Paranoid in the New Forest?

[1963cockney]

This is a bit of a ramble, but bear with me….

In my car, I carry a notice that I put in the windscreen, when I leave my car at any of my permissions that says “Danger - Vermin Shoot in progress, in case of query or concern contact Andy on xxxxx”
The idea is that if anyone was to go on to the premises (although they should check with the land owner 1st who would notify me), they will at least be aware I am on site.

I was at a local permission Friday night, and I tend to park outside this farm, against the gates to the public car park (The Farm owner has land both side of this road). This is for a couple of reasons :–
1. Not many people are aware, but the farmer has a CCTV Camera pointed at the entrance
2. I would need to open multiple gates and keep getting in and out of the car if I bought the vehicle inside the main area of the farm as it were.

I was sitting in the barn, minding my own business, when I received a call from a Police Officer saying they had received a report my vehicle had been seen hitting a road sign then driving away with the bumper hanging off.
The officer was outside the farm so I went out to meet him (without the rifle).

My car was there and intact. When I asked where this accident was supposed to have happened, he confirmed – “here at Longdown”. There was no damage to the car and I said I could provide CCTV footage if necessary to prove when I arrived and that the car hadn’t moved since (The farmer even phoned me whilst I was talking to the police to ask what was going on as he was watching on the camera).

The Officer then asked “do you know any reason someone would report this?” To which I answered “I have no idea”.
We left it at that and I went back to sit in the barn, to wait for Roland to make an appearance.

I assumed it was a case of mistaken identity and mentioned this to the family the following day at breakfast. Then my 19 year old daughter piped up “maybe someone doesn’t like shooting and thought that if the police turned up, they could find something wrong with your car”.

As it happens, the car was MOT’d on 1st June so no issue there, but the fact the Officer did give the car a good look over, has now got be thinking. Was it a case of mistaken identity (although they quoted my car make, colour and registration) or possibly an anti?

It does make you think.

I may have to start parking inside the farm, or change the sign to say something along the lines of “On land, with permission. Contact Andy on xxx”

I just wished I had asked if it was an anonymous call …I didn’t think about it at the time.

Do any of you put anything in your cars to warn people what you are doing on site?
Thanks
Andy

[Murphy]

I wouldn't put anything in my car ever.

Its nobody else's business what I am doing on private land.

[bighit]

And next time you could come back to a trashed car and only hooded people caught on cctv.

[fieldandtarget]

Surprised you didn't realise it was malicious what happened
The police should charge whoever went out of their way to do this with wasting police time.maybe you should get back in touch with them?
Personally I wouldn't advertise what I was doing.It would be so easy to be followed home...

[where's it gone]

A lot of hassle because you advertised that you were shooting. Live and learn, but did you get 'Roland' ?

[vestlenning]

Best not leave any note on the car in the furure.

[phil384]

Surprised you didn't realise it was malicious what happened
The police should charge whoever went out of their way to do this with wasting police time.maybe you should get back in touch with them?
Personally I wouldn't advertise what I was doing.It would be so easy to be followed home...

If only. There has be be certain amount of time and resources wasted for it to meet the threshold, and it's a lot. Something like this wouldn't meet it. No chance. even if it did, the police don't give the authority to charge, the CPS do. And getting them charge anybody with anything, particularly something like wasting police time is difficult.

[fieldandtarget]

If only. There has be be certain amount of time and resources wasted for it to meet the threshold, and it's a lot. Something like this wouldn't meet it. No chance. even if it did, the police don't give the authority to charge, the CPS do. And getting them charge anybody with anything, particularly something like wasting police time is difficult.

A police caution?

[phil384]

A police caution?

Isn't a charge

[pavling]

Do any of you put anything in your cars to warn people what you are doing on site?

Nope. Wouldn't dream of it.
It's no-one's business apart from the landowner why I'm there, and they know when and why.

[scoie]

As mentioned i wouldnt highlight the fact i was shooting however in this day and age you cant do right for doing wrong.

Just out of interest and not stirring but could you/would you get in trouble for leaving the rifle unattended when you went to speak to the Officer? I m sure it was in a safe place/ locked away / kept with a buddy. im just thinking that the officer might then say ' well wheres your rifle, where have you left it etc etc' , espically if the officer isnt savvy with airgun/firearm legislation
rgds
craig

[manxteddy]

I do not put my BASC sticker on dislay in the vehicle.
Who's following behind.
Oh the house holder must have guns !!
Best to be careful even though there a lots of wildfowlers etc in my village.
Graham

[airwolf1]

I think such a sign is initially a good idea but sadly there are too many tea leaves around that may break into the car just to see if any guns have been left inside. Or the bunny huggers that will run a key down the car etc. Sadly this can happen, shame because no note will mean other law abiding people will end up worrying as to why the car is there and report it! cant win

[rhyslightnin]

Maybe the compromise here is to put a sign in the window that says:
"Working in (insert place here) implementing habitat management, any problems please call (insert mobile here) thanks".
You can buy a pay as you go phone as cheap as £20 nowadays so you don't even need to use your daily number