Ideas on catching vandals

[Wrayza]

Hey fellas

I woke up thismorning to find a ****ing letterbox top (one of the metal ones) on the bonnet of my bloody car. It's left a fairly deep scratch and I'm not happy about it because my paintjob was almost immaculate. It looks like it may cut out and be hidden after another polish...

Anyway as well as a letterbox on my car, at least 15 other letterboxes have been pushed over in the next street. I'm talking brick rendered letterboxes here, and there smashed all over the footpaths, its disgusting.

This sort of sh!t is happening more frequently in my street and I know its the same group of 3-4 16 year olds (spotted them in 2005 on new years, long story). People in our street have had their cars keyed, I've had dog sh!t smeared on mine, letterboxes, christmas lights ruined.. The list goes on.

So I thought I'd rant about it, and I really would appreciate ideas on how to catch these bastards. Has anyone had similiar things happen in their street and caught the culprits? Or ideas for some sort of setup/trap that can warn me?

I'm off to cut, polish and wax my bonnet, cheers guys!

Mike

[ssmate]

well dependin on how offten they do it and how patient u can be?
if u know a night that the **** always happens on!
ie: fri . . . . id just sit and wait in my car ( i know boring) but if u want to get them
when u hear/see see them approching jump out and grab one of the lil pricks!
even invite a mate to share the boring moment with u lol, got more of a chance to catch em too!
either give him a good beating or ring the cops on him!
im sure the rat would lag in his mates aswell

[adam69]

Just need to sit and wait,try and work out when they do it.You only need to catch one and belt the **** out of him.Dont play nice,they dont.

[Bravotwozero]

Surveillence cameras with motions sensors will do the trick. Also install some sensor lights so that the area your car is parked in lights up like Las Vegas!

[MikesVT]

^ what he said!

I wouldn't go beating them up, coz then you'll be the one gettin in trouble for it. See if the cops will do anything, if they dont... Then do what you gotta do

[Weissen]

Yep, get on Ebay and get yourself what's called a "trail cam".
Hunters in the US use them to monitor tracks thru the bush for any game that might be wandering past.
The trail cam has a built in motion sensor can be left on for weeks and is camoflaged. You just tie it up in a tree or somewhere where it can't be seen and got at.
Some use a film camera and others are digital.
These devices will provide you with photographic evidence that can be used in a prosecution to stop these little ****s and allows you to remain anonymous.

Whatever you do, don't go beating people up, the law takes a very dim view of this sort of thing and getting yourself a record for the rest of your life for a smashed letterbox or some scratched paint is not worth it.
A criminal record is not something to be laughed at. It WILL affect the kind of jobs you can apply for, any secutity clearances you might need or already have, possibly your credit rating and any further dealings with the law you may have in the future FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Don't do it.

Fight the clever fight, get a camera and give THEM the record with the law that they deserve.

[Phreddy]

Fight the clever fight, get a camera and give THEM the record with the law that they deserve.

I heartily agree, but the trouble is because they're "children" under the law, they DON'T get punished, and their record is expunged when they turn 18!

Sometiomes a bloody good hiding is good enough. Or find out where they live and smear dog-do on their OLD MAN"S car! When asked why, you can simply say you're returning the compliment. Let his old man give him the hiding!

[pro_gmh]

wait for them and then beat the **** outta them, then when the cops come deny deny deny and say it was boud to happen sooner or later, look at what they do to the street.