Theft

[comloulou]

I need help from you fine people. Someone is stealing clothes from my washing line when Im not around. A black skirt and a cream bra on the first occasion and a replacement black skirt this weekend. Apart from calling the police, who lets face it wouldnt consider running unless it was a Al quada operative stealing my undies for a missile catapult, any ideas as to what I can do about this?

[Luigitoo]

Buy a really cheap black skirt and sprinkle it with itching powder from a joke shop. Believe me, they will think twice after that!

[mikewall01]

If it's a feasible option for you, rig up a cctv connected to a video recorder and controlled by a motion sensor. This can be done for less than �100. You may lose more than that value of clothing if you are unable to stop the menace.

[Miss Zippy]

Cunningly disguise a wasp's nest in your bra. That'll teach the so-and-so.

[Toglet]

Unfortunately the only thing to do is not leave your washing out when you're not there. It's a sad world, sometimes.

[ANUSHIKA]

Wait in hiding for them and then jump out at them with a bat thats what I would do

[LordAlmighty]

what mikewall01 said or hold a stake out, put out the washing and hide in your house and watch and tape it.

[parkhead]

Have you asked your neighbours if they have lost any washing in this way? You could try to keep a look out for each other if it is a neighbourhood problem. Or the next black skirt you hang out, give it a rub on your loft insulation first they won't see the tiny fibres but boy will they feel them, itchy hands galore! ( Slight variation on the itching powder theme, only slightly nicking your idea ;))

[templeman]

Poor old Toglet who says *the only thing to do* is to give in to a thief. Thankfully others have given you some more constructive advice. I'd go for the Mikewall suggestion just to give myself the satisfaction of being able to catch the blighter by filming him / her red handed.

[Phantaxus]

Lidl have a CCTV setup in this week for 65 quid buy one hook it up to a long play video and see what you catch

[comloulou]

Thank you all Ive called the police who didnt laugh and im considering buying an air rifle

[Toglet]

So templeman thinks keeping your property safe is giving in to a thief! I assume his car is left unlocked and his front door wide open when he is out.

[sft42]

Having given this one some thought (unlike me i know but hey) why note try this.....type out a note writing down how this is distressing you and pin it to your washing line asking the person not to do this please......heck it might not work at all but as it wasn't just underwear i would say there is a compulsion driving the person to steal female clothing and (assuming it is a he) he might be having a hard time facing up to this...putting your side of the problem may stop it all.......hope you get it sorted out one way or another.

[darth vader]

a slight variation to sft42's idea - you pin a note to your line saying "dear thief you are now being filmed on cctv. If you decide to walk away with nothing now you will not receive any further action, failing that your theft will be sent on tape to the local police". You don't even need a CCTV system! (How is the burglar going to know?). Hello folks Darth is back - Cornwall was fannnnntastic - blimey wasn't it hot last 2 weeks?