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    Need help with home security

    Basically, I live next to some chavvy neighbours, their huge van reversed into my car and the tow hook destroyed the bumper.

    Confronted him, he said "you can't prove anything" then went on to make some thinly veiled threats saying "I've lived on this street for 10 years, you've barely moved here, no one on this street will back you" (been here for 4 years and unlike him, we actually own our house).

    It's getting pretty bad (to the extent my dad's considering getting some football friends to 'help') and we need some cheap security solutions in case he decides to try something or if he just hits the car again.

    The car is about 10 metres from the window, the camera will need to be able to work in all lighting conditions and I'll need as wide an angle as possible. the room it'll be in will have a PC in it so it can be wireless or USB. Can anyone reccomend me a camera I could use. Been looking at dedicated camera and they're too expensive, Any reccomendations for cheap solutions?

    #2
    When you say 'the room it'll be in will have a PC in it' do you mean that that camera will be inside? If so, an indoor camera near the window could work, but it would fail at night unless the area was well lit and you might get some distortion through the glass, which might affect any motion detection, which means you'll need the camera running 24 hours (which is nightmare if you have to look back through the footage to find anything).

    If you want a solid solution, I think you'll need an outside camera, but as you say they can be expensive as the need to survive all weather elements and work in the dark.

    But deterent might be a better approach. A dummy CCTV in a really obvious spot might work better and it'll be cheaper. Maplin sell some:

    Maplin is back with a huge range of power, computing, imaging & audio products. Visit the electronics specialist. Free UK delivery over £35.

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      #3
      Only trouble with a very visible solution is it could antagonise them. Last thing I want is for their kids to put on some hoodies and throw bricks at it. Also, you can real cameras for the price of those dummies.

      been looking at an infra red webcam but from what I gather, it'll probably be blocked by the window and only pick up visible light.

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        #4
        Well, to combat the dark, you could get something like this - it's very bright and is movement activated. Look on the same site for lower wattage versions.

        Also, if you have a PC and a webcam, you could get something like this. Pretty good price!

        Alternatively, maybe ask Big Seany to 'ave a word!
        Last edited by funkydan; 18-08-2008, 09:32.

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          #5
          Do you have a cellar?

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            #6
            Nah nothing underground. Can't really use a floodlight in the front garden, would be irritating as hell.

            I'm looking at going the webcam route, it's just a case of knowing if they'll focus at 5-10M or not so I can train it on the driveway. For the BG a dummy cam and a floodlight will be enough.

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              #7
              I'm all for the antagonising them way of handling this myself, I really can't stand people like this aand he's nothing but a bully!!!.
              Originally posted by abigsmurf
              I've lived on this street for 10 years, you've barely moved here, no one on this street will back you" (been here for 4 years and unlike him, we actually own our house).
              That could work to your advantage, after 10 years of him being there other people have surely realised what a knob he is by now and somebody is bound to of had the same crap as you have from him.

              What are the other neighbours like? Any chance you could get a bit of support from them too? I lived in a Coventry for a few months and the area was, how can I put it...less than friendly so not everywhere will be up to making a stand.

              If you think they might be OK you'll probably be surprised just what an effect it could have on him to see that he was the outsider and that other people in the community just aren't going to put up with his crap.

              It's really difficult to know what to suggest without knowing what the people and the place but if it's suitable, maybe organise a bbq and invite everybody except him and make sure you get his attention when it's happening and hopefully he'll act up in front of them all.

              After that I suggest bear traps, land mines and spike filled pits in the garden...possibly.

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                #8
                Originally posted by John Parry View Post
                After that I suggest bear traps, land mines and spike filled pits in the garden...possibly.
                That's the best solution! All out war.

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                  #9
                  To be honest I think he's a real arse, bording on scum and couldn't understand why any neighbours would like him. I've heard him hit his kids and his wife screams at the kids (my dad suspects he's hit his wife at one point but I've never seen any real proof of that and that's a dark alley to go down with no proof). However never underestimate the power of "oh he's the father of one of my son's friends" factor.

                  TBH I know next to nothing about the neighbours apart from this guy. Me and my dad keep ourselves to ourselves but I've personally had some problems in the past from kids on the street.

                  I've had my tires let down (and the valves taken out) when I was parked in the public parking area on our street but I don't think that in itself was targetted, just random kids. There was a stage where all the kids were calling me Matt Lucas (I'm fat! LOL!) and shouting little Britain quotes at me but that calmed down by a combination of me making it clear to the kids I knew they were taking the piss and didn't like it, Little Britain going out of fashion and one problem family on the street moving out.

                  In case you haven't guessed I live on a council house estate, one that has one of the worst reps in my town. I can't afford to assume that 'the community' won't side with him.

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                    #10
                    Put a sign up saying.....job centre....that may frighten them off

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                      #11
                      Originally posted by abigsmurf View Post
                      To be honest I think he's a real arse, bording on scum and couldn't understand why any neighbours would like him. I've heard him hit his kids and his wife screams at the kids (my dad suspects he's hit his wife at one point but I've never seen any real proof of that and that's a dark alley to go down with no proof). However never underestimate the power of "oh he's the father of one of my son's friends" factor.

                      TBH I know next to nothing about the neighbours apart from this guy. Me and my dad keep ourselves to ourselves but I've personally had some problems in the past from kids on the street.

                      I've had my tires let down (and the valves taken out) when I was parked in the public parking area on our street but I don't think that in itself was targetted, just random kids. There was a stage where all the kids were calling me Matt Lucas (I'm fat! LOL!) and shouting little Britain quotes at me but that calmed down by a combination of me making it clear to the kids I knew they were taking the piss and didn't like it, Little Britain going out of fashion and one problem family on the street moving out.

                      In case you haven't guessed I live on a council house estate, one that has one of the worst reps in my town. I can't afford to assume that 'the community' won't side with him.
                      This sounds like the start of a truly awesome kickboxer film...get down teh dojo STAT!!1

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                        #12
                        nevermind.
                        Last edited by SuperDanX; 18-08-2008, 13:39. Reason: pic no show hell

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                          #13
                          The Panasonic IP cams are very nice for approx. ?100. What is your budget?

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                            #14
                            What are you going to do with the footage?

                            You clearly haven't been to the police/council about this person yet, the minute you do the situation is going to escallate. Are you prepared for that? What is the end game you are after, to rid the street of him or to get out yourself?

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                              #15
                              Minor victory when I got home. He's put a load of sand in front of the drive where his van has leaked crap (some kind of tar/oil mix) in an effort to clean it up. Pretty much an admission he knows he'll get into trouble if that gets reported.

                              I haven't really gone to the council yet because we're lacking in solid evidence. If we complain, they go to him and he gets off scot free it probably will get even less pleasant as he'll feel he'll have permission to do what he likes. That's why if we go to the council, we need something solid. He could still escalate things after a fine/punishment but if something does happen, he'd be the prime suspect. If things get about the worst they can there are the previously mentioned 'football friends'...

                              In essense what I'd be happy with is us still hating each other but staying out of each others hair and him not damaging my car or at the very least paying for if he does.

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