Not sure if I have spelt that correctly but I have somehow attracted the attention of the local yobbos who so far have smashed the windows in my front door three times (threw a beer bottle through it last night), attempted to jemmy the front shutters and thrown lighted fire crackers through the letter box (which, given I am only here a couple of times per year, could have easily started a fire amongst the mail on the floor where the crackers landed)
In OZ, I can buy a fine mesh screen door (or just the mesh which is effectively burglar proof) but havent been able to find an equivalent there.
Appreciate any suggestions on what I can do (confrontation wont work as there is a gang of about 8 of them) or where I could buy something like the mesh
I am not sure if it is just me or I am just a new face so it's my turn- basically a bunch of disaffected yobs who seem to be bent on trouble making - eg at Easter they stood outside the Catholic church opposite loudly singing Muslim songs to try to upset the parishioners.
The only thing I could have done wrong to antagonise them is refuse to give cigarettes to their 13-14 year old girlfriends and have a house that is "better" than theirs (the house opens right on to the street so if the front door is open, its easy to see in).
This is not rational behaviour and one passed by the house a couple of days ago with a rifle - felt like I was back in Angola !!
Given I have done nothing wrong, its hard to see how you can resolve it
Here you go - wildlife trail camera. Batteries last up to 3 months (should be enough time to catch the blighters unless to move on to pastures new). This site has several other options too.
get the police on to it. not sure why you don't do it. My wife is scissorstepping to the door and as far as she is concerned Queensland police because they sorted out the Brisbane floods
I am looking at motion activated cameras that run on batteries for a year and als work at night, like the ones used for animal wildlife programs, as we had nighttime visitors that let the dogs out a few weeks ago.
Steve, that's awful, and frightening. What bloody idiots. If you can arrange it, I'd immediately put a lockable/ padlockable metal shutter on the front door. You can get a separate metal letter box for any post (except they'll probably nick it). You need to fireproof the house if that's their latest "jaunt". And I would keep on at the gendarmes. You need to get them on camera somehow if that's what the gendarmes are demanding - have you a friendly neighbour or a nearby tree where you could rig something up? Is there any such thing as a motion activated camera so it wouldn't have to run all the time, just do the necessary?
Plenty of lighting (the lights that illuminate the historic church opposite are actually on my roof and shine all night so no deterrent there). Internet security is a good idea but I live in Africa and only get here 2 or 3 times a year so dont have internet on while away. Also no place to put a camera that would not mean leaving a shutter or window open or wouldn't get smashed
I have been to the Gendarmerie but although they knew who it was as soon as I told them where I lived, probably cant do much without proof
Unfortunate indeed. As Véronique has written, a gentle prod to the Maire and a "heads up" to the local gendarmerie might help a bit, it will all depend on the general perception of risk/xenophobia by those with the responsibility to act. As for your mesh screen, you might be able to find metallic mesh in the local garden centre, possibly in the DIY stores, but don't count on it, otherwise Amazon might well have something.
How unpleasant for you - presumably they are well-known? Go to the gendarmes for a start and tell all, then they may keep an eye on them or go around & have a word with them. Again, if you know who they are, depending on the size of the community, a word with the maire could be useful (social ways of putting pressure on them to stop, and again people keeping an eye open). Good luck.