stealing

[weas]

I have someone who gardens for me once a week, but i saw them stealing last week. not much ,and i am sure they have done it before as small things have gone . please help what is the best thing to do, confront him? thanks in advance

[sara3]

you either report them to the police, as stealing is a criminal offence or confront them if you feel it is safe to do so, but definitely get rid of them.

you don't need a thief around your property.

[beejay1124]

were they knicking items from yout clothes line

[zbearspirit]

When you invite people in to your home you have to be able to trust them. Once that trust is gone that is the end of any relationship you had ie employer/employee. In my opinion it is pointless reporting this to the police because it will be one persons word against another. Even if he admitted it nothing much would happen. Why put yourself through the stress and anxiety? But you need to act right away. I would tell him/her that you no longer wish their services, you dont have to give them a reason.

[weas]

Thanks for zbearsprirt and sara!! I will tell him services no longer needed and end it without fuss. very stressful when someone is stealing from you.
pointless comment beejay!! but there is one on every forum

[sara3]

beejay's comment was meant for me. we have an "understanding" ;o)

[Bjohn]

My house was burgled whilst we slept. There was no forced entry, the burglar either slipped the lock or had keys. The day after the burglary our cleaner claimed that her keys wouldn't fit our lock. She'd been cleaning the property for 8 months and had never had a problem with the locks.

I suspected someone who lived with the cleaner might have been involved. It was just too co-incidental. I informed the police but they said there was nothing they could do. In the end I dismissed the cleaner and had the locks changed. Unfortunately there was nothing more I could do than that.

[zbearspirit]

Auhmsskinnert, if someone went to the police station and made a complaint that you stole from them, would you expect to be arrested fingerprinted, photographed and had your DNA taken if someone made a malicious complaint about you. You would think differently then. For allegations like this the police are reluctant to prosecute when there is one persons word against another that is why they need real evidence, ie cctv, a second witness, evidence that property has been sold, ie cash converters, car boot sales etc. One persons eye witness account is not enough these days.