I took these pictures with my iPhone, on a beautiful sunny November afternoon, while raking up the leaves in the garden, intending to publish them with this title on Wordless Wednesday.
Events here during the night of Friday 11th overtook every thing else, nine garden sheds and out buildings in our cul-de-sac were burgled. They entered the gardens from the field behind, by cutting the wire fence that runs along the rear of the gardens. Bolt cutters were obviously used to cut off the padlocks where they were in place, stealing small hand powered tools, petrol leaf vacuums, chain saws ect. They actually removed a fencing panel furthest from the house, between us and our neighbour, to enter our garden. Nobody heard a thing, not even our dog.
The last few days we have been repairing the damage and attempting to increase the level of security, by fitting alarms, security lighting and what we hope are bolt cutter resistant locks.
The police advised us not to keep any new replacement tools in the sheds as this type of criminal often wait about a month, to give you time to purchase replacements, before revisiting. We believe they must have ‘cased’ the area in daylight to know the layout so well, the police told us that they use either drones or google maps to assess the position and number of targets.
I decided to post this purely as a warning to those of you who have valuable power tools in out buildings to take advice about security to help prevent this happening to you.
There are times when you feel very disillusioned about human nature. I realise in the scale of events going on around the world, this is very small beer, however you do feel as though your space has been violated.
Ending on a more upbeat note, the Copper Beech and the Silver Birch in next doors garden along with our Wisteria are adding a colourful tone to November, helping to prove that it is not all dark shadows.
Stay safe and secure.
Brian.
brimfields.com 
How sad! I hope your insurance will help. If you have the chance buy the quietest possible power tools, especially leaf blowers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is awful – something like that taking place in the middle of the night is very frightening and unsettling.
These drones are a menace, especially when used to spy out peoples homes and gardens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can understand your feelings, absolutely. I do wonder if anywhere, or anything, is safe these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How disturbing – I can see why you feel disillusioned. It’s hard to get over a violation like that, except by focusing on the positive, like the beauty of nature that surrounds us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s sickening isn’t it to realise that such people are on the prowl. Often things are sold on at car boot sales etc. Just a shame that there is a ready market for cheap bargains of unknown provenance.
LikeLike
You are correct Sue, that is how they sell the stuff. We all need to think before buying cheap second hand tools etc.
LikeLike
So sorry to hear about the burglary. It is such a beautiful time of year, as your pictures of your garden show. It is just a better pill to have to accept such callous disregard for others property. Amelia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear about this Brian …. I feel angry!!!!! You are right to take all new precautions. Big hug…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Frightening and worrying and annoying – and that’s a good tip about how they might come back for the replacement tools.
Drones – I don’t know how they are allowed. If I were to put my stepladder against people’s fences and walls so I could look over to see what they are doing I’d be stopped. But I can fly a little machine around if I want to and not only look at them but film them and nothing would be done.
LikeLike
I think there are laws about flying drones over people and private property but like many laws they are either difficult to enforce or no-one bothers.
LikeLike
It has been a very unsettling experience Lucy.
LikeLike
Every time they strike we all increase our security but they always find that little chink, which makes me realise just how often these lowlife people prowl around behind our backs. On a more positive note, the colours of those trees are gorgeous.
LikeLike
I know ANNE, rural crime especially on farms is rife. If the same level of crime was in urban areas there would be campaign to reduce it.
LikeLike
That is such terrible news Brian. How worrying for you all. I hope your insurance will cover you for the loss, but they can’t give you peace of mind. It is also a good reminder to us all to check on security not just in the house but in the garden too. Love your shadow photos, and the copper beech (one of my favourite trees) is really wonderful right now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very sorry to hear of this, Brian! I hope no further damage will be done at any rate, but it must make the time feel rather dark and distressing. Thanks for sharing the beauty of the autumn leaves!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry to hear this Brian. It is not just the monetary issue, but the invasion of your home. The shadow photos are lovely. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, how awful. I am so sorry. Toolshed crime is on the increase, we have frequent outbreaks here. My son-in-law saved up for an expensive hedgetrimmer and it was stolen the day after he first used it. I suppose it is easier and less risky than breaking into a house and these days just as profitable. The idea of drones is awful, I am surprised they are legal.
I love your shadow pictures.
LikeLike
I feel for your son-in-law Chloris. The police would like them banned although of course they find them useful.
LikeLike
It’s such a horrible feeling when this happens Brian as it has to me both with sheds at home (we were on holiday at the time) and at the allotment. I had considered before that Google maps might be abused by burglars but not drones, which I also think should be banned. I’m glad that all that fabulous autumnal colour is providing you with some cheer.
LikeLiked by 1 person