Is This Trespass?

[Bigbad]

A few days ago I phoned and paid for a delivery of domestic heating oil.
The company were supposed to text me the day before delivery, so that I could unbolt one of the side gates.
I didn’t get a text, but today I got the delivery.

I have two side gates with bolts at the top and the bottom, and 2 electric gates leading on to the property from the road. All gates are tall and solid wood and you cannot see into the back of the property from the road.
The top bolt on one gate has been opened, obviously by someone reaching over the top, but wouldn’t open because of the unreachable bottom bolt.

I have absolutely no idea how he got himself (and his hose) onto my property, but this has rather spooked me knowing that there was someone in my garden whilst I was indoors, and I didn’t know that he was there, nor how he got there. (I’m very rural with only one near neighbour, but not near enough to bother about).

I intend phoning the company in the morning, and really, all I want is to make them understand how wrong I think this is, but if I could mention any legal reasons why it shouldn’t have happened, then they may take me seriously.

Thanks.

[Peter Pedant]

I agree being burgled is distressing having been burgled four times in my life.
I think if you see them you ring the police and see if they are interested

big fella had not hired burglars to replenish his oil stocks so to a large extent it is not the point

[Bigbad]

Thank you poorclare.
Although i appreciate everyone’s input, and the fact that no law seems to have been broken, I’m rather surprised that people seem to think it’s OK that a stranger got in the garden through locked gates.

Thank you woofgang, but all the big oil companies in my area all seem to be the same company, but with different names, and the independents are so much more expensive.

Eddie - your ‘if it worries you that much’ post is rather dismissive, I do hope you never feel that your privacy has been invaded.

Peter Pedant, the user name is BIGBAD and I am a ‘she.’

[poorclare]

No Peter Bigbad paid to have Oil delivered NOT for someone to trespass on her property.

[douglas9401]

This can all be sorted by moving to Scotland where we have no law of trespass, or burglars come to that.

[Peter Pedant]

woodburner

instal a wood burner - problem solved

[Old_Geezer]

Burglars can work out easy targets for themselves.

[Peter Pedant]

they certainly can OG
that is why I love people parking on my drive

as it shows occupation erm when it isnt ( occupied )

[balliali]

I'd say the oil delivery man went above and beyond the call of duty, and I'd be very happy with his service. He was very considerate to think that perhaps you were "out" of oil, and he made sure he got you filled up again. Not many people in any trade would go to the extremes he did for a customer. In my rural area, t's the kind of good turn that is much appreciated, and I don't know why it spooked you. You asked for oil, you got it at great inconvenience to the driver. He deserves a medal, not an inquisition on an onlne forum!

[mikey4444]

Bigbad...to be honest, I think you are making a fuss over nothing here.

That driver probably has a very busy schedule and acted with some initiative, in order that you had your order, at this crucial time of year. The very nature of oil central heating is that it is mostly used by people living in rural areas, and the drivers have to resourceful.

Did he not knock on your door ? And why didn't you notice him in your garden ...after all you were expecting a delivery ?

[woofgang]

But I would be worried too if someone got into my garden while I was in the house and I didn’t know they were there....I agree that the oil delivery person meant no harm (although if texting was part of the setup then they should have texted) Its the loss of confidence in my security that would worry me.....

[Bigbad]

Mikey. "Did he knock on your door."
I don't know, I'm deaf and only make a point of listening out if I am expecting something. I wasn't expecting the delivery, as they didn't contact me.

"Why didn't you notice him?
Because the part of the garden where the oil tank is, cannot be seen from the house.

I'll not bother to contact the company, as the replies on here suggest it would be futile, and of course I know he meant no harm.

To those that understood my uneasiness about this, thank you.

To those that didn't, then I guess you don't mind having strangers forcing their way on to your property (to me, a locked gate says "stay out" not "come in"), and I assume you don't value your privacy as highly as I do.

[Hopkirk]

Big bad, I suggest you do contact the company, but in a constructive way so it doesn't happen again.

Make sure they record the fact that you are deaf, so they understand the importance of texting you. I am sure the driver would prefer not to have to risk injury climbing over, when you are there to let him in.

They did fail to do what they promised, and should be told.

[mikey4444]

Bigbad...I wasn't aware that your were deaf, so please accept my apologies.

There are devices on the market especially made for deaf people that use bright, flashing lights instead of noises to alert you.......perhaps it would help you ?

Do you have notice on your gates to alert people ?

Its easy to see why the text message might have gone astray, so perhaps an enquiry with the oil firm might help in the future....perhaps some kind of standing instructions associated with your address would assist in future deliveries.

[Smowball]

Do you have a massive house? I used to have oil central heating and it's a huge lorry that turn up and they make quite a commotion doing it, plus all your locked gates too? Just wondering how you didn't hear a thing?

[mccfluff]

i think i would ring and ask them to ask how he did it - he has managed to bypass a security measure of yours and i don't think its unreasonable to want to know how he did, in order that you can review.

[SnookerPlayer]

Best of luck with your next order, I would boycott you.

[naomi24]

In my opinion you're making too much of it. I think the delivery driver just wanted to get your oil to you. It is January and pretty chilly out so he probably thought he was doing you a favour - and if you were out of oil he would have been doing you a favour. (I live in the middle of nowhere too).

[gness]

Hi, Big....I agree with Fluff......don't make it a complaint....just contact the company...explain you are deaf and thought your security was fairly tight but now know it's not....

Could they do you a favour by letting you know how the guy accessed your property so you can improve on your security....which is really what you want, I guess.....

Make it light and jolly and you're more likely to get some help.....I was light and jolly with a wine company last week.....free wine!...Bliss....x

[Canary42]

Why don't you install CCTV ?

[Bigbad]

Smowball, my post at 10:02 explains why I didn't hear a thing.
And Snooker-Player, I really couldn’t give a flying one what a moron like you would do.