[bamford6]

we had the same get some lenths off wood boards and put some long nails in and put them up by the hedge in the grass

[Daisy]

Just a thought Daveravey, not all cheaper ways are legal tho and in this litigious society you have to be careful

[Daveravey]

Yeah i know Daisy, like Gary's plank of wood   

[pottsie]

You may have already done it but don't forget to contact the police, they work on a system that directs patrols to reports made. You would also be surprised at how much property gets sold at auction by the police as they can't find the owner. If requested they can also send out a security officer for advice and even free kit.

Rob. 

[Cobra]

Never underestimate the power of a few signs saying CCTV alarms etc. Don't install trip or injury hazards unless you have extremal good liability insurance; natural obstacle's like your hedging is far more effective and not your liability for injury.

Depends on the areas size to the cost of installing security systems and their effectiveness and the right type.

Wish you well and really sorry for the intrusion and loss, makes yah sick  

[Sharondp]

Just reading this through and I have images of all sorts of devices akin to those used by Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone going through my mind! 

Sorry for the break-in hope you find the right solution.

[scotelf]

Theivin gits!
Police here had some shrieking alarm that they could get you, which  made a hell of a din if a shed door was opened and you didn't de-activate it within 3-5 seconds. It was under a tenner and easy to fit.

But I'm liking the 2 way baby monitor idea too. Do you have a big dog which could bark down it and say you were letting it out to come and get them?? 

[faith0504]

choice of jack russell or rottie, my money is on the jack russell she bosses us all

[little blue]

If you want me to record our GSD barking like a loony, just let me know!
Berberis is a good spikey hedge, and looks nice too...

cctv (even a sign and a good fake!) is needed...  just a relief nothing was taken 

[Helencus]

Thanks all really appreciate the support and tips. Whilst I'd love to put up some of the more injurous devices have to be careful not to get sued! Have reported to the police and they have been very helpful. Sent an officer round to patrol and offer advice are going to send a crime prevention officer to look over the stables and house asap given we are so exposed it's worrying me silly. Won't sleep tonight and what if someone comes for my piglets in January I will be devastated if any of my animals were injured or stolen.. Thankfully horses were in the far field out of sight and pigs were in arcs and chickens locked up. Whoever it was came for the power tools the police reckon as stables under construction still but worry they'll be back for other things.   

[faith0504]

wish there was more we could do to help. it must be a horrid feeling

[Helencus]

Thanks Faith we've been out several times tonight and done everything we can to secure things.. Not much more I can do until get power up there and lights CCTV etc up.

[faith0504]

hi how did it go last night are you all ok??

[Greenerlife]

A friend of mine used a thunderflash type thingy to deter unwanteds, but forgot it and set it off himself!  Scared the living daylights out of him!   

We've put up a camera and (so far) it has been very successful.  We even had one lot of fly tipping b@s!@rds who went down the lane and regularly chucked out slabs of stone all the way down except where the camera would have caught them!  Although to be fair, we also sit outside from time to time when we have a spate of fly tipping in particular, as they seem to follow a particular pattern. 

Horrible feeling when someone nicks stuff from you though.

[morri2]

Do you have a dog? - someone only has to pass the front gate by the lane and ours is barking away madly.  Obviously this won't work if you have a house dog and the stable is a long way from the house.  Ours has a kennel by the house and ears like radars.  She actually very soft but anyone trying to break in wouldn't know that.  The amount of delivery men which have been too scared of her to enter the property is quite amazing - they sit in their vans and pip the horn instead.