jlo Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 (edited) OH has taken a few days off so today we decided to go to The Look Out in Bracknell to do the Go Ape course and then to have a bike ride. OH hates bikes so he was going to run instead. Anyway - we did Go Ape which was brilliant. We have done a different course before but I wasn't as terrified as I thought I would be today. When we were waiting for our time, we noticed a lot of notices warning about car thieves so we went back to the car to make sure that we didn't leave any valuables in it. After aping around in the trees we went back to the car so that OH could change into his running stuff and we could get the bikes. In the forty minutes that we were gone, some low life has come along and smashed the window and taken OH's kit bag. I only hope that they really enjoy the smelly trainers, t-shirts and shampoos that they found in there! I now have to pay £75 excess for the smashed window; Oh has to restock his gym bag and I have to wait around for Autoglass to attend tomorrow to fix the window. Oh and we had to drive very gingerly home as the open window space made the car judder the whole way! We had a look around to see if they had discarded his kit and we found that some other poor victims had had their clothes strewn around the place. We went to report it to the police and to hand in the stuff that we had found to be told that the police couldn't accept it because of health and safety. We would have left it at the reception but that was closed by the time we finished faffing about so someone else has lost out too. It makes me so mad that some people seem to think that it is their right to create misery for others just to make a few quid that they are not entitled to. At least I did have all the wallets and phones and things with me so we can at least know that they have nothing of any value from us. OH's bag was about 15 years old but it had some sentimental value as he was given it by Basingstoke Rugby Club when he played for their first team. Thank you for bearing with me. Just off to have another glass of wine..... Edited August 6, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 oh no - poor you, and what a rotten end to what should have been a lovely day out. At least you'd removed the valuables, but it's still very upsetting and expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Sorry to hear you had your day out ruined like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 That's awful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 I don't understand the mentality of some people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 I don't understand the mentality of some people Yes I have heard how good go ape is etc shame they cant tighten up security if they know they have a problem I am more amazed the police cant take in the items that you found! I bet if it was a bag of dirty money they may have? Um At least none of you were harmed even if it is annoying, shame they cant set a sting indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted August 6, 2009 Author Share Posted August 6, 2009 We will be writing to East Berks Council about the security there. They clearly know that they have a problem and a few posters don't really solve that problem! On the up side.... at least they didn't smash the window where my new "I love chooks" car sticker is! Perhaps I have had enough wine now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 How infuriating . The only consolation is that nothing more valuable was taken but it's not much of a consolation . We once had our boot broken into at Christmas time - they were obviously hoping for presents, they found a smelly pair of OH's trainers . Like you, we had to pay the excess on the insurance . I wonder if lowlives like that ever get their homes and cars broken into? Let's hope so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 My niece was in a very serious road accident and in intensive care in London. Her parents car was parked in the hospital car park and the same type of low life smashed their car window and took a gym bag - with nothing in it like yours. I don't understand it - but I guess for 10 bags with nothing in there is always one with something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 That is so , what a shame on your lovely day out. I would rant too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 What a shame that your day out has been spoiled in this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 That's awful, it's all drugs in my humble opinion, wherever there are thieves there's someone stealing to sell stuff to feed a habit. I know the Look Out, trouble is for those that don't it's a massive car park in the middle of wooded areas and if they were to try and put security there you would almost certainly have to pay to park. As it is you can park free of charge and use the huge play area or cycle through the woods, build dens, walk dogs etc, or you can pay to go in the Look Out or Go Ape. Wherever there are car parks for leisure facilities there will be thieves as they know you're almost certainly gone for at least an hour or two. It could have been worse, but it could have been a whole lot better. But what goes around comes around, and petty thieves very rarely get rich on other peoples pickings, they're just supporting their own sad lives - and yes, they ARE sometimes victims of crime, and unfortunately they're normally the first on the phone to the police demanding attendance and action and ranting and raving - trust me, there's a lot of gritted teeth going on when we have to deal with them "sympathetically"! (I always want to say "live by the sword, die by the sword" but I'm not allowed!) BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 How infuriating! I would have a word with the Look Out, they obviously know that they have an issue in the car park, they should have some cameras up or maybe someone on patrol (they could put them on the top of the Look Out Tower, they'd have a perfect view!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 That is horrible! And I am suddenly feeling a bit queezy... Friends are down for the North staying with us with their 2 young children, and we recomended them to go to The Look Out today, and they are there now while we are at work... I really REALLY hope they don't suffer in the same way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Thats terrible! You must be furious, poor you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Oh, J poor you. Now who want's to go and play "Stake Out" - the new revenge game for victims of nasty little oiks? I have a feeling they would run away very fast and try elsewhere for their kicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I know the Look Out well and always make sure anything I have is bunged in the boot 'just in case'. Really sorry it was a rotten end to your day Hope you get the car sorted out ok and can get on with enjoying the rest of the summer hols Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted August 7, 2009 Author Share Posted August 7, 2009 That is horrible! And I am suddenly feeling a bit queezy... Friends are down for the North staying with us with their 2 young children, and we recomended them to go to The Look Out today, and they are there now while we are at work... I really REALLY hope they don't suffer in the same way... So do I !! If you have their mobile number, I would contact them and suggest that they don't go into the overflow carpark as it is really out of the way and quite quiet. In some ways, I brought it on myself as I have a Touran and never use the cover for the boot area. Had the bag been in there out of sight, I doubt that it would have happened. Also, I would have been covered on insurance for the stuff that was stolen. There wasn't much of any value apart from ear phones but we have been out this morning to replace it and it has cost about £120! Thanks all for your good wishes. I knew it would make me feel better to have a rant on here. Koojie - I like your suggestion!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Oh, J poor you. Now who want's to go and play "Stake Out" - the new revenge game for victims of nasty little oiks? I have a feeling they would run away very fast and try elsewhere for their kicks. ...fun as that sounds, you can bet your bottom dollar it wouldn't be the little oiks who got into trouble it would be us Sorry you had a rotten time J Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Ah the trick is not to touch or interfere, but just loitre without intent. I doubt anyone would want to break into anything with witnesses around. A bit like neighbourhood watch mobile unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 How terrible for you. I'm sure you are kicking yourself for not putting your bags out of site but i bet the bag didn't look worth the trouble of stealing. Words can't describe how low some people can go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted August 7, 2009 Author Share Posted August 7, 2009 That's awful, it's all drugs in my humble opinion, wherever there are thieves there's someone stealing to sell stuff to feed a habit. I know the Look Out, trouble is for those that don't it's a massive car park in the middle of wooded areas and if they were to try and put security there you would almost certainly have to pay to park. As it is you can park free of charge and use the huge play area or cycle through the woods, build dens, walk dogs etc, or you can pay to go in the Look Out or Go Ape. Wherever there are car parks for leisure facilities there will be thieves as they know you're almost certainly gone for at least an hour or two. It could have been worse, but it could have been a whole lot better. But what goes around comes around, and petty thieves very rarely get rich on other peoples pickings, they're just supporting their own sad lives - and yes, they ARE sometimes victims of crime, and unfortunately they're normally the first on the phone to the police demanding attendance and action and ranting and raving - trust me, there's a lot of gritted teeth going on when we have to deal with them "sympathetically"! (I always want to say "live by the sword, die by the sword" but I'm not allowed!) BeckyBoo I am sure that you are right about this Becky. I e-mailed the council today - not because I was expecting anything positive but just to make them aware. To be fair, I had a very quick response from them. However the lady suggested that there had only been one reported break in last year. She did also say that that had gone up to five between April and June this year. I find it hard to believe that it is as low as that given that there were at least two in one day yesterday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
