Discussion
Hi all,
I just wondered if any of you guys had any experience with the following. I'm a little concerned as i'm not at home at the moment. Partner called me in a bit of a panic, very unlike her, and explained she had received a knock at the door while she was on a meeting, but popped and opened the door as she had just received a notification of an imminent delivery.
That it wasn't but a scruffy bloke with a rucksack, apparently selling cloths etc, ( I have warned her about these in the past, as she's never had them) and she said no thanks, and went to shut the door.
Instead of heading out the front gate to which he entered, he proceeded to go round the front of the house and head round the side (where you can then use the side garden, up the small hill, to the rear driveway and gates) Partner said loudly "excuse me, you cannot go through there! go out the front gate", to which she got a load of abuse and swearing, calling her a horrible person, a few more rants were exchanged and he ended up saying something along the lines of "F off back to work s***" , my partner, angry by now, said i'm working to pay for scum like you! ( i know, but she was angry at this point)
She then called me, as she's now worried about reprisals, and she remembers from me talking to her about these in the past, that a load of them get dropped off in a battered old minibus and go round selling £1 cloths for £15 etc and has looked to check he left, and that there were no vans about.
What is the likelihood of them coming back?
Where he walked, he would have seen down the side of the house where the outbuildings are, and ladders, BBQ, plus across the drive where our cars and camper are. I myself have heard of them coming back after a quick recce, and if he also thinks she's a "horrible person", has that made it worse?
Living where we do, we have no real security as never needed it, quiet old village with nothing going on. I have just ordered camera doorbell for the front door, wireless etc, cameras for the rear and side, and will put up the nature cams i haven't yet got round to doing, but of course they won't be here for a day or 2, then realistically with me working, not fitted until Saturday.
cheers
I have had something similar, you say no thanks and you get abuse, one person kicked all the flowers in the garden, shouting and swearing as he went.
I think that they travel to the smarter areas of a city, blitz perhaps 50 houses and then leave, moving on to a new city the next day.
I have a tiny bit of sympathy in that they are trying to earn a living and better that mugging or chugging. I am sure that they must get turned away so often on a daily basis.
I wouldn't worry but if there is anything to be learned, don't open your door to cold callers
I think that they travel to the smarter areas of a city, blitz perhaps 50 houses and then leave, moving on to a new city the next day.
I have a tiny bit of sympathy in that they are trying to earn a living and better that mugging or chugging. I am sure that they must get turned away so often on a daily basis.
I wouldn't worry but if there is anything to be learned, don't open your door to cold callers
We have them around us, they're known as Nottingham knockers. After my car was stolen following an interaction with one of them the police told me what they are actually doing is collecting data, which is then sold on. Was there a dog, was the front door locked, any security cameras, what cars on the drive, windows left open etc. I was polite to the guy and bought a couple of items. He claimed to be on a government programme to reform ex prisoners. There is no such programme.
tomsugden said:
We have them around us, they're known as Nottingham knockers. After my car was stolen following an interaction with one of them the police told me what they are actually doing is collecting data, which is then sold on. Was there a dog, was the front door locked, any security cameras, what cars on the drive, windows left open etc. I was polite to the guy and bought a couple of items. He claimed to be on a government programme to reform ex prisoners. There is no such programme.
Yes, this i've heard before.And this worries me, as until the weekend, no cameras, all locked up though. And there are a few nice cars on the drive. plus the outbuildings that he wouldn't have seen had he have gone out the way he came!
The most annoying thing is how worried the missus is now. And it's caused me work.
-Cappo- said:
Definitely Nottingham Knocker activity, which frequently leads to further criminal activity (burglary, theft, etc). Just Google it for more information. Some police forces actually request online that it's reported to them. It's not to be ignored.
Yeah, just been looking. Wish i hadn't.I'll move as much of my stuff as possible tonight and lay traps.
Had he not knocked, you'd be none the wiser and it's unlikely you'd be aware if he was the first to wander around the property previously.
Sounds like you are doing the right things in regards to improving security. Blocking in access to outbuildings, moving most vulnerable vehicles to the rear etc are worth doing if you can for piece of mind.
Sounds like you are doing the right things in regards to improving security. Blocking in access to outbuildings, moving most vulnerable vehicles to the rear etc are worth doing if you can for piece of mind.
Wolfer said:
-Cappo- said:
Definitely Nottingham Knocker activity, which frequently leads to further criminal activity (burglary, theft, etc). Just Google it for more information. Some police forces actually request online that it's reported to them. It's not to be ignored.
Yeah, just been looking. Wish i hadn't.I'll move as much of my stuff as possible tonight and lay traps.
t-smeared stakes planted within? Piano/anvil strung overhead, precariously held in place by thin tripwire? Landmines? Or the full 'Home Alone' monty? WelshChris said:
Tell us more about these "traps" 
Yeah, I have also looked that up, apparently you cannot do anything that could hurt intruders or trespassers, as you would be prosecuted! And if you think there may be an incoming issue, even more so, as you set out to hurt anyone trying to break in / take away your possessions! I mean, car insurance asks you to take precautions to prevent theft. I was just about to, but I can't as I could be bloody prosecuted! Anywhoo, as i am not allowed to protect my possessions, i'm now back, moved the M3 to the back of the drive, moved the camper to another location, bunched up the other cars.
Too dark to do any more, so will take a day off tomorrow and make the house a bit safer. (i've had a bad week, so not OTT, I need a break anyway)
Off Topic - our house and gardens are really old, and steps and paths are very haphazard, to the point you could trip even in bright sunlight, if these pr1cks come tonight when its -5 and pitch black and break their necks - am I liable??
I've had Nottingham knockers twice in the past 12 months. Not been burgled yet.
Not saying they're not scumbags, but it's not that drastic. I expect I get them so often as there are lots of elderly people in my neighborhood, who are more likely to entertain their offer to sell you a new tea towel on the doorstep. Quite possibly as they are intimidated.
I will report them next time though. Didn't realise that was a thing.
Not saying they're not scumbags, but it's not that drastic. I expect I get them so often as there are lots of elderly people in my neighborhood, who are more likely to entertain their offer to sell you a new tea towel on the doorstep. Quite possibly as they are intimidated.
I will report them next time though. Didn't realise that was a thing.
Wolfer said:
Off Topic - our house and gardens are really old, and steps and paths are very haphazard, to the point you could trip even in bright sunlight, if these pr1cks come tonight when its -5 and pitch black and break their necks - am I liable??
Just bury them under your freshly re-laid paths once it thaws or on the compost heap with them! Google helpfully advises you to get a court order or an injunction if a trespasser is on your property, I'm thinking that could take weeks.
A bit more info:
Reasonable force: You can use force that is reasonable in the circumstances to protect yourself, others, or your property. This includes using an object as a weapon [UK]
A bit more info:
Reasonable force: You can use force that is reasonable in the circumstances to protect yourself, others, or your property. This includes using an object as a weapon [UK]
Chauffard said:
Google helpfully advises you to get a court order or an injunction if a trespasser is on your property, I'm thinking that could take weeks.
A bit more info:
Reasonable force: You can use force that is reasonable in the circumstances to protect yourself, others, or your property. This includes using an object as a weapon [UK]
Second hand woodchippers are quite common at plant sales.A bit more info:
Reasonable force: You can use force that is reasonable in the circumstances to protect yourself, others, or your property. This includes using an object as a weapon [UK]
I think as much as anything they are knocking on doors to see what houses are empty during the day. The whole " do you want to buy some worthless ste" routine is just to give them a plausible excuse should the police bother to stop them and an excuse to be knocking on your door should you answer it. (after all what better way to see if someone is home and have a look close up than knock on the door).
Used to get them with a bit of frequency sometimes in my old place, nice area and a road that had big properties up the other end. I followed them a couple times, both times they were picked up by a car after going up and down the road. Both times the police didnt care (what a shocker). I even had video of them doing it.
Same with certain other elements of society, they are casing the houses. Last time this happened to me two loveble rogues offered to reroof the house (which wasnt needed) then when i said no they oimmediately offered to regutter the house, then when i said no to that suggested they would do it for free. I asked them to leave and they did
With lovable rogues ive found being polite and almost friendy actually works. Nottingham knocking scum not so much.
Having said all that, looking at our cctv footage they all do bugger off and not further trespass when I wasn't looking whcih is at least something.
te" routine is just to give them a plausible excuse should the police bother to stop them and an excuse to be knocking on your door should you answer it. (after all what better way to see if someone is home and have a look close up than knock on the door).Used to get them with a bit of frequency sometimes in my old place, nice area and a road that had big properties up the other end. I followed them a couple times, both times they were picked up by a car after going up and down the road. Both times the police didnt care (what a shocker). I even had video of them doing it.
Same with certain other elements of society, they are casing the houses. Last time this happened to me two loveble rogues offered to reroof the house (which wasnt needed) then when i said no they oimmediately offered to regutter the house, then when i said no to that suggested they would do it for free. I asked them to leave and they did
With lovable rogues ive found being polite and almost friendy actually works. Nottingham knocking scum not so much.
Having said all that, looking at our cctv footage they all do bugger off and not further trespass when I wasn't looking whcih is at least something.
Edited by neilr on Friday 10th January 19:42
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