Problem neighbour~No proof what can I do?

TotallyBroke

A bit of background quickly...

I live in a block of 8 properties, 4 up and 4 down... I am one of the 4 up. Stairs in the middle, 2 properties off to the right and 2 on the left. Mine is the first property on the left and then there is my neighbour at the end (neighbour has to walk past my front door to get to hers).

Neighbour is an alcoholic woman in her late 40s early 50s... been through a bit of a rough time living in the house with 2 young teenage children and recently seperated from Husband.

Over the last couple of years I have had parcels go missing and if I've seen proof of delivery slips there has just been a scrawl for a signature. I've never been able to get definite proof that they have left anything with said neighbour. It just gets to a stage where company refunds any transactions or sends again to my work address.
Over the last few months things are getting worse, I've had my door lock superglued, I've had her cut a length of hose of a workman that was replacing my boiler (have seen the cut hose but cannot prove she actually cut it). While frontdoor was open and workman in and out I've had alcohol stolen from just inside my kitchen (again no proof it is her.. could have been workman).
Then to top it off last week I was going on holiday, I pulled all the suitcases out of house and left at the top of communial stairs. I got everything else I needed and I took the rubbish down to the bin shute and my young son down to the car (parked right at bottom of stairs). Nobody walked past me on the stairs and nobody was seen on the balcony. I was there for 2mins at most, enough time to open car and tell son to get in and open the boot ready for the suitcases and get back up the stairs. When I got back up, my handbag had gone..... I know stupid of me to leave it there but I thought it safer there than left in the car with a 3yo. I unlocked front door and immediately phoned the police. It was then that I had noticed her front door was now shut behind the net curtain she has hanging, I'm positive it was open before.
Anyway getting back to the point... Police can do nothing as I have no proof, so all they can do is give me a crime number. When I came back from holiday there was cellotape over both my locks and from the door to the doorframe! I'm guessing so she could tell when I came back to the house.

So now I want to put up some discreet cctv to catch her doing these things.... is that possible. Because the balcony is public space I'm worried I cannot record it or she can claim I have violated her privacy. Would criminal activity override any privacy violation?

Please any help or advice on what I can do is gratefully received.

pinknfluffy0

I have no idea if you can I just wanted to say how sorry I am for you.
Does she own her property? If not can you contact her landlord to complain about her?

Britwife

Maybe you could see if the other neighbors have had any issues with her and take it from there. If I was just renting though, I would just end up moving especially if the police won't even help or even talk to her.

Wish you and your son the best.

TotallyBroke

Thanks.

She told me once that she has a mortgage but I think the house is privately rented either through the council or a housing association. I'm not sure how I would confirm this and find out details of landlord.

xmaslolly76

I'm pretty sure the CCTV is ok as long as it is facing your property and not hers so it would need to be looking at your door which should be enough to catch her doing the things you have mentioned.

There is a company on the net i heard about that could make her think twice about stealing your parcels they basically send out Packages of Dog Doo Doo to people (most people use it for ex partners who have cheated stuff like that) get one sent to your address and purposefully leave it outside your door ripe for the picking ;-)

pinknfluffy0

If you think she might be council ring your local council and pretend you know she is renting from them and put in a complaint. If she isnt they will tell you.

TotallyBroke

Britwife wrote: »

Maybe you could see if the other neighbors have had any issues with her and take it from there. If I was just renting though, I would just end up moving especially if the police won't even help or even talk to her.

Wish you and your son the best.

Yes other neighbours are having problems with her.... she really is a complete nutter. But with regards to the thefts and damage none of us have any proof. She'll argue with the people downstairs but I've always spoken to her with no problems.

I would love to do something like that to her but I have to live there I have a mortgage on the property (had it before she arrived) and I think deep down I would rather have the satisfaction of getting her proscecuted without anything naughty coming back to me. What is they say "two wrongs do not make a right" lol

mollythewestie

You have my sympathy OP with having such a difficult neighbour.

How about sending yourself a parcel and leaving it outside your door, with simply a note inside saying
" *neighbours name* I know you are stealing my parcels, please stop or I will report you to the police"

Britwife

I would then enquire to see if your neighbors would be willing to go in on a system to cover the halls and doors.

She must have alot of time on her hands if she can sit and watch all her neighbors. I hope that she does get caught and you get your justice.

miss_maid

This must be really awful for you, not feeling safe/comfortable in your own home!

Re: the CCTV, is there anyway that you can have it place in your hall area or upstairs pointing down towards your door so that she doesn't cop on? If not, i'd put one up anyway, if it doesn't help you catch her then it'll defo deter her (if she doesn't destroy it that is).

You say you have no proof that it's her etc - have you ever knocked on her door and confronted her, or even ask "Hey, I got my purse nicked from the stairs and wanted to warn you, have you seen anything suspicious lately?" Something along those lines?

Best of luck!

Odette

Have you been round and asked her, as if concerned, if she saw anyone that day your purse was stolen? You might be able to have a quick reccie in her house also!

I know...thats terrible isnt it!

Im having problems with neighbours (aggressive rather than passive) and i have thought about putting broken glass down for them, its terrible what a bad apple can make you think!