Yard Theft Prevention without a Fence (Due to Council)

So over the past year or so we've been having people wander into the garden - all around the house, not just from the mail box to door (no it's not the mail man, he's a drop and dash kinda guy) and take our stuff, plants, tools, etc. Just installing cameras today, though we have caught the people red handed and they don't give a damn, often they're walkers but the other day one aunty drove up and when spotted said she was here to collect, and had to have the plant taken from her. We can't have a fence/gate due to the property location and council. Any tips? There have been multiple offenders all aunties/uncles, ballsy they come to collect or take what they want even after been confronted, one said he'll send his people to collect the plants. Which he indeed did, as the plants he said he was interested in were snatched.

Has this happened to anyone else?

We do have a dog often in the yard, alas he's friendly and probably will be snatched too at some point. Have consulted a friend, she laughed and said this is why you live compound or have security on site. She says they'll just take the camera as well as plants next time… and she wasn't joking.

As Halloween is coming up we're going to have creative deco, skeletons hanging from the old oak with a noose, warning signs all that. Tips for waterproofing it very appreciated, as hardware stores are closed, and that stuff been flammable can't be posted it seems, also none within 5km.

TLDR; 1. Plant theft by aunty/uncle, council says no to having a fence/gates, what to do?
2. Tips on waterproofing Halloween deco to be used year round outdoors appreciated.

Comments

  • since its corner property, install a large solid fence and some cheap tvs with cameras so people can see round the corner, if bored, induce lag in the cameras

  • +4

    Get you hands on some Gympie stinging tree, hazmat suit up, make it look presentable… Auntie & uncle will learn a lesson

  • +1

    Definitely not normal for that kind of thief in my area with a lot of open yards and potted plants.

    Maybe you will have no choice but to setup deterances like cameras and have fun publicly them online (pop a small sign to let them know where they can view themselves). Let them identify themselves when they complain about it.

    My advice would be to pick up your doggy poop and save it to throw at the theives or smelly bomb traps but thats what I would do though don't get into trouble with using violence.

  • +1

    Dig large human sized holes around your front yard, partially fill holes with a mixture of dog poo and water, cover the holes with palm fronds and leaves, let the fun begin.

  • Plant rosebushes all around the perimeter. Cheapest thorniest ones you can find.

  • +1

    council says no to having a fence/gates

    On what grounds? This sounds insane on paper unless they provide highly sensible grounds for their objections to a permit.
    Otherwise, I would take the council straight to VCAT.

    So, did you actually apply for a front fencing permit? If so, share with us why your building permit was rejected.

    • +3

      So, did you actually apply for a front fencing permit? If so, share with us why your building permit was rejected.

      agreed. "cant have a fence" is so vague.

      • +1

        Still no response to this question from the OP.

        Maybe they don't want to build a front fence to save on costs, and so using vague council rejection as an excuse.
        Meanwhile, he is totally barking up the wrong tree with pranks to deter would be tresspassers.

  • +3

    In Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Kevin lewers the burglars into his trap house where he tortured and murdered them…. so you could do that

    • +3

      Murdered? Is this an adults only director’s cut that I’m not aware of?

      • that is the Tim Burton remake

  • What's with the "aunty/uncle" terminology? Is this a cultural thing?

    • +1

      Believe it's a malaysian/singapore thing as they call older men and women aunties and uncles.

      I was trying to work it out too, doe the OP live in a very asian suburb or is he just using the term to describe any old man and woman.

      lol if it's in a very asian suburb good luck.

      I would put a camera at the house with a tv screen showing they're on camera.

      Where on earth does the OP live, i put shit at the front of my house and no one will take it.

  • Plant poison ivy and stinging nettles

  • Your halloween stuff wont last the night

  • +2

    Whilst they appear to have little shame, shame them publicly anyway. Put up a security cam get pictures then put up poster size photos of them in your front yard with (in)appropriate captions. If they steal the posters, repeat.

  • +1

    Is this thread for real. I mean, how can people enter someone'e private property without their permission?
    Why not complain to police if someone is entering your property without your permission?
    But wait, you will need proof.

    The best thing is to install camera and then contact police with footage as police won't take any action without footage.

  • +1

    Very unusual.

    A “no trespassing” sign might be the cheapest and most effective option (other than a dog or fence etc).

  • +1

    Have you thought about ringing your aunty/uncle and talking with them about it?

    It's good to share things with family but this crosses the line.

    • lol family is worse, they look up and wave at the camera knowing nothing you can do (family know where we live ffs, but naturally we don't know where they live, it's a take take r'ship).

  • +1

    take a photo of them stealing on your property, blow up the picture and have it up on your property so neighbors can see… name and shame…if they have no shame of their actions, then tough luck…

  • what are the council rules regarding a fence?

    what about a <1m tall fence made from treated pine lattice, plant some climbing plants around it.

    Not a fence mr council.

    OR

    remote controlled roof mounted water cannon

    OR

    Caltrops

  • +2

    Try using a strong fishline as a fence for your private property. No one will see it and only you know it's there.
    You can watch the result on your security footage.

  • We had the same thing happen at ours. Some unknown individual(s) kept coming back to dig up and take the plants in our front yard 1 by 1. I assume they were being sold at a certain infamous local market.

    Couldn’t catch ‘em in the act.

    My vote is for a super soaker. It’s completely up to you what you put in it…water will get you in the least trouble…but getting them would be satisying.

    • Did you do a stakeout?

      • Our thief was a bold one who was happy to walk into our garden in broad daylight and dig up a plant, then walk off. And, curiously, they managed to angle themselves to not be on camera.

        A stakeout just wasn’t possible. We have a rock garden now. Apparently our thief either doesn’t like rocks or didn’t want to carry the big, heavy ones we chose.

  • +1

    When you establish who the culprit is and where they live, put ads on Gumtree titled "free to collect" for the items in their front yard.

  • jokes aside, you cant booby trap in AU.

    I'd just not replace plants that are taken, and migrate to a rock collection.Optional cactus.

    • Can OP lace the yard with poo 💩?

    • Nothing lethal anyway.

  • Moat?

  • +1

    Trenches and barbed wire entanglements seem like your only option if no fence allowed.

  • You can't help this. Why not put unwanted items outside and let them take it away for you.

    • lol we just have people dumping trash (like hard rubbish) all the time cause you can't see the corner.

  • Anyone on here want to help set up a camera and live stream the thieving tradies on here? Put a tracker on some bait? I think there is a tv show opportunity in this situation. You could become the next Kardashian or a tiger king.

  • +1

    TLDR; 1. Plant theft by aunty/uncle, council says no to having a fence/gates, what to do?

    sprinkles

  • Coat your pot plants with epoxy…

  • +1

    How about a moat and drawbridge? and then throw in a French Taunter!

  • By aunties and uncles you mean………….

    • Giraffes and flamingos

  • This scenario is my nightmare. People are so shitty sometimes.

    • Level up would be they knock on your door to ask for the key to the shed to get a shove to dig up your plants. I see that happening.

      How do people have the nerve to do all this sh*t? Or are we raised right/weak in comparison to those so brazen and from poor countries?

  • Motion / Vibration triggered alarm sensor glued to the plant pot. Buy I'm bulk from aliexpress. Simples. Get ones with Chuck Norris voice over alarm for maximum effect.

    • piss off all your neighbours in a breeze

  • Have you ever tried to lift something that has had graphite spilt/sprinkled on it?
    I discovered this after 'carefully' lubricating a door lock with my toolbox below it.
    A bit of graphite around the rim of a large pot would make it very difficult to lift. (Could make an amusing video, if especially if these uncles/aunties are on the older side)
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/lockwood-15g-graphite-lock-lubri…

    As an added bonus it is also very difficult to clean from your hands.

  • +1

    some how "booby trap" the plants that when they steal them and plant them at home, it kills all their own plants OR spreads a terribly fast growing weed or parasite (in their soil) in their yard

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