some loser has stolen my plants!!!

Steel_2

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

They have been back - last night - they got in another way - you know the strawberries I salvaged...? ...all gone.

So, I spent an afternoon potting plants up for them to steal.

Handfuls of other seedlings torn out of their pots and ruined.

I am very disheartened now, and cannot see the point in growing any more if I am just doing it for someone to steal.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Quite obviously they are going to carry on coming back until there is no reason to.

Can you put your plants somewhere else - a patio, a neighbour's garden, anything but the greenhouse?

ceridwen

Really sorry to hear they've struck again....I was concerned that they might do so - as I have read that, as far as thieves are concerned, "lightning often strikes twice" - ie they wait long enough for you to get things sorted out a bit quite deliberately and then come back again for "another bite of the cherry".

Actually - in all seriousness - I would be wondering if they might be even greedier and try coming back yet again for yet another "bite of the cherry" and I personally would now be investigating if there was some sort of "booby trap" or other I could set up. Yes - REALLY - ie something they would have no option but to step on en route to doing some more thieving. You would know about this - and therefore avoid it. But THEY wouldnt:D. I would like to see them sitting there in Casualty Dept at the local Hospital wondering whether they could find a way to sue me for having injured them personally:D I dont see how they would have a "legal leg to stand on" with a claim of having been injured whilst illicitly walking across someone else's territory...;)

Maybe some sort of animal trap - covered (by accident of course) with "greenery"...and be VERY careful that you dont forget about it yourself - OUCH!!!


......ceridwen goes off muttering "wish I had mentioned my concern that they would be back..kick self...wish I had mentioned.....kick self..."

Your hint of having some "evidence" sounded possibly promising...hope you manage to catch them...

Valli

just wanted to add my sympathy...I too hate the 'I'll have that' or 'I'll trash that' attitude.
DS lost his mobile phone (4 months old) and it was picked up by a kid at school. He was given it back - but not before another kid (apparently) decided if HE couldn't have it he was going to damage it. It came back with part of the fascia trim ripped off.
Why? Utterly pointless behaviour.

Hope you get left alone now FC

kippers

Just wanted to say i am thinking of you. All the hard work, time and money you put in to get lovely plants.....these people should be ashamed of themselves!

melanie22_2

Well its every gardeners fear isn't it. Im so sorry to hear about you being struck twice.

I will say i was a little suprised to read you had decided not to go looking because it seems really obvious with the bulk stolen that they would sell it and quick which definately means boot sales or to neighbours they live near, both of which would be possible to find.

Unfortunately thieves find a gold mine and they don't move on. They found an easy target and will keep coming back for their money spinner unless you either catch them out by finding them selling it or get evidence of them stealing it. I would say catching them out directly would be a final message to 'move on' and i hope your hint at progress is a successful one.

My allotment was fenced and gated until recently when someone cut the bolt securing the place. I recently bought a shed and greenhouse and every time i go there i expect them to be trashed now. Its an awful feeling.

Should your evidence be in vain i would be sorely tempted to bait them by planting (excuse the pun) things they will want to steal and purposely getting evidence and although i hadn't considered it, somebody else mentioned placing an animal trap down and just for the sake of deserved revenge i would seriously think about it if it were me.

Edit: Actually i take back the animal trap thing. It would be mortifying to find an animal in one

nuttyrockeress

i know we spoke briefly by im but i am at junct 27 - happy to share some gardners delight and minibel toms and a few peas and some sweet peppers if it will help? such gits.......

wigglebeena

Have you got any friends or relatives with a family-friendly but otherwise temperamental big dog you could 'foster' for a bit? It would be nice to think of a couple of 'extra nasty bite' outpatients in your local A&E.

I just spent a couple of minutes putting a hex on 'em to get what they deserve. It's worked a couple of times before!

ceridwen

melanie22 wrote: »

Should your evidence be in vain i would be sorely tempted to bait them by planting (excuse the pun) things they will want to steal and purposely getting evidence and although i hadn't considered it, somebody else mentioned placing an animal trap down and just for the sake of deserved revenge i would seriously think about it if it were me.

Edit: Actually i take back the animal trap thing. It would be mortifying to find an animal in one

Darn - theres always a snag - hadnt thought of that one - hmmm....wouldnt want someone's pet cat caught in one. Hmm.......errr...trip wires then maybe? thinks....I'll think of summat...

ceridwen

wigglebeena wrote: »

Have you got any friends or relatives with a family-friendly but otherwise temperamental big dog you could 'foster' for a bit? It would be nice to think of a couple of 'extra nasty bite' outpatients in your local A&E.

I just spent a couple of minutes putting a hex on 'em to get what they deserve. It's worked a couple of times before!

Now that shows a bit of creative thinking:D A suitable dog borrowed for the duration might be a possibility....

wigglebeena

Or actually go and get a dog perhaps - god knows the shelters are packed right now.