12/2024 18:13

💀 CF

Ilovemyshed · 06/12/2024 18:16

She is a thief.

Womblewife · 06/12/2024 18:16

You should have told her you have a camera on the house recording her and will report to the police if you don’t get the holly back. What a cf.

fashionqueen0123 · 06/12/2024 18:17

Did you tell her to get off your land?

OldJohn · 06/12/2024 18:17

An imediate 999 call and get the police to deal with the thief.

Roryno · 06/12/2024 18:17

I’d have taken a photo of her stealing it and put a poster of her on her shop window and local social media! (well I’d have told her that’s what I was going to do!). People are just selfish cunts nowadays. I live in the countryside and some horrible bastard has been gradually stealing all the top stones off the dry stone walls.

MelainesLaugh · 06/12/2024 18:18

I hope you made her give it back

MiraculousLadybug · 06/12/2024 18:18

Wow what a CF. She's stealing your raw material AND selling it?? And thinks she can do you a deal? CF of the year right here.

Ezlo · 06/12/2024 18:18

OldJohn · 06/12/2024 18:17

An imediate 999 call and get the police to deal with the thief.

Yea good use of police time and the 999 service. It isn't an emergency.

Shinyandnew1 · 06/12/2024 18:20

Why would you ‘politely challenge’ anyone stealing from you?

I would have asked her to get away from my property and taken a photo of her stealing. I would then post in on all local Facebook/Next door apps!

RubyRedBow · 06/12/2024 18:21

We had a holly tree. It was huge. One year someone asked to take a cutting, we said ok no problem.

They stripped the entire tree bare.

warofthetimemachines · 06/12/2024 18:21

It’s practically a comedy sketch. Sell it to Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, they’d do a great job of it. Dawn French as the holly stealing cheeky f**r and Jennifer Saunders as the hedge owner.

TickingAlongNicely · 06/12/2024 18:21

Offer to sell her your excess Holly etc.

OldJohn · 06/12/2024 18:22

Ezlo · 06/12/2024 18:18

Yea good use of police time and the 999 service. It isn't an emergency.

As the thief was still at the scene a quick response from the police would have her apprehended and charged. If she still had the secateurs and the holly that is adequate proof that she intended to steal.
If catching a thief is not the police’s job I’m not sure what their job is.

Whohasnickedthesellotape · 06/12/2024 18:24

In the last week someone drove up and took big clumps out of the rosemary bush in my front garden as well as dried wood from a small pile by my front door that's not quite covered by the Ring doorbell. My neighbour saw her and was gobsmacked but sadly didn't get a licence plate!
CFs are getting Xmas ready! 🤬

Eyresandgraces · 06/12/2024 18:24

I would find out who her customers are and let them know they’re paying for stolen holly.

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 18:24

She left with the Holly and me shouting “excuse me, that’s my holly”. Her argument for not turning over the Holly was that she had foraged a lot from the neighbouring common and wooded area and she didn’t know what was mine and what was from the common.

OP posts:
TunnocksOrDeath · 06/12/2024 18:24

Criminal damage and theft? Did you get a picture? Or contact details for her business? Shouldn't be hard to find if she's local.

MJMJMJMJ · 06/12/2024 18:26

Ring Mrs Marple get her on the case!

DemonicCaveMaggot · 06/12/2024 18:26

Can you report that to the police as criminal trespass?

Mostlyoblivious · 06/12/2024 18:27

Oh wow!

She was seriously on your drive taking your bush..!?!!

It’s a pity you didn’t get her details and then leave a review as to how much her materials cost…

Flossflower · 06/12/2024 18:28

Take down the holly you need for your wreath now in case she comes back.

12FreeRangeEggs · 06/12/2024 18:28

No, no picture. It all happened too quickly. Now I am incandescent with rage thinking of all the things I should have said and done in the moment but failed to do. Furious with her and myself for not being quicker off the mark

OP posts:
FlangeSprocket · 06/12/2024 18:32

Can you do a bit of sleuthing and find her through her overpriced wreath making business. At £85+ she shouldn't be too hard to find?