You don't know what you don't know...

[Ewan Scott]

We had a rude awakening last night.

We have become accustomed to parents dropping kids off whether we have
arived at the HQ or not. It hasn't really bothered us too much, the
village is relatively quiet, we don't have a vandalism/ yob problem in
our near vicinity.

However, last night as we were opeing up and kids were arriving I
noticed somethiong in the undergrowth to the side of the hall. At
first I thought it was one of the scouts playing silly games. Then
something made me look again. There was something furtive about
whoever was hiding in the bushes.

So I came round behind him and asked him what he was doing. He lied,
and I asked him to leave. as he stood up he piced up a pair of
binoculars / they may have been night vision - and I saw that he was
dresed in camo gear from head to foot, camo make up, and SAS type
wolly hat.

He ran across the road ind into the field opposite. I phoned the
Police, and Fiona walked across the road to see where he had gone. He
had been hiding behind a wall and as she approached he up and ran off.

Now, we don't know why hw was there, but he lied about what he was
doing, he concealed himself, and it coincided with an overnight stay
we had planned ( did he know that?)

Now, he was well concealed and it was only chance that I saw him. How
often has he ben there? We don't know. It may just be a one off. he
may have been practising survival skills. he may have been checking
out the building for a robbery, he may have been something else
completely.

We are now revisiting security and reminding parents not to leave kids
unattended at the hall, and to make sure that they are chaperopned/
collected at the end of the night - at least until we get lighter
nights again.

It really reminded me that we don't know what we don't know, if you
get what I mean.

We are now looking at further enhancing our security by removing
potential hiding places and introducing more lighting. What esle can
we do? We cannot account for every loony. BTW, took the Police 45
minutes to respond to a potential threat to child safety! i should
have told them I thought he had a gun and they would have had the
whole bloody force with us in five minutes!

Ewan Scott

[James5pb]

This is precisely the thing we all need to be watching out for in this
day of age. It seems that you don't know what he was doing there but it
is pretty obvious he was spyign on something using those binoculars.
Outside our hut we have hedges which frequently bring attention to the
leaders normally its just scouts messing around but we have all got to
be careful. We have the added adantaged of a large perimeter metal
fence around the hut but we do have boys waiting just before the
meeting. This just highlights that we should all be vigilant and ensure
that scouts are never left alone outside the hut without parents and/or
leaders. It sure is a shame that we have to worry about sick minded
cretins.

James

[Paul Harris]

Post by Ewan Scott
So I came round behind him and asked him what he was doing. He lied,
and I asked him to leave. as he stood up he piced up a pair of
binoculars / they may have been night vision - and I saw that he was
dresed in camo gear from head to foot, camo make up, and SAS type
wolly hat.

Sounds like a wannabe who thought that by getting all the gear he would
become an expert.

Post by Ewan Scott
He ran across the road ind into the field opposite. I phoned the
Police, and Fiona walked across the road to see where he had gone. He
had been hiding behind a wall and as she approached he up and ran off.

So you sent Fiona to sort him out, what does that tell us. Still he ran
which says that he was probably scared so either she is real scary
or...............
<snip>

Post by Ewan Scott
We are now looking at further enhancing our security by removing
potential hiding places and introducing more lighting. What esle can
we do?

High voltage electric fences, guard dogs or just leave Fiona at the
Scout hut.

VBG ;-)

[Ewan Scott]

On Sat, 25 Feb 2006 15:28:51 +0000, Paul Harris

Post by Paul Harris

Post by Ewan Scott
So I came round behind him and asked him what he was doing. He lied,
and I asked him to leave. as he stood up he piced up a pair of
binoculars / they may have been night vision - and I saw that he was
dresed in camo gear from head to foot, camo make up, and SAS type
wolly hat.

Sounds like a wannabe who thought that by getting all the gear he would
become an expert.

Post by Ewan Scott
He ran across the road ind into the field opposite. I phoned the
Police, and Fiona walked across the road to see where he had gone. He
had been hiding behind a wall and as she approached he up and ran off.

So you sent Fiona to sort him out, what does that tell us. Still he ran
which says that he was probably scared so either she is real scary
or...............

Fiona is a VERY scary lady. The kids say she is Scary at 250 miles -
long story :-)

Ewan Scott

[GAGS]

Post by Ewan Scott
We had a rude awakening last night.
We have become accustomed to parents dropping kids off whether we have
arived at the HQ or not. It hasn't really bothered us too much, the
village is relatively quiet, we don't have a vandalism/ yob problem in
our near vicinity.

Happens in a lot of places. When I was in a group I always tried to arrive
15 mins early but even then there would be kids present. Some turned up
early so they could have mess around with their mates before the meeting
while some were there because their parents were off out somewhere and
they'd been dropped off on the way.

Post by Ewan Scott
However, last night as we were opeing up and kids were arriving I
noticed somethiong in the undergrowth to the side of the hall. At
first I thought it was one of the scouts playing silly games. Then
something made me look again. There was something furtive about
whoever was hiding in the bushes.

Ooh er! Very strange.

Post by Ewan Scott
So I came round behind him and asked him what he was doing. He lied,

What did he give as a reason?

Post by Ewan Scott
and I asked him to leave. as he stood up he piced up a pair of
binoculars / they may have been night vision - and I saw that he was
dresed in camo gear from head to foot, camo make up, and SAS type
wolly hat.

Wow! How very, very strange. What was your initial reaction? I bet you were
gobsmacked!

I know you get these types at wargame and paintballing events, but you don't
expect to find them lurking in the bushes next to a scout HQ.

Did you get a good look at him? I assume it was an adult and not just some
kid/teenager?

Post by Ewan Scott
He ran across the road ind into the field opposite. I phoned the
Police,

Quite right to do so.

Post by Ewan Scott
and Fiona walked across the road to see where he had gone.

Probably on reflection that wasn't the best course of action. What if he'd
been a totally deranged nutter and armed rather than just a nutter? Always
only investigate with a back-up! You should never tackle an intruder on your
own unless it's a matter of life and death and you really have to do so.

Post by Ewan Scott
He
had been hiding behind a wall and as she approached he up and ran off.

Wow, how very, very, very strange!

Post by Ewan Scott
Now, we don't know why hw was there, but he lied about what he was
doing, he concealed himself, and it coincided with an overnight stay
we had planned ( did he know that?)

I'd be interested in knowing what reason he gave for his behaviour! He
wasn't out birdwatching or something?

Post by Ewan Scott
Now, he was well concealed and it was only chance that I saw him. How
often has he ben there? We don't know. It may just be a one off. he
may have been practising survival skills.

Practising survival skills!! Oh yes that's something a lot of us do; get
dressed up in camo gear and scurry around the neighbours gardens SAS style.
Er, don't think so! That's the sort of stuff that'll get you arrested, even
if you genuinely are practising survival skills.

Post by Ewan Scott
he may have been checking
out the building for a robbery, he may have been something else
completely.

Whatever he was doing it was not normal!

Post by Ewan Scott
We are now revisiting security and reminding parents not to leave kids
unattended at the hall, and to make sure that they are chaperopned/
collected at the end of the night - at least until we get lighter
nights again.

Yes, this sort of thing means you're going to have to look at security quite
seriously.

Post by Ewan Scott
It really reminded me that we don't know what we don't know, if you
get what I mean.

I do!

Post by Ewan Scott
We are now looking at further enhancing our security by removing
potential hiding places and introducing more lighting. What esle can
we do?

Certainly get rid of potential hiding places and introduce more external
lighting. How exposed are you? Do you have a fence/gates around the HQ? How
easy is it to get into the grounds? Are you overlooked by neighbours who
maybe could keep an eye out for you? Maybe some fake notices - guard dogs,
surveillance cameras, etc? Obviously one could spend a fortune and go in for
8' spiked security fencing bedecked with razor wire and all the rest, but I
think that barricading yourselves in behind all this stuff is not something
you'd want to do. Makes scouting look very unfriendly and unwelcoming.

What's been the reaction of parents?

Post by Ewan Scott
We cannot account for every loony.

That's true.

Post by Ewan Scott
BTW, took the Police 45
minutes to respond to a potential threat to child safety! i should
have told them I thought he had a gun and they would have had the
whole bloody force with us in five minutes!

45 minutes is unacceptable. This is potentially quite a serious incident.
Okay so it may have just been your local 'harmless' weirdo/loon out on a
fantasy trip or dreaming he's James Bond on a secret mission, but it
could've been much worse.

If this is some local weirdo then they need to be stopped. God forbid, it
could be much worse and you could've been targetted by a local bunch of
paedo's.

If I was you I'd request an urgent meeting with the local Inspector to
discuss this matter. Any chance you could ask for an occasional drive-by
from the local panda? What about a visit from the local community beat bobby
and some advice on security? Can you give the police a description? Do they
have any intelligence of a weirdo/paedo gang operating locally? You also
need to complain most strongly about the response time! Okay so maybe 5 mins
response is out of the question or difficult but 45 mins is totally
unacceptable. Jeez Louise I could get nearly a third of the way to yours in
that time!

I think you also need to go through with the kids all the usual stuff: don't
talk to strangers, report anything you see suspicious, keep in two's, stay
in lighted areas after dark, etc.

Wow, I know you hear of these sorts of things happening, but you don't ever
expect them to happen on your doorstep.

Let's hope this guy gets caught.

GAGS

[Ewan Scott]

snip

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
So I came round behind him and asked him what he was doing. He lied,

What did he give as a reason?

Said he was collecting stones for his garden!

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
and I asked him to leave. as he stood up he piced up a pair of
binoculars / they may have been night vision - and I saw that he was
dresed in camo gear from head to foot, camo make up, and SAS type
wolly hat.

Wow! How very, very strange. What was your initial reaction? I bet you were
gobsmacked!

Bemused.

Post by GAGS
I know you get these types at wargame and paintballing events, but you don't
expect to find them lurking in the bushes next to a scout HQ.
Did you get a good look at him? I assume it was an adult and not just some
kid/teenager?

19 - 25 I'd guess.

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
He ran across the road ind into the field opposite. I phoned the
Police,

Quite right to do so.

Post by Ewan Scott
and Fiona walked across the road to see where he had gone.

Probably on reflection that wasn't the best course of action. What if he'd
been a totally deranged nutter and armed rather than just a nutter? Always
only investigate with a back-up! You should never tackle an intruder on your
own unless it's a matter of life and death and you really have to do so.

There were two other adults keeping watch

snip

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
We are now revisiting security and reminding parents not to leave kids
unattended at the hall, and to make sure that they are chaperopned/
collected at the end of the night - at least until we get lighter
nights again.

Yes, this sort of thing means you're going to have to look at security quite
seriously.

Post by Ewan Scott
It really reminded me that we don't know what we don't know, if you
get what I mean.

I do!

Post by Ewan Scott
We are now looking at further enhancing our security by removing
potential hiding places and introducing more lighting. What esle can
we do?

Certainly get rid of potential hiding places and introduce more external
lighting. How exposed are you? Do you have a fence/gates around the HQ? How
easy is it to get into the grounds? Are you overlooked by neighbours who
maybe could keep an eye out for you? Maybe some fake notices - guard dogs,
surveillance cameras, etc? Obviously one could spend a fortune and go in for
8' spiked security fencing bedecked with razor wire and all the rest, but I
think that barricading yourselves in behind all this stuff is not something
you'd want to do. Makes scouting look very unfriendly and unwelcoming.

All we can really do is improve lighting and remove what hiding places
we can - or make them as unhospitable as is posible - thorn bushes
etc.

Post by GAGS
What's been the reaction of parents?

Pleased that we were alert enough to spot him so far.

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
We cannot account for every loony.

That's true.

Post by Ewan Scott
BTW, took the Police 45
minutes to respond to a potential threat to child safety! i should
have told them I thought he had a gun and they would have had the
whole bloody force with us in five minutes!

45 minutes is unacceptable. This is potentially quite a serious incident.
Okay so it may have just been your local 'harmless' weirdo/loon out on a
fantasy trip or dreaming he's James Bond on a secret mission, but it
could've been much worse.

snip

Post by GAGS
If I was you I'd request an urgent meeting with the local Inspector to
discuss this matter. Any chance you could ask for an occasional drive-by
from the local panda? What about a visit from the local community beat bobby
and some advice on security? Can you give the police a description? Do they
have any intelligence of a weirdo/paedo gang operating locally? You also
need to complain most strongly about the response time! Okay so maybe 5 mins
response is out of the question or difficult but 45 mins is totally
unacceptable. Jeez Louise I could get nearly a third of the way to yours in
that time!

We will be raising the issue at the Area Committee meeting with the
liasion officer.

Post by GAGS
I think you also need to go through with the kids all the usual stuff: don't
talk to strangers, report anything you see suspicious, keep in two's, stay
in lighted areas after dark, etc.

Done that.

Post by GAGS
Wow, I know you hear of these sorts of things happening, but you don't ever
expect them to happen on your doorstep.
Let's hope this guy gets caught.

Let's hope it was nothing serious and that I am being overcautious.

Ewan Scott

[GAGS]

Post by Ewan Scott
snip

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
So I came round behind him and asked him what he was doing. He lied,

What did he give as a reason?

Said he was collecting stones for his garden!

Oh yeah!

Then why all the furtive messing around in the shrubbery? And why get all
dressed up ready to fight a war?

If he'd said he was out trying to spot the rare Lesser Spotted Huddersfield
Warbler then one might have been a little less suspicious, but collecting
stones for his garden! Why not pop down to the local garden centre? Or if
you are the only place in Britain where there's an outcrop of
diamond-encrusted millstone grit in a nice shade of purple, why didn't he
simply knock on the door and ask permission to gather some!?

Someone in your part of the world has got some serious screws loose!

But there again you never know these days.

Be prepared!

GAGS

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by Ewan Scott
snip

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
So I came round behind him and asked him what he was doing. He lied,

What did he give as a reason?

Said he was collecting stones for his garden!

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
and I asked him to leave. as he stood up he piced up a pair of
binoculars / they may have been night vision - and I saw that he was
dresed in camo gear from head to foot, camo make up, and SAS type
wolly hat.

Wow! How very, very strange. What was your initial reaction? I bet you were
gobsmacked!

Bemused.

Post by GAGS
I know you get these types at wargame and paintballing events, but you don't
expect to find them lurking in the bushes next to a scout HQ.
Did you get a good look at him? I assume it was an adult and not just some
kid/teenager?

19 - 25 I'd guess.

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
He ran across the road ind into the field opposite. I phoned the
Police,

Quite right to do so.

Post by Ewan Scott
and Fiona walked across the road to see where he had gone.

Probably on reflection that wasn't the best course of action. What if he'd
been a totally deranged nutter and armed rather than just a nutter? Always
only investigate with a back-up! You should never tackle an intruder on your
own unless it's a matter of life and death and you really have to do so.

There were two other adults keeping watch
snip

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
We are now revisiting security and reminding parents not to leave kids
unattended at the hall, and to make sure that they are chaperopned/
collected at the end of the night - at least until we get lighter
nights again.

Yes, this sort of thing means you're going to have to look at security quite
seriously.

Post by Ewan Scott
It really reminded me that we don't know what we don't know, if you
get what I mean.

I do!

Post by Ewan Scott
We are now looking at further enhancing our security by removing
potential hiding places and introducing more lighting. What esle can
we do?

Certainly get rid of potential hiding places and introduce more external
lighting. How exposed are you? Do you have a fence/gates around the HQ? How
easy is it to get into the grounds? Are you overlooked by neighbours who
maybe could keep an eye out for you? Maybe some fake notices - guard dogs,
surveillance cameras, etc? Obviously one could spend a fortune and go in for
8' spiked security fencing bedecked with razor wire and all the rest, but I
think that barricading yourselves in behind all this stuff is not something
you'd want to do. Makes scouting look very unfriendly and unwelcoming.

All we can really do is improve lighting and remove what hiding places
we can - or make them as unhospitable as is posible - thorn bushes
etc.

Post by GAGS
What's been the reaction of parents?

Pleased that we were alert enough to spot him so far.

Post by GAGS

Post by Ewan Scott
We cannot account for every loony.

That's true.

Post by Ewan Scott
BTW, took the Police 45
minutes to respond to a potential threat to child safety! i should
have told them I thought he had a gun and they would have had the
whole bloody force with us in five minutes!

45 minutes is unacceptable. This is potentially quite a serious incident.
Okay so it may have just been your local 'harmless' weirdo/loon out on a
fantasy trip or dreaming he's James Bond on a secret mission, but it
could've been much worse.

snip

Post by GAGS
If I was you I'd request an urgent meeting with the local Inspector to
discuss this matter. Any chance you could ask for an occasional drive-by
from the local panda? What about a visit from the local community beat bobby
and some advice on security? Can you give the police a description? Do they
have any intelligence of a weirdo/paedo gang operating locally? You also
need to complain most strongly about the response time! Okay so maybe 5 mins
response is out of the question or difficult but 45 mins is totally
unacceptable. Jeez Louise I could get nearly a third of the way to yours in
that time!

We will be raising the issue at the Area Committee meeting with the
liasion officer.

Post by GAGS
I think you also need to go through with the kids all the usual stuff: don't
talk to strangers, report anything you see suspicious, keep in two's, stay
in lighted areas after dark, etc.

Done that.

Post by GAGS
Wow, I know you hear of these sorts of things happening, but you don't ever
expect them to happen on your doorstep.
Let's hope this guy gets caught.

Let's hope it was nothing serious and that I am being overcautious.
Ewan Scott

[Stephen Rainsbury]

I told my Unit about this today and they were slightly concerned as access
to our HQ is off an alleyway that is lined with bushes belonging to the
Council on both sides. I don't think its going to be practical to search
them each week for all sections, it would take too long and we don't have
enough adults, but I think its time for the council to at least repair the
lights that have been broken for two years.

Why not repair them? Because they WANT the yobs to congregate there rather
than in the road and upsetting the residents. The trouble is that there is
nothing for kids to do near the old scout hut.

[unknown]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
I told my Unit about this today and they were slightly concerned as access
to our HQ is off an alleyway that is lined with bushes belonging to the
Council on both sides. I don't think its going to be practical to search
them each week for all sections, it would take too long and we don't have
enough adults, but I think its time for the council to at least repair the
lights that have been broken for two years.
Why not repair them? Because they WANT the yobs to congregate there
rather than in the road and upsetting the residents. The trouble is that
there is nothing for kids to do near the old scout hut.

What you need is one of those "Mosquito" devices that have been successfully
used to disperse groups of young people hanging around on street corners
(and outside shops).

The Mosquito emits a directional high-frequency sound that is annoying to
young people, but can't be heard by most people over 25. Apparently, it's
quite irritating to those that can hear it. it's got a relatively low cost -
about £600 - compared to upgrading fences, etc.

Sorry, I don't have a direct link. It's something I read about on the BBC
News web site, and the place where I work did some testing on it.

[Eddie Langdown]

Post by unknown
What you need is one of those "Mosquito" devices that have been
successfully used to disperse groups of young people hanging around on
street corners (and outside shops).
The Mosquito emits a directional high-frequency sound that is annoying to
young people, but can't be heard by most people over 25. Apparently, it's
quite irritating to those that can hear it. it's got a relatively low
cost - about £600 - compared to upgrading fences, etc.
Sorry, I don't have a direct link. It's something I read about on the BBC
News web site, and the place where I work did some testing on it.
--
MatSav

I would think a cheap radio tuned to Classic FM would deter teenagers even
quicker!

Eddie

[Ergoge the Niffirg]

On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 21:01:13 +0000 (UTC), "Eddie Langdown"

Post by Eddie Langdown

Post by unknown
What you need is one of those "Mosquito" devices that have been
successfully used to disperse groups of young people hanging around on
street corners (and outside shops).
The Mosquito emits a directional high-frequency sound that is annoying to
young people, but can't be heard by most people over 25. Apparently, it's
quite irritating to those that can hear it. it's got a relatively low
cost - about £600 - compared to upgrading fences, etc.
Sorry, I don't have a direct link. It's something I read about on the BBC
News web site, and the place where I work did some testing on it.
--
MatSav

I would think a cheap radio tuned to Classic FM would deter teenagers even
quicker!

Apparently they tried that but the teenage brain can tune out
classical music after a few minutes.

The mosquito device irratates the hell out of them.

--
George
Alas poor sig, I knew it well.

[David Patrick]

Post by Ergoge the Niffirg
On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 21:01:13 +0000 (UTC), "Eddie Langdown"

Post by Eddie Langdown
I would think a cheap radio tuned to Classic FM would deter teenagers even
quicker!

Apparently they tried that but the teenage brain can tune out
classical music after a few minutes.

The trouble with playing Classic FM is that after a few evening you get groups
of yoofs in Dinner Jackets and Evening Wear sitting round a silver service
eating Caviar and drinking Champagne!

Those empty champagne bottles are a real menace to society

[Eddie Langdown]

Post by David Patrick

Post by Ergoge the Niffirg
On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 21:01:13 +0000 (UTC), "Eddie Langdown"

Post by Eddie Langdown
I would think a cheap radio tuned to Classic FM would deter teenagers
even quicker!

Apparently they tried that but the teenage brain can tune out
classical music after a few minutes.

The trouble with playing Classic FM is that after a few evening you get
groups of yoofs in Dinner Jackets and Evening Wear sitting round a silver
service eating Caviar and drinking Champagne!
Those empty champagne bottles are a real menace to society
--
David Patrick
ADC (Communications)
Eastleigh District Scout Council
www.eastleigh-scouts.org.uk

Thankyou David... nothing like a nice chuckle before bedtime....
"Yoofs"
Eddie

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by unknown

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
Why not repair them? Because they WANT the yobs to congregate there
rather than in the road and upsetting the residents. The trouble is that
there is nothing for kids to do near the old scout hut.

What you need is one of those "Mosquito" devices that have been
successfully used to disperse groups of young people hanging around on
street corners (and outside shops).

We thought of that, downloaded the .wav file from soem new website and I
have an old High frequenct unit from my PA righ that could ealily be mounted
under the eves of the HQ, ah.. but who is inside the HQ?

:-)

[GAGS]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury
I told my Unit about this today and they were slightly concerned as access
to our HQ is off an alleyway that is lined with bushes belonging to the
Council on both sides. I don't think its going to be practical to search
them each week for all sections, it would take too long and we don't have
enough adults, but I think its time for the council to at least repair the
lights that have been broken for two years.
Why not repair them? Because they WANT the yobs to congregate there
rather than in the road and upsetting the residents. The trouble is that
there is nothing for kids to do near the old scout hut.

Why not try contacting your local councillor and ask for their support in
getting the jobs done?

Something like:

Dear Councillor,

It has come to our attention that the lights in the alley...

Oh sod it! No don't do it this way, try this:

Dear Plonker who's supposed to represent us on the council,

I've got a load of parents here who are concerned about the safety of their
kids. Now if you want to get re-elected next time, may I suggest you get off
your fat arse and get the ruddy council to fix these lights and cut back
these bushes. If you don't then you can kiss goodbye to all your council
expenses and collect your p45 next election time. And if something bad
should happen to one of our kids because you're still sitting on your fat
arse then I'll be calling in at the local rag's offices and will make sure
your name and the incompetence you've shown us is spread large over the
front page. And don't fob us off with the lame excuse about the residents,
we pay just as much as they do and probably put a lot more into the
community besides. So JFDI! Oh and have a nice day.

Kick some arse.

GAGS

P.S. Please don't use that tired old complaint: 'There's nothing to do round
here.......' I hate hearing that lame excuse!!!!! You know it isn't true!

[Gooders]

That's the spirit!

Just check who is responsible for the lights first - in our area it
would be the parish council who are unpaid volunteers (sound
familiar?). Bushes/hedges are generally the responsibilty of the
landowner although councils have the right to trim back
dangerous/obstructive hedges as a last resort.

Regards,

Stephen

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Post by GAGS
Dear Plonker who's supposed to represent us on the council,

The reply was something along the lines of "They are broken as a result of
constant vandalism and it is not council policy to continually spend money
repairing such damage. A study has been requested to find alternative
methods of lighting the alleyways of the borough and until that time we are
unable to take further action.

Oh yes I live round the corner and my wife says she doesn't want the yobs
back near us!!

Its funny through, the ones at the far end of the alleyway way (by the
Freemasons Hall) are fine.

[Alan]

Post by Stephen Rainsbury

Post by GAGS
Dear Plonker who's supposed to represent us on the council,

The reply was something along the lines of "They are broken as a result of
constant vandalism and it is not council policy to continually spend money
repairing such damage. A study has been requested to find alternative
methods of lighting the alleyways of the borough and until that time we
are unable to take further action.
Oh yes I live round the corner and my wife says she doesn't want the yobs
back near us!!
Its funny through, the ones at the far end of the alleyway way (by the
Freemasons Hall) are fine.
--
Stephen Rainsbury
ADC(Scouts) Gillingham Kent
ESL Agathoid Explorer Scout Unit
"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens" - Jimi Hendrix

perhaps the vandals are freemasons stephen LOL

[Jo]

Post by Ewan Scott
We had a rude awakening last night.
We have become accustomed to parents dropping kids off whether we have
arived at the HQ or not. It hasn't really bothered us too much, the
village is relatively quiet, we don't have a vandalism/ yob problem in
our near vicinity.
However, last night as we were opeing up and kids were arriving I
noticed somethiong in the undergrowth to the side of the hall. At
first I thought it was one of the scouts playing silly games. Then
something made me look again. There was something furtive about
whoever was hiding in the bushes.
So I came round behind him and asked him what he was doing. He lied,
and I asked him to leave. as he stood up he piced up a pair of
binoculars / they may have been night vision - and I saw that he was
dresed in camo gear from head to foot, camo make up, and SAS type
wolly hat.
He ran across the road ind into the field opposite. I phoned the
Police, and Fiona walked across the road to see where he had gone. He
had been hiding behind a wall and as she approached he up and ran off.
Now, we don't know why hw was there, but he lied about what he was
doing, he concealed himself, and it coincided with an overnight stay
we had planned ( did he know that?)
Now, he was well concealed and it was only chance that I saw him. How
often has he ben there? We don't know. It may just be a one off. he
may have been practising survival skills. he may have been checking
out the building for a robbery, he may have been something else
completely.
We are now revisiting security and reminding parents not to leave kids
unattended at the hall, and to make sure that they are chaperopned/
collected at the end of the night - at least until we get lighter
nights again.
It really reminded me that we don't know what we don't know, if you
get what I mean.
We are now looking at further enhancing our security by removing
potential hiding places and introducing more lighting. What esle can
we do? We cannot account for every loony. BTW, took the Police 45
minutes to respond to a potential threat to child safety! i should
have told them I thought he had a gun and they would have had the
whole bloody force with us in five minutes!
Ewan Scott

I usually only lurk on here, but the mention of police response to gun
threat reminded me of a letter I had from a relative. Names removed and
some details changed to protect identity etc..

'Must tell you another story, some strange people came one day, I was on
my own with *******. The business was closed at the time. They
eventually went away, but I was worried in case they came back they
might threaten to harm ******* if I didn’t give them what they wanted. I
rang the local Police station and asked if they would give me an
emergency number to ring as this place is isolated, nearest house is
****** and ***** and they were out. After speaking to the third person
in the Police department who told me I had a vivid imagination I lost my
temper in exasperation and told them not to put themselves out as I
would shoot anyone who came through my gate when it was closed. Well,
within 15 minutes out came two firearms officers. One proceeded to
lecture me and demanded my gun. I told him I hadn’t got one, only an old
air rifle in an outhouse which hadn’t been fired for years and years and
belonged to my husband. Oh! We need to speak to him – well yes I said,
go up to the church, you will find his grave on the left. Still the one
officer kept on so I hit him and told him to get through my gate, still
he kept on, so I hit him again, then I glanced at the other officer. He
was screwing his face in all directions trying not to laugh, so I gave
the gobby one another clout together with a few sharp words. When they
went I looked through the window and could see them both laughing their
heads off. I bet the one who was so amused went back to the station and
told them all an old woman had given his mate a good hiding. Word spread
and I am Calamity Jane and Annie Oakley.'


I bet if she had not been 'an old woman' the outcome may have been
different!
Jo

[v***@gmail.com]