It should be a crime

[whatisthisinhere]

To take rose cuttings without permission. Long shoots have been cut from my roses. I noticed it a few weeks ago, and at first thought a fox may have trodden on it and damaged my t, but on closer inspection the case anew look cut, and I couldn't find the missing bits. Today, again, part of one shrub look missing, and again someone has taken a cutting. This is in my back garden, so. Or open at the from of the house either, so not some random passer by. I suspect a neighbour.

I know they'll grow back (I've had to tidy them up, the cuts were terrible) but this happens to me a lot. It's very upsetting

It is a crime already, isn't it? I would have thought it's theft if they are taking something that belongs to you without permission. I would be getting CCTV to cover my garden to see if you can identify who it is. They may think it is harmless and may stop after a discussion.

If it’s sticking over the boundary into their property, they’re allowed to. If they’re leaning over into your garden, they’re stealing.

Do you have a security camera?

I don't have cctv, can't afford it at the moment. But nothing in my garden overhangs boundaries, I always make sure of that. They'd have to enter my garden and take them. The worst thing is that I hear a noise last night, and as soon as I was sure that it wasn't my children wandering about and the doors were locked, I went back to bed. I never thought to take a look in the back garden

If it's within your garden (so not over the property line into their garden) it's criminal damage. Just like it would be if they cut it off at ground level.

@WeatherwaxLives

If it's within your garden (so not over the property line into their garden) it's criminal damage. Just like it would be if they cut it off at ground level.

I think it is, but I don't know what I can do about it. It's not as if anything will be done, and doubt police would take me seriously. I can't imagine calling 101 and telling them someone has taken rose cuttings

How do you think they're getting in the garden? Could you get a lock for the gate?

Battery operated cameras are cheaper than they used to be this one's 25 quid, you'd also need a memory card.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08JYR5SVR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_289158G12PWCXQSE2RHA?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I can't imagine calling 101 and telling them someone has taken rose cuttings

No, you're quite right, they wouldn't do anything I don't suppose. But it does give you the high ground if you figure out who it is and ask them to stop. Especially as they seem to be trespassing into your garden too - that's not a misunderstanding, they know they shouldn't be doing it!

How about putting a cctv sign up, even if you don't have cameras? Might put them off coming in again?

I've bought that camera recommended above. And am now about to console myself with another purchase. I need a large shrub rose, preferably repeat flowering, with hips and lots of thorns. Any recommendation?

(I've also bought barbed wire)

That's really bad. However, you may find out who it is, if you keep an eye on your neighbours' gardens over the next couple of years!

I think I'd be so shocked and amazed that someone was walking into my back garden to nick (a lot of) rose cuttings that I'd struggle to get really angry tbh.

That is such ODD behaviour that surely there is more to it than just wanting to grow that rose themselves? For it to happen a lot.

Do you have a super odd neighbour?

Agree about the CCTV to find out who it is.

How odd and unpleasant. Do look up the rules, though, on where you can and can’t install barbed wire, as you could be liable for any injury caused, even to someone stealing/causing criminal damage.