Scrap metal aggression

[roastednuts123]

Bizarre title I know but I'm completely losing the plot here. We've just moved into a static on our drive as we've started demolishing our property. Work only began 3 weeks ago and in that time we've had 2 incidents where men have walked into the back garden looking for scrap metal to take. First time it happened the guy said we were giving him an old lawnmower or some tale and he eventually left with minimal aggro. Today my husband was here and some guy came to the back garden and saw we had a radiator there. He got told we weren't giving anything away but then went back to his van and the other bloke started screaming in my husbands face about how was talking to them like a piece of and made some comments about knowing where we live (clearly that was true given we were stood on our property as he said that!). It went on for a few mins and I was on an office call in the caravan trying to work out what to do. Eventually he drove off but I'm now scared shitless that they're going to come back later. They were in a scrap metal van but the name doesn't come up on any google search.
I know everyone says this but we live in a naice area and all that supposedly, but it's only week 3 of work beginning and im anxious as hell?!! I don't know why im posting this but I guess reassurance or advice or any similar experiences!!! Should we have just handed something over? We do have a lot of scrap but we need every penny to fund this build and the scrap yard is just down the road so we can take it there.

They can be quite bold near us, although I’ve never had them be aggressive. There have been times they’ve walked up our drive and looked over the gate at the side. there have been incidences where people have posted (along with pictures of the van/men) saying they have seen them open peoples gates, take bikes out of the garden and Chuck them in the van and drive off. Awful.

Do you have CCTV, are you able to put temporary gates up or anything?

Thanks chicchic we do have cctv but I'm unsure what to do with it and what the police would actually do as nothing happened other than very aggressive shouting and I suppose trespassing.
We are also putting a gate up soon at the front and we already have a gate at the back which is secured at night but would be easily got through if someone was that way inclined. I guess at this point I'm more worried about them coming back for aggro rather than stealing anything! My anxiety has been dreadful lately and I'm struggling to get my head straight at the moment

Yeah they are getting more aggressive. We have two or three vans per week "sharking" around the turnaround where I live to try and find stuff, so I think there are all getting more aggressive because if they don't take something someone else will.

I thought the "rule" was that if it is not on your land then it is free to take (I suppose though that is technically fly tipping by the householder).

What annoyed me recently I put some stuff in an alcove at the front of the house which I was going to take to the scrappers myself. One of them came onto my land, up my drive and made off with them, which I thought was bad enough. Coming into your back garden and peering over the fences though is a new level of taking the piss. I would report to the police.

I don't know why they don't leave cards/leaflets for people to text them for a pickup, because it must cost them loads to drive around in circles looking for stuff.

It's getting to the stage now where I deliberating don't want to put out anything for them because I don't want the cheeky so and sos making money off my stuff - I'd rather take it down the tip than encourage them.

You need a dog. Or geese. Nobody will come near you with geese around

How about a big sign at the bottom of the drive stating the site is closely monitored by CCTV (even if it isn't) and all visitors must report to the site office upon arrival (stick a 'site office' sign on your static's door)? It wouldn't stop someone determined, but will hopefully put some off, plus if you do find someone poking about who gets aggressive, it would be harder for them to claim to the police there was a misunderstanding. Also note down the vehicle reg and report to the police non-emergency number as a suspicious vehicle/attempted theft.

Prefer not to have to keep a dog to keep them off my land to be honest.

I think the council should license them to operate in certain areas. That way you would do away with the aggression levels as only one operator would be licensed for each area. Also if they started acting aggressive there would be an instant contact point.

Thanks so much for the replies so far. It is taking the piss really all this. I feel so sorry for my husband dealing with it. The guy was right in his face

Naice?

Yes. Its better than nice as it has an extra letter.

They are getting bolder here too and the police do nothing even if you have cctv footage clearly showing their faces. Its a joke.

It's a Mumsnet thing?!

I know it will be a faff but can you get some heavy duty tarpaulin, bricks , pallets , old tyres etc and cover up anything they may want to steal.

Then they will steal the tarpaulin, bricks, pallets and old tyres and ALSO the metal.

Or how about this if you have the space and money, i know it wont be cheap but it would be really handy for storing building materials that cant get wet like plaster , wood , loft insulating etc , if you dont have space perhaps a neighbour may have some land it coukd go on ?

://www.clevelandcontainers.co.uk/containers/small-shipping-containers?tab=10ft&kw=hire%20shipping%20container&cpn=736377258&utm_term=hire%20shipping%20container&utm_campaign=Hire&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=6551277038&hsa_cam=736377258&hsa_grp=36628108977&hsa_ad=315828025565&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-1100398215&hsa_kw=hire%20shipping%20container&hsa_mt=p&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0tKiBhC6ARIsAAOXutmKP1NwZGCJ00nFObGPlITEGOc7VRK6vqhXnjTno2OIGYdgfk_J_asaAtf7EALw_wcB

Hmm try this link instead

https://qubecontainers.co.uk/containers-for-hire/?utm_term=rent%20container&utm_campaign=LOL+%7C+All+Locations+%7C+Generic+%7C+Search&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=6001900048&hsa_cam=18249426449&hsa_grp=140877623677&hsa_ad=619860508032&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-749910705&hsa_kw=rent%20container&hsa_mt=b&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0tKiBhC6ARIsAAOXutk3Y9x6EdXArD-J3MMo8me2JTW6kiBbcpSgOdWYipzy7l6XNPY77B0aAr7DEALw_wcB

That's a good idea. Another option might be a enclosed skip? The size and shape of a normal skip but the top is covered in with flaps at each end that you can padlock shut.

We had someone take the metal from a stored and dismantled green house from the side of the house. Caught on CCTV including van registration. Sent to the police, deported back to Lithuania

Where I live in UK the council do require a licence for domestic scrap collection. We have an annoying visitor to our house works, going through skip but never into garden. He is quite unfriendly and has been virtually told to go away but hasn't. You have my sympathy

It’s not just scrap they’re after. They’re seeing what’s worth stealing. They will make up stories, even if you catch them in the act. You need either ply hoarding or at least Heras fencing. Hoarding is best. They then can’t see in. Put gates on for vehicles. Keep these shut when not in use and have a personnel door with a lock and door closer for out of hours use and a digi lock for when contractors are on site.

Thanks everyone and some good advice too. It just feels like legitimate crime in some ways as it's clear this isn't all above board and yet it's allowed and even encouraged?! Looking on my local Facebook site people ask for scrap metal people to pick up various things but in most cases I'm sure people could take the item to the tip themselves (it's literally a 3 mins drive from where we live or short walk) or ask a neighbour to do it.