Somone coming into my house...

alyth

For ages I have thought I've been going mad - I would come home and wonder why something had been moved, that sort of thing. There are a couple of possibilities: a guy I was seeing who turned out to be married but had a key to the house (not seen him in a year) or another guy who looked after the dog when I was at work (my dad's age - 60) who told people I was his girlfriend - I suspect he took a copy of the key as I used to leave it outside for him.

I'm at college and work part time, so my routine is fairly standard. Some nights when I get in at 10pm from work the dog won't move, like someone has been in and played with her.

Anyhow tonight I'm supposed to be at work but took the night off as have an exam tomorrow. 7.15 I am sitting on my side step having a cigarette when I hear footsteps along the farm road - I live in an estate and I always leave the sitting room light on for the dog at night, even when I am out. The person got to the side of my cottage, obviously saw me sitting there and turned back and I could hear their footsteps going back along the track. The dog was sitting at the gate in anticipation of whoever this person is.

I'll arrange to get the locks changed tomorrow morning before my exam, I can call the factor of the estate and he will get someone in - obviously I should have done this before. Strangely I'm not scared as whoever it is I hope isn't going to hurt me, but it's confirmed to me tonight that I'm not a 40 year old going senile!

But should I call the police? Tonight what I should have done was go tearing off down the farm track in my car to chase whoever it was - hindsight is a great thing!

Lots of people walk down here with their dogs,and I've been asking some of them and no one has seen anyone at my cottage. Again with hindsight this person knows that i work three nights a week and I'm racking my brains trying to think back things over the last few days.

Anyone offer any advice?

jackieglasgow

OMG. Phone the police. They may keep an eye on the house or suggest ways of catching the person out. You absolutely shouldn't have chased after them just in case, you never know how they would have reacted when put in a corner. Sounds borderline stalker -ish and definitely not normal behaviour for a grown adult. Please make sure you take precautions tonight, chain your doors, etc.

aspinallkate

set up a camera and catch he/she out!

captainprincess

Defo call the police!! I would be super scared if that was me! Glad you are getting the locks changed,
Hope you get it sorted

Mme.Hibou

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1633193

Check this thread out from someone with a similar problem.

xmaslolly76

Alyth i think you did the right thing letting them walk off you never know how people will react when confronted so dont beat yourself up about that. Now on the one hand i would change the locks immediately for safety reasons but then on the other im a inquisitive person who would love to know who it is and exactly what they are doing in my home so i would be tempted to install a spy camera (relatively cheap these days) and catch them in the act then go to the police with the evidence.

bestpud

Oh my word!

Are you putting a chain or something on the door tonight? :eek:

I'd be bricking it!

alyth

I'm strangely calm about it - at least I know now! I live with a 45kg rottie but it's because of the dog that I started to wonder - on one day I am out at college 8-3, rush home then work 4-9.30 and used to have to take her out for a walk at 10pm - not any longer!

I have wondered about someone watching the house, because of my exams I am in and out outwith my normal routine at the moment. The farm track I live on is about a mile long and people sometimes park at the end and walk their dogs, so if I see a car I don't think it's unusual. As I also live on an estate, it's always busy - just now the gamekeepers are out night shooting. Because of the sound of the footsteps I suspect the married guy - a brief affair until he was caught out by a friend. It wasn't someone walking their dog as they would speak to me to reassure me.

Guess I'm not going to get much sleep tonight and I have a big exam in the morning :-(

minimoneysaver

Goodness me! I'd be building up piles of furniture in front of the doors! Lock smith and extra locks/bolts/chains etc on the doors tomorrow, at whatever cost. Good luck.

jinky67

I would phone the Police and tell them my concerns

I would also be sleeping downstairs with stuff piled up round my doors, so no-one can get in.

Sagz_2

I think I'd check all my personal stuff (not just the knicker draw :eek: ) but make sure you've not left any passwords laying about or any bank details that could be used.

Good luck in your exam x