Cars watching Houses

colaheart98

Apologies in advance if this is in the wrong Forum. I live in a housing estate with a road running down the centre dividing the estate in half but is not a busy or main road, in front of row of houses is an inlet where cars can pull in etc. I have noticed over the last two weeks two different cars pulled in here in the mornings, they are men in suits in the cars they are taking photos of the houses making notes and making calls. I am feeling so paranoid, but also a little scared by this. I am not sure who or what they are watching, but it is always on a weekday and before lunctime. Should I be concerened? I have noted the cars desciption but did not get the registrations.

Sierra Oscar

If there are people acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood, then you should notify the Gardai and they will investigate. There could be an innocent explanation, but no harm in reporting it either way.

djimi

Men in suits would suggest perhaps auctioneers or someone of that nature. However, Im inclined to agree; if they are there regularly taking pictures of your house then I would be taking their reg number and calling the Gardai.

I might actually be inclined to out and ask them just what they think they are doing, however how brave I might feel depends a lot on how rough they look!

colaheart98

I have thought the same perhaps auctioneers, bank staff or even revenue or SW watching someone but I would have expected they have more open tactics to catch fraudlent cases if they were watching someone on the street. On both occasions the driver was a man of a certain age and they did look rather respectable. I wanted to be brave and inquire what they were doing but wasnt brave enough

Shady Tady

colaheart98 wrote: »

I have thought the same perhaps auctioneers, bank staff or even revenue or SW watching someone but I would have expected they have more open tactics to catch fraudlent cases if they were watching someone on the street. On both occasions the driver was a man of a certain age and they did look rather respectable. I wanted to be brave and inquire what they were doing but wasnt brave enough

Do they eat donuts?

colaheart98

No Donuts!! They dont hang around for long enough..I could offer them a cup of tea next time!

foggy_lad

djimi wrote: »

Men in suits would suggest perhaps auctioneers or someone of that nature. However, Im inclined to agree; if they are there regularly taking pictures of your house then I would be taking their reg number and calling the Gardai.

I might actually be inclined to out and ask them just what they think they are doing, however how brave I might feel depends a lot on how rough they look!

I have walked up to people walking around my estate to find out who they were and why they were there. On two occasions after I had called the Gardai with their registrations.

Don't ever be afraid to approach people acting suspiciously in YOUR estate/neighbourhood!

MarkR

Not illegal, but certainly sounds a bit suspicious! Can you take the reg and give the local station a call? Unlikely to be for illegal activity, but better safe than sorry.

TheDriver

Ring cops, especially if there are kids around also. People need to realise they can't just hang around estates anonymously without good reason. I am sick of people coming into my estate just because its got a nice green or they want to learn to drive........

djimi

TheDriver wrote: »

People need to realise they can't just hang around estates anonymously without good reason.

Why cant they? Its one thing parking outside someones house and taking pictures, but an estate is a public place and you cant stop someone from entering it just because you dont feel they have good reason to be there.

Mrs OBumble

TheDriver wrote: »

Ring cops, especially if there are kids around also. People need to realise they can't just hang around estates anonymously without good reason. I am sick of people coming into my estate just because its got a nice green or they want to learn to drive........

Ahh, actually, they can unless asked to move on by a guard, or served with a trespass notice (or whatever they're called here).

If yiou don't like that, buy in a gated community.





That said, OP I agree with the advice to ring the guards, but use the local station number not the emergency one. And be aware that if you do it too often (eg every time a strange car parks in your estate), you will get a reputation as a nut-job and they will become less responsive to your calls.

The Muppet

TheDriver wrote: »

People need to realise they can't just hang around estates anonymously without good reason. I am sick of people coming into my estate just because its got a nice green or they want to learn to drive........

Why's That?

There could be many valid reasons for people to park up in estates.

SarahLil

Call the Gardaí if they Gardaí stop them and they've nothing to hide then no worries, better to be safe then sorry

JohnFalstaff

Revenue have started clamping down on people operating businesses from their home - hairdressers for example. I've heard other stories of Revenue employees on 'stakeout'... taking photos etc. Might be them?

Wabbit Ears

could well be social welfare checkers seeing if people who are claiming benefit or disability etc are actually heading off to work in the morning. Really, could be loads of things

pixbyjohn

colaheart98 wrote: »

Apologies in advance if this is in the wrong Forum. I live in a housing estate with a road running down the centre dividing the estate in half but is not a busy or main road, in front of row of houses is an inlet where cars can pull in etc. I have noticed over the last two weeks two different cars pulled in here in the mornings, they are men in suits in the cars they are taking photos of the houses making notes and making calls. I am feeling so paranoid, but also a little scared by this. I am not sure who or what they are watching, but it is always on a weekday and before lunctime. Should I be concerened? I have noted the cars desciption but did not get the registrations.

ALWAYS note the registration of the vehicle if you are concerned. It surprises me that many do not do this even though they post in forums about their concerns. Just do it as a precaution and ring the Gardaí if you are worried.

colaheart98

JohnFalstaff wrote: »

Revenue have started clamping down on people operating businesses from their home - hairdressers for example. I've heard other stories of Revenue employees on 'stakeout'... taking photos etc. Might be them?

I have a strong feeling they ''revenue'' are watching someone I am lucky not to be claiming anything at the moment, however even if somone nearby was its very sly tactics to spy on people rather than being upfront!

Thanks for the tips all, I shall defo be reporting to guards..I dont want to appeat like the local nutter, or Dot Cotton but in this case I feel there is good reason

The_Conductor

Revenue, Social Welfare, even Department of Agriculture inspectors- can all legitimately park in any public area and photograph any premises that is the subject of an ongoing investigation. They do not have to tell you what they are doing- they are obliged to identify themselves however, if challenged (nothing more). In any event- normally their security passes on the windscreen are more than sufficient to identify the occupants, without ever engaging them in conversation. Given the brief description you've given, and the time of day they're there- it sounds more like DSFA inspectors, than it does anyone.

Report them to the Gardai by all means- if you're suspicious- if they have a legitimate reason to be there- they will have no difficulty explaining it to any Garda- however, there is a strong likelihood that it'll be one of their colleagues there the following day- and perhaps not as conspicuously as they were.........

P. Breathnach

It could, as others have suggested, be Revenue or SW checking up on somebody. Another possibility is an insurance company investigating a claim. Or a mistrustful spouse/partner hiring a private investigator.

So if you are tax-compliant, are not claiming SW payments to which you are not entitled, have not made a dodgy insurance claim, and are not in a fragile relationship, then you probably should not worry.

TheDriver

The Muppet wrote: »

Why's That?

There could be many valid reasons for people to park up in estates.

Maybe its because I am in a "ghost" estate and you start noticing the same people coming in and out using it for reasons other than fair game. I think a driving school bringing lessons in because its quiet is not fair or alternatively groups bringing their dogs for a walk (they live outside the estate) and leave their crap everywhere

valerossi

Call the gardi or ask the men what their doing!
Theirs an idea a community watch tread on boards where people report suspicious cars and people in their community or even to let people know if local homes have been robbed?

djimi

TheDriver wrote: »

Maybe its because I am in a "ghost" estate and you start noticing the same people coming in and out using it for reasons other than fair game. I think a driving school bringing lessons in because its quiet is not fair or alternatively groups bringing their dogs for a walk (they live outside the estate) and leave their crap everywhere

Driving schools use estates up and down the country; its precisely because they are quiet roads is why they use them. Thats not going to change in this country any time soon.

Likewise people walking dogs etc. If they are causing a mess with their dogs then you can report them (for littering I think), but you cannot stop people using public roads for any purpose that they like (within the law of course).

The_Conductor

djimi is 100% correct.
If owners leave dog poop around the place- report them for littering.
You have absolutely no right to try to keep learner drivers- or anyone else- out of the estate though.

Santa Cruz

TheDriver wrote: »

Ring cops, especially if there are kids around also. People need to realise they can't just hang around estates anonymously without good reason. I am sick of people coming into my estate just because its got a nice green or they want to learn to drive........

It's a public place. So you have no right to tell people to leave or ask their business.

homingbird

You have Dealer's living in your estate & the men in cars are guards in unmarkeked cars.

TheDriver

Santa Cruz wrote: »

It's a public place. So you have no right to tell people to leave or ask their business.

I never said anything about asking them to leave. however having cars revving up and conking out constantly is annoying when you want to make some progress through the estate. The main gripe with driving schools is that all their clients come in with their own cars to practice also so its becomes very busy and hence we may as well live on the main road at times. An annoyance

djimi

TheDriver wrote: »

I never said anything about asking them to leave. however having cars revving up and conking out constantly is annoying when you want to make some progress through the estate. The main gripe with driving schools is that all their clients come in with their own cars to practice also so its becomes very busy and hence we may as well live on the main road at times. An annoyance

You could contact the driving school and ask them nicely to find somewhere else to bring their students, but somehow I doubt it will make a difference!

Wabbit Ears

djimi wrote: »

You could contact the driving school and ask them nicely to find somewhere else to bring their students, but somehow I doubt it will make a difference!

and they would ask you what specific incident you were complaining about..

gozunda

Santa Cruz wrote: »

It's a public place. So you have no right to tell people to leave or ask their business.

If there is suspicious activity you should report it to the relevant authority. A polite request as to how's things may remove unwanted or unsavory characters ts from your local area.

The_Conductor

Santa Cruz wrote: »

It's a public place. So you have no right to tell people to leave or ask their business.

If they are photographing you?

SEPT 23 1989

Did the car have two aerials? if not its the social welfare hunting down a bloke doing nixers or a single mother

digzy

Lads I hate to bust anyone's bubble but I note the 'call the gardai' nugget has popped up a lot. What on earth will they do, or ye expect them to do?

They'll do shag all. And even if they do look up a reg they will not tell you who owns it unless they're a mate and doing it off record. I've personal experience of this when a few lads from a not so popular "minority " gang were plonked outside the folks farm a few weeks ago. The local cops would disclose FA. My dad knew another guard who ran the reg.

pablo128

digzy wrote: »

Lads I hate to bust anyone's bubble but I note the 'call the gardai' nugget has popped up a lot. What on earth will they do, or ye expect them to do?

They'll do shag all. And even if they do look up a reg they will not tell you who owns it unless they're a mate and doing it off record. I've personal experience of this when a few lads from a not so popular "minority " gang were plonked outside the folks farm a few weeks ago. The local cops would disclose FA. My dad knew another guard who ran the reg.

No, They won't give out information, but they should send a patrol around to check them out. If they have a legitimate reason to be there, fine. If they don't, you can be sure they'll move onto new pastures once they realise the eye is on them.

mdebets

The_Conductor wrote: »

If they are photographing you?

Yes, unless the photographer is on private ground, or the one being photographed has an expectation of privacy (e.g. he is in his house, being photographed through an open window), you can't do anything about being photographed and these pictures being published.

gozunda

mdebets wrote: »

Yes, unless the photographer is on private ground, or the one being photographed has an expectation of privacy (e.g. he is in his house, being photographed through an open window), you can't do anything about being photographed and these pictures being published.

Anyone can report suspicious activity either to the Gardai / Neighbourhood watch / community alert / text service

I know if I found anyone taking pictures of my property I would report them straight away. As a deterrent take a photograph of them including licence plate and close up of the individual doing so. Should make them uncomfortable enough to back off in a hurry.

mdebets

gozunda wrote: »

Anyone can report suspicious activity either to the Gardai / Neighbourhood watch / community alert / text service

I know if I found anyone taking pictures of my property I would report them straight away. As a deterrent take a photograph of them including licence plate and close up of the individual doing so. Should make them uncomfortable enough to back off in a hurry.

Of course you can, everybody can report anyone to the Guards for doing anything, but the Guards can do nothing about the pictures of your property being taken.

mikemac1

Could well be one of Joan Burton's crew. A person claiming lone parents while their partner is there most every night is a well known fraud.

Or it may be someone doing work for an insurance company and the lad next door with the crippled neck was seen playing wing back for the local football team.

I don't think the gardai are going to help you. If it realy bothers you just approach and ask

gozunda

mdebets wrote: »

Of course you can, everybody can report anyone to the Guards for doing anything, but the Guards can do nothing about the pictures of your property being taken.

And so can the property owner by being proactive and discouraging any suspicious activity by reporting it and take a photo record of anyone doing same...not to many will hang around if they think you are taking a record and / or reporting them.

Anyone with any sense would ask permission in my opinion. Otherwise they risk being brought to the attention of authorities who may very well take an interest in their activities especially where it is repeated / interfering / pestering

Someone taking photographs for example of your property with children playing etc cannot expect to go unchallenged or unreported

Always a good idea to ask if you have any sense.

digzy

pablo128 wrote: »

No, They won't give out information, but they should send a patrol around to check them out. If they have a legitimate reason to be there, fine. If they don't, you can be sure they'll move onto new pastures once they realise the eye is on them.

I agree. The cops 'should' send a patrol. I wouldn't hold my breath.
I'm no legal expert, but it don't think the cops have a right to question someone sitting in their car ina public place.

gozunda

digzy wrote: »

I agree. The cops 'should' send a patrol. I wouldn't hold my breath.
I'm no legal expert, but it don't think the cops have a right to question someone sitting in their car ina public place.

Under the non fatal offences against the person Act - Section 10 provides:
“(1) Any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, by any means including by use of the telephone, harasses another by persistently following, watching, pestering, besetting or communicating with him or her, shall be guilty of an offence."

So someone who persistently sitting in a car and watching / photographing / observing another person could very well be committing an offence.

The public place bit is immaterial if they are obviously targeting a person or persons.

The other thing is that most people would be generally unhappy about their details being made known to the Gardai - reg number, description etc.

Cian92

mikemac1 wrote: »

Could well be one of Joan Burton's crew. A person claiming lone parents while their partner is there most every night is a well known fraud.

That's probably what it is alright. A woman I work with was caught claiming the lone parents allowance while her partner was living with her. She was told that they had sent a Private Investigator out to her house over a few weeks to prove that he was in fact living with her.

Santa Cruz

If you ring the Gardaí just say that you think these people are watching little girls going to school. You don't have to give your name. The Gardaí will check them out and if they remain there you will know that they aren't criminals. After that it's none of your business

P. Breathnach

Santa Cruz wrote: »

If you ring the Gardaí just say that you think these people are watching little girls going to school. You don't have to give your name. The Gardaí will check them out and if they remain there you will know that they aren't criminals. After that it's none of your business

What's the point in telling lies of that type? It's potentially defamation.

TheDriver

P. Breathnach wrote: »

What's the point in telling lies of that type? It's potentially defamation.

I concur. ring them with general suspicion

REXER

Turn the table on them. Get out there with your own camera and take some pics of them.

If you don't want them to know where you are then leave in your car, park in another street, walk back and take the pics!

Santa Cruz

TheDriver wrote: »

I concur. ring them with general suspicion

They'll respond quicker if you mention a risk to children. You are concerned about their activities, there are children in the estate. You are not saying that they are definetely targeting children but it's a possibility

P. Breathnach

Santa Cruz wrote: »

They'll respond quicker if you mention a risk to children. You are concerned about their activities, there are children in the estate. You are not saying that they are definetely targeting children but it's a possibility

The idea is appalling. People react very strongly to adults taking an inappropriate interest in children, and it is a serious step to suggest that anybody is doing so if you don't have a good foundation for your suspicions.

runawaybishop

Santa Cruz wrote: »

They'll respond quicker if you mention a risk to children. You are concerned about their activities, there are children in the estate. You are not saying that they are definetely targeting children but it's a possibility

Accusing people of being a paedophile, which is what you explicitly suggested, without an indication whatsoever is disgusting behaviour.

The_Morrigan

Santa Cruz wrote: »

If you ring the Gardaí just say that you think these people are watching little girls going to school. You don't have to give your name. The Gardaí will check them out and if they remain there you will know that they aren't criminals. After that it's none of your business

Santa Cruz wrote: »

They'll respond quicker if you mention a risk to children. You are concerned about their activities, there are children in the estate. You are not saying that they are definetely targeting children but it's a possibility

Please stop making these kinds of posts.