Theft!

[chestnut]

we don't have many thefts from our little patch of wood - as we are fenced in and have several locked gates leading up to the main access into the site

we have had uninvited visitors though - causing much damage to locks and chains as they try to get in

 

a mate of ours has had a load of timber pinched from his site - and we have just lent him some heavy duty cables (i think my dad got them off a trawler)

 

he is going to lay the cables on the ground, stack his timber on them - then bring the cable ends over the top of the timber stack and lock them together

 

this probably won't stop an organised gang - but it will deter some or at least slow them down

 

the cameras are a good idea - but they have to be well hidden and out of sight - else they will get nicked too

[TRADITIONAL LOGGERS]

I hate log thieves. The classic one we had on a site beside a main road was a posh woman pull up in an expensive BMW and opened the boot and start loading up sawn logs. When I asked what she was doing the response was "Oh I did not realise you wanted them".

 

A different time some lads on a Friday afternoon who worked for the local water company (signs on van) loaded up a large amount of wood from our work site and were seen by someone who knew us and the Police were called. The vehicle was impounded with its trailer and mini digger for 48hrs and a large release fee charged. We gave them a big bill for loss of wood and time which the Police gave then 24hrs to pay or be charged with theft. The firm who employed them sacked them for theft.

 

Good result as wood vanishing has stopped at present so it must have been them often.

 

Covert items on DEBEN.com | Home Hide in the wood with a auto paint ball gun to prove who and which vehicle was on site.

 

There are some additional methods by I cannot post on an open forum for risk of being sued/informing possible log thieves. PM if you wish.

Edited December 22, 2010 by TRADITIONAL LOGGERS
More Info

[garth mc garth]

had 2 artic loads go missing, christmas time about 2 years ago. all extracted and stacked on hard standing down a private road. went down there a few days later and the whole lot was gone! padlock still untouched, gate hinges untouched so it had to have been lifted over the fence with a machine sitting on the road and the fact there was no saw dust meant they took it in whole tree lengths.

[Big J]

I find theft of timber pretty damn disgusting. I fortunately have not been at the receiving end of it yet, and thankfully my wood stores for home are tucked away deep in a country estate. What goes through peoples mind when they are nicking it? I mean, you will get completely average folk just helping themselves to it - do these same people just wander into Sainsbury's, fill their trolley and walk out? "I'm sorry, I didn't realise that you wanted it" wouldn't cut it there!

[Andy Collins]

We were talking about the OP's theft today on the way to site to remove approx 5tons of 3mtr timber. Guess what, half of it wandered off overnight:thumbdown:

[iainarkle]

Been thinking about this having arrived at a site and seen half the stack gone! About 5t's. This would only work if you know who / where the logs have gone! Spray a UV paint on them and take a UV light to see who / if the person you suspect has taken them. Just a thought. I like the CCTV idea although could get pricey setting up and managing every stack.

[big fell!]

Not on the same scale as you guys but...We have a couple of woodlands dotted around our farms and plantations mostly Oak, Ash and Alder. The guys who work for us on the farm take wood out of there every March/April ready for the winter. I have caught people 3 times just helping themselves to OUR wood. Mad is not the word. Its just stealing other peoples property. Grr

[firewood]

lastr year i set up an honesty box at the end of my track for bags of logs and kindling. Iwas taking about £90 a day and collecting the cash twice a day and restocking the bags.

 

one saturday was out all day. got back late, all logs gone all cash stolen.

 

this happened the following day as well.

 

I no longer operate the honesty box all due to one scumbag.

 

with regards to thefts from the forest...I think these will only increase as the costs of coal and oil increase.

 

 

One possible solution is to set up a nice pile of easy to handle birch and rig up a sensor that rings your mobile when tripped (a la Dean Lofthouse). Then hightail it up to the stack to catch them redhanded.

 

If they are taking artic loads at a time they are professional thieves and will be responsible for many other thefts.

 

 

also tell everyone you know about how you have "cameras and sensors everywhere". It may deter some thieves even if you have nothing installed.

 

Finally, if you do catch thieves and they are convicted name and shame them so we all know who they are.

[Stu3k]

Hello Folks

What about just the small micro DV camera's they got a voice/ noise activation switch , they a micro sd card and are about £17.00 is on amazon or fleabay(dont know if allowed )to say. They are tiny and easy to hide and give brilliant footage.

I use them on my mountain bike

[Robert_S]

Get 100lb fishing nylon and treble hooks, place them all around the logs so when they lift them the hooks go in there finger and the nylon tied to a tree.

 

My mate done it with his bonzai collection when they kept getting stolen, caught one gentleman lifting the trees and pots.

 

im not advocating this action only offering up a suggestion