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Victims of crime

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Someone keeps stealing clothes off my balcony

14 replies

Fishfeedingfrenzy · 30/07/2019 13:57

More of a WWYD...

I've had 2 items taken that have been left out to dry in the last few months. One a nice child's hoody, a present and one if my cardigans, again a present, both are high street brands but a little more expensive than the usual shops. I normally buy stuff for myself second hand and tend to buy cheaper stuff for the kids, so this is really disappointing, as we are hardly loaded and cannot afford to replace them (I know, what a grubby selfish arsehole stealing a 4 year olds favourite top)

We are on the lowest floor and the area immediately outside our balcony is gated and shared with 3 other blocks, hence easy to reach over and take something when clothes are drying. The area is overlooked by a lot of flats, so this person must be quite brazen, since it would have happened in the day time too.

I can't help but feel that it's one of my neighbours who has done this. I'm not sure whether to warn them or maybe try to catch the person who has been doing this, since neighbours would see me leave and know I'm not in and therefore quickly pinch it.

It's got to the point where I'm worried about hanging stuff outside now. There is nothing left that's decent to steal clothes-wise, but the idea of someone coming back again and rummaging through my clothes makes me cringe.

Anyone been in a similar position? I know reporting to the police and checking EBay/Gumtree is futile and I dont want this arsehole to take my time as well as my possessions.

OP posts:
HennyPennyHorror · 30/07/2019 14:36

Leave a really nice looking item out there but smear the inside of it with something rank. They won't realise till' they've got hold of it and walked off.

I would. Cat shit or something. Otherwise, just stop hanging things out...if you do it once they won't try stealing from you again.

WhereDoesThisToiletGo · 30/07/2019 14:38

Are the items pegged on your dryer?

Our dog was a bugger for nicking washing off the neighbours line and bringing it home to us

LutherRalph1 · 30/07/2019 14:51

Foxes like to take stuff too

Fishfeedingfrenzy · 30/07/2019 15:03

Grin There aren't any foxes around here and a dog would hav to jump pretty high to get over - the fence is at least a metre high.

I'm going a bit MI5 now, but I'm wondering about hanging something up with a fake designer label sewn in with a tracking device sewn in somewhere. But ridiculous I know, but just want to know who has been doing it as it's probably the same person.

I would love to smear something in cat shit for them to take, but unfortunately if they dont visit, I'm just left with a shitty clothing item!

OP posts:
Fishfeedingfrenzy · 30/07/2019 15:05

Having said that, some dogs will probably fit in to a 4 year olds hoody. I will keep my eyes peeled around the local shopping mall for delinquent dogs.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 30/07/2019 15:05

Cats take things all the time. One of mine is a prolific thief.

Fishfeedingfrenzy · 30/07/2019 15:14

I really dont think it's an animal. It would have to jump over a railing with a heavy bit of clothing. There aren't many cats or dogs in the neighbourhood either. It was two separate incident for each bit of clothing too, so pretty sure the thief is of the two legged variety.

OP posts:
Fishfeedingfrenzy · 30/07/2019 15:16

And besides, I'm pretty sure pets aren't as selective when it comes to stealing. All the Primark and supermarket brand items are left on the clothes airers, but the few more expensive items get nicked!

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 30/07/2019 15:17

Do you know all your neighbours? Do they have children your DC's age?

I would get some sort of CCTV camera and report to the police if I saw who did it.

HollowTalk · 30/07/2019 15:19

Oh sorry, just seen you're surrounded by blocks of flats, so obviously you won't know your neighbours.

I think a CCTV would be better than a higher fence, which probably wouldn't make much difference to the thief.

Fishfeedingfrenzy · 30/07/2019 15:34

There are a few in my area and the two neighbouring flats have boys my son's age. I speak to both of them but they aren't friends IYSWIM.

We have had spates of thefts in the area before. The area is ok, but (not wanting to sound bad, as I know lots of people who use social housing) we do have a block nearby where a lot of the residents are vulnerable and have social problems. There us one guy who allows cuckooing in his flat and then there are thefts around this time. They also deal a lot of drugs from there.

I'm pretty sure it's a woman though, as I cant imagine what a bloke would do with a nice cardigan and a kids hoody and they have obviously come back again a few times. I didnt wear the cardigan much and the hoody was almost brand new, so this makes me think it could be someone regularly doing a reckie at my laundry, as it would be a coincidence the cuckooing guys are in the area just when I happen to hang these items out to dry on the rare occasion!

I think CCTV might be the way forward, but it has to be fairly cheap and discrete as I want to catch this person.

OP posts:
Yearinyearout · 30/07/2019 15:40

I would either hang something really nice out and keep watch behind the curtain, or set up a camera!

Years ago I left my favourite hoody on a garden wall whilst out playing. I knew where I had left it and went straight back and knocked the door of the house, the woman claimed she hadn't seen it. Couple of days later I saw her DS wearing it ...

Can't stand thieves!

Fishfeedingfrenzy · 30/07/2019 15:59

Yearinyearout

That is so brazen! I already said to other half that hanging out DS uniform when he goes to school in September is a no-no due to this.

OP posts:
nilcarborundum · 03/08/2019 17:40

Hi op, this is a really good camera, I have two. It's sends notifications to your phone so if you're out you'll see who is there. Also you can save the clips

Blink XT Home Security Camera... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075RHX3WP?ref=ppxpoppmobappshare

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