Yard alarm action plan

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rextherobber

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Following a repeated triggering of the cameras last night (turned out to be a badger having a stroll around the yard), I realised that not only do I not have a plan of action, should the intruder be less harmless, but that my husband and I have very different views on what to do....I was all for wellies on and get down there, husband was less enthusiastic, calling the Police from home would be his preferred route,though I doubt we'd be considered a priority. We don't live at the yard, but are only 10 minutes away, the closest neighbours are in their 80's, (we are mid 60's) and our nearest Police Station, which is 5 miles away, is unmanned after 2pm. The next nearest is an hour away. While I obviously don't want to put either of us in danger, I also do not want to stand back and watch our hard earned tack, trailers and land management equipment being whisked away from under our noses. Not to mention the safety of the horses... I have heard that security camera footage is rarely of good enough quality to be useful evidence, and even if it is, the culprits are usually never identified. What are your plans in such an event? Any more security tips (we have insurance, Reolink cameras (with the alarms turned off, as don't think the horses would approve and they are pretty much the only ones who could hear them), and motion triggered security lights at the moment but happy to increase/improve on these). Apologies for such an unfestive thread!
 
Do you have any really good friends/liveries who would answer a really urgently call from you to drag wellies on and meet you there? More cars/lights noise is likely to scare trespassers off. Along side 999 saying robbery in progress? Also saying you're on your way and you/ friend/ imaginary friend own a shot gun. This will bring a swift police response as they don't want shooting(not that you would,/could but they don't know that).
 
Our plan is simply to go down there, probably dangerous but my OH is also fairly dangerous if that angry...! We can block the gate with a vehicle and there's no other way out, after that I guess we'd call the police if there was someone there other than a badger. I don't think the police would appreciate being called out if it was just wildlife, which probably happens quite a bit. If you did see an intruder on the cameras though, I would definitely call them (and then head down there).
 
misst said:
Do you have any really good friends/liveries who would answer a really urgently call from you to drag wellies on and meet you there? More cars/lights noise is likely to scare trespassers off. Along side 999 saying robbery in progress? Also saying you're on your way and you/ friend/ imaginary friend own a shot gun. This will bring a swift police response as they don't want shooting(not that you would,/could but they don't know that).
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If you mention guns you'd get an immediate response from the firearms unit, and probably be arrested for making that threat (and wasting the time of that unit). Definitely don't do this.
 
You're probably right but it's been done a few times. Mentioning it is ok, threatening to use one is very different. Im not for one minute suggesting taking one even if there's a licence one available.
 
misst said:
Do you have any really good friends/liveries who would answer a really urgently call from you to drag wellies on and meet you there? More cars/lights noise is likely to scare trespassers off. Along side 999 saying robbery in progress? Also saying you're on your way and you/ friend/ imaginary friend own a shot gun. This will bring a swift police response as they don't want shooting(not that you would,/could but they don't know that).
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No liveries, and no one, apart from the elderly couple, within a reasonable distance unfortunately.
 
Abacus said:
Our plan is simply to go down there, probably dangerous but my OH is also fairly dangerous if that angry...! We can block the gate with a vehicle and there's no other way out, after that I guess we'd call the police if there was someone there other than a badger. I don't think the police would appreciate being called out if it was just wildlife, which probably happens quite a bit. If you did see an intruder on the cameras though, I would definitely call them (and then head down there).
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No, I wouldn't call the Police without establishing the cause of the trigger. Blocking the gateway with vehicles is a good shout, we could bring separate cars, thank you.
 
I know someone who had a load of 4x4's with lurchers turn up to course hares on her farm, she phoned the old bill and mentioned she was out on her land confronting them, had her 12 bore with her and was feeling very threatened.
Police turned up very quickly indeed, she faced no action.
 
misst said:
More cars/lights noise is likely to scare trespassers off. Along side 999 saying robbery in progress?
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I'd go for the lights/separate cars/as much noise as possible approach, but not necessarily block off their escape route (unless you suspect they've already got a car full of your stuff). Even then I would leave them an escape route on foot to minimise the risk of injury to you. I think that's pretty much the advice if you suspect an intruder in your home - turn lights on, make noise, leave them a way out and the vast majority will just leg it without wanting to get into a fight.

When phoning the police I would always stress, "we are elderly and vulnerable and we ARE going to see what's going on". That way I think they're more likely to flag it as being a risk to life (yours) rather than just another burglary that they can ignore.
 
Years ago we had an armed robbery in the jewellers where I was working on a Saturday. The owner managed to pin him down i called the police and said he was armed. They turned up 30 minutes later and asked if he had gone yet. No he is still in the shop and has a gun. It was scary and like a scene from a movie. I was running on adrenaline. Luckily some passing fellas came to help us keep him contained and got the gun off him.
 
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I think I agree about not blocking them in. Years ago, we had a break‑in and car theft at our farm. The guys taking the car got themselves mixed up and ended up stuck in the yard, so my husband blocked their exit. They just drove straight at him — he had to handspring over our own car to avoid being knocked down.
 
Widgeon said:
When phoning the police I would always stress, "we are elderly and vulnerable and we ARE going to see what's going on". That way I think they're more likely to flag it as being a risk to life (yours) rather than just another burglary that they can ignore.
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A couple of weeks back I was threatened with a gun, my address was already flagged as high risk, for immediate response. It still took 20mins for anyone to get there.

Its just stuff, do what you can while keeping safe, but do not expect the police to turn up to help, do not put yourself at risk in anyway. Its not worth it.
 
I wouldn't go to the yard, as sometimes the thieves are armed, but I would get on the intercom and tell them to clear off before the Police arrive. I would also make sure that the cameras are pointing right at them to get as good an image as possible.

If you haven't already, make sure all your stuff is marked, photographed and as secure as you can get it. Thieves don't want to be hanging around, so make everything a pain in the arse to get at.

People who go around nicking stuff, are total scum and I would love to scare them off with a shotgun. There is a device available that will replicate that, but I'm not sure it is legal. They are fairly easy to make too. Bit don't, cos possibly illegal. Maybe.
 
When you're in the moment anything can happen. You are best keeping out of the way. Maybe scare them off but keep safe. If you block them in then what are going to do. They will just ram your car. There is a very good 24 hours in police custody episode where a guy chases after 2 lads who tried to nick his bike. It did not end well for him.
 
Widgeon said:
I'd go for the lights/separate cars/as much noise as possible approach, but not necessarily block off their escape route (unless you suspect they've already got a car full of your stuff). Even then I would leave them an escape route on foot to minimise the risk of injury to you. I think that's pretty much the advice if you suspect an intruder in your home - turn lights on, make noise, leave them a way out and the vast majority will just leg it without wanting to get into a fight.

When phoning the police I would always stress, "we are elderly and vulnerable and we ARE going to see what's going on". That way I think they're more likely to flag it as being a risk to life (yours) rather than just another burglary that they can ignore.
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This is great advice, thank you! One advantage of getting old, I suppose...😂
 
I'm Dun said:
A couple of weeks back I was threatened with a gun, my address was already flagged as high risk, for immediate response. It still took 20mins for anyone to get there.

Its just stuff, do what you can while keeping safe, but do not expect the police to turn up to help, do not put yourself at risk in anyway. Its not worth it.
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I'm so sorry, that must have been a dreadful ordeal. It does put it into perspective, I guess, it IS just stuff, but it's taken all our lives to work, save and buy, we'd never get back to the same position again...
 
The most important thing is not to put yourself or your animals at risk. Mark your property and equipment is marked with Smartwater (this DNA codes your property with a unique number which tracks back to you) and/or Data Tagged. Ensure all your gates have reversed hinges on them and are locked. Have sufficient fire extinguishers.
 
rextherobber said:
I'm so sorry, that must have been a dreadful ordeal. It does put it into perspective, I guess, it IS just stuff, but it's taken all our lives to work, save and buy, we'd never get back to the same position again...
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Thank you. Ive had the worst time the last few weeks and thats only the tip of the iceberg, but its all over now thank god.

And believe me I know, I've lost so much over the years and its so, so unfair. All you can do is insure it and try and put them off. No possession or thing is worth dying or being seriously hurt over, and people do crazy things in the heat of the moment, on both sides.
 
Don’t mention guns if you do call police. A friends husband was having a robbery at his unit. Called 999.
No response he went there found a damaged door and the kitchen in a mess. But no stock missing, as thieves couldn’t gain access to the inside of unit due to secure doors locked. They just messed up the rest area in kitchen.
He returned home and police called him to say did he still need assistance. He was annoyed and flippant and told them it’s sorted but they may want to go remove the body. , cops were there in minutes and he was taken in for questioning. And gave a warning on false allegations. He thought it funny. His wife didn’t
 
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