CF Stole my hedge

[12FreeRangeEggs]

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.

If this is for real, it worries me. I currently have incredibly attractive holly, full of berries. I thought it indicated that we are in for a hard Winter. Do I have to worry about wreath-mugging, as well?

That's outrageous! It's also theft and, if she's in your garden, trespass ( but that's a civil, not criminal, matter). She must be on a nice little earner there using free holly to make things she's changing £85 for.

She's 100% come across your thread on here OP (looking at you @Havalona) hence the return of the holly twigs 😂😂

In America you could have shot her! She had scary clippers and you felt in danger !

Omg the update 🤣🤣🤣 She definitely reads Mumsnet!!

Ive had (heavy) potted plants stolen from my front garden in south London before too. They were so heavy I genuinely couldn’t get my head around it when I saw they weren’t there in the morning!

CF!!!!!

I would send her an invoice for at least 75% of her 10 wreaths at £85/ea

No way!! She’s probably read the MN thread 🤣

Cheeky cow! 😳

Dear oh dear..... people seem to be born these days without a conscience, she's clearly too thick to understand that she is in fact stealing your holly from your hedge.and to attempt to charge you £85 for your own holly wreath from your own hedge....words fail me.

😂😂 seems likely

Which part of ITS NOT THEIRS TO TAKE do you not understand?

Every word of it. Which part of THE POLICE HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO do you not understand?

Not relevant. if I go to my insurance company they will want a crime number as I have already said.

I would be inclined to put a notice on your local facebook or twitter page advising everyone that they will be buying stolen goods if they buy a wreath from a certain lady.

you were too polite.

That would be pointless given the fact that the holly was returned.

Yes, I hadn’t seen that post. Still worth warning people for next year though…unless she goes out of business through lack of foliage and holly lol 😂

They always have 'more important things to do'

But this is what community police can address

Depends how she obtains the rest of her supplies

You'd have to be two sandwiches short of a picnic to claim on your insurance for some twigs from your hedge. I really do think you're lacking perspective here.

I’m picturing the claims assessor going through the paperwork 😂😂😂

😂😂🤣

Why? I hope they have. She is a common thief.