Metal detectors trespassing

[Rookie]

Personally I would like them shot. However that isn`t allowed.

If you would like the vehicle details circulated amongst the Midlands detecting community we will happily keep an eye open and ring it in and get the thieves off the land..... feel free to mail info to [email protected]

Thanks for the offer, however i will leave it as hopefully the quick response from the police hopefully will be enough and put an end to situation. Quite impressed with police response on 101 number. Thanks for the other link too.
Some interesting points. Never had many issues with illegal detectors. Good point about recording conversations with them as it would highlight any threats made.
We have 3 chaps who have recently started coming through a family friend and they are very upfront. Show anything they find, got insurance, belong to a club and respect the fact that they are able to enjoy their hobby. Only risk is that it could attract others non desirables which is the downside.(land they've been on not near to inident field though).

 

[martian]

One thing we've found is: spreading local authority brown bin compost puts off all metal detectorists for years, as there are always lots of small scraps of tin foil etc in the mix which make their tools bleep the whole time and takes all the fun out of their pursuit.

 

[subland]

That bottle hunt on your farm, that is just plain ridiculous. How they got away with that beggars belief.

Sadly actions of the few ruin things for everyone, not just for hobbyists who like to detect, not just the landowner but also the local residents who are interested in the history of where they live. Some of the reactions of farmers are extreme but totally understandable.

As an archaeology graduate I was always suspicious of metal detecting as if done badly it pulls items from the land without context and can leave behind real archaeology or damage it. When I got into the hobby I realised that when done properly rather than treasure seeking it is a wonderful asset to archaeology.

All I ask is to please don't write off genuine hobbyists based on these terrible and disgusting experiences with people who are essentially looters. If a real hobbyist approaches you, ask to see their NCMD ID card and some photo ID. In fact, photocopy it and take down their contact details. Discuss when and where they can detect and let your neighbours know that way you can all keep an eye on them and ensure no trespassers try to sneak on. Ask to draw up a written contract first about the 50/50 split of any finds/treasure should they strike it lucky and both keep a signe copy.

There are benefits to having a genuine hobbyist on your land. Any member of NCMD has to follow a code of conduct and should they break it you can report them. They will keep an eye on your land for you and you can instruct them to tell trespasses to leave your land, keep fly tipping at bay and they will tidy up small litter and report larger dumping back to you and probably help you shift it. They will help you better understand the history of your land, it can be fascinating and lead to you having some very nice finds to show your visitors and relatives. They will be so happy to have a permission they would be your friend for life!

Farmers/landowners are the lifeblood of the hobby and we need you more than you need us. If you ever want guidance on the hobby or what to do about those who night hawk or trespass feel free to mail me and I will do what I can to help you, as would any other NCMD member.

Thank you to all the farmers who welcome responsible metal detectorists onto your land.

 

[Exfarmer]

That bottle hunt on your farm, that is just plain ridiculous. How they got away with that beggars belief.

Sadly actions of the few ruin things for everyone, not just for hobbyists who like to detect, not just the landowner but also the local residents who are interested in the history of where they live. Some of the reactions of farmers are extreme but totally understandable.

As an archaeology graduate I was always suspicious of metal detecting as if done badly it pulls items from the land without context and can leave behind real archaeology or damage it. When I got into the hobby I realised that when done properly rather than treasure seeking it is a wonderful asset to archaeology.

All I ask is to please don't write off genuine hobbyists based on these terrible and disgusting experiences with people who are essentially looters. If a real hobbyist approaches you, ask to see their NCMD ID card and some photo ID. In fact, photocopy it and take down their contact details. Discuss when and where they can detect and let your neighbours know that way you can all keep an eye on them and ensure no trespassers try to sneak on. Ask to draw up a written contract first about the 50/50 split of any finds/treasure should they strike it lucky and both keep a signe copy.

There are benefits to having a genuine hobbyist on your land. Any member of NCMD has to follow a code of conduct and should they break it you can report them. They will keep an eye on your land for you and you can instruct them to tell trespasses to leave your land, keep fly tipping at bay and they will tidy up small litter and report larger dumping back to you and probably help you shift it. They will help you better understand the history of your land, it can be fascinating and lead to you having some very nice finds to show your visitors and relatives. They will be so happy to have a permission they would be your friend for life!

Farmers/landowners are the lifeblood of the hobby and we need you more than you need us. If you ever want guidance on the hobby or what to do about those who night hawk or trespass feel free to mail me and I will do what I can to help you, as would any other NCMD member.

Thank you to all the farmers who welcome responsible metal detectorists onto your land.

I would like to second this.
I found it an incredible experience handling things which local detectorists found on my farm.
The thought that these scraps of tools, jewellery and money belonged to farmers, who had used this same land for 2,000 years
The chances are nothing of real value will ever be found, but the local museum service is normally very happy to give a good idea of the history of any find

 

[JCMaloney]

@subland @Exfarmer Couldn`t agree more. Please remember that its almost always the minority that make the headlines for the wrong reasons whilst the majority go about their chosen hobby with respect for the land & its owners. As subland pointed out we can be a handy pair of eyes,ears & hands.

@martian whilst you may see "Green Waste" as a solution it isn`t. I was able to show a local farmer the batteries, hypodermic needles and other pleasant stuff that he was happily spreading remaining blissfully unaware of its true content. Suffice to say his next load was examined a bit closer & then (mysteriously) the production plant caught fire just after the company had been clobbered by the EA to the tune of around £70,000. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/142343.aspx

 

[Landy Nick]

I'm sorry to hear that you had a run in with illegal metal detecting on your land Rookie. Please don't tar us all with the same brush. There is a minority of detectorists that ruin it for many others. The same applies with other hobbies too, including shooting.
A couple of years back i lost some detecting permission because of a few thought they could stroll on and do what they like. When confronted by the farmer, he had the same abusive threats you experienced. Obviously they may have seen me out detecting on past occasions and this could have enticed them on. So I lost that permission.
As mentioned, some counties and constabularies are really hot on illegal metal detecting and nite hawking, so please ring them, if you have a run in with any detectorists on your land that shouldn't be there.

I'm quite surprised Old Bull with that the police didn't want to interfere with the bottle diggers on your fields because they said it was a civil matter. No doubt they would have been there like a bullet out of a gun if you had approached them with a shotgun. The criminal and law system stinks.


I tend to get on well with all the farmers on land that I detect on. Some are interested in what I find, which is mostly always junk, others couldn't be bothered what I dig up. I'm always willing to help them out too, as a thank you really, especially with breakdowns and repairs. Or to get that old D2 crawler going that has laid holed up for the past 40 years in that shed.

 

[JCMaloney]

Ey up Blanky! Fancy seeing you here!! The Escort & mechanical bit gave it away!!

 

[Landy Nick]

Ey up Blanky! Fancy seeing you here!! The Escort & mechanical bit gave it away!!

I thought it wouldn't take you long to spot me with the avatar and the mechanical bit.
See you at Glemsford this coming weekend.

 

[Philsale]

Hello it is really sad metal detectorist are night stalking and giving what is a past time a poor reputation. I agree the Police should be the way forward in such circumstances when they exploit the landowners private property.
However i am in Cirencester next week for a family holiday and would hope to bring my own detector. If anyone is agreeable and would allow an opportunity in this area for me to go onto their land this would be appreciated and show just how this hobby can be positive for all. Fully insured etc. many thanks for reading

 

[Dr. Alkathene]

Pallet forks on the telehandler a couple of inches above the ground a couple of inches from the door sill does the trick. Same for poachers and Gyppo scum.

 

[IH 684]

if anyone threatens you with violence you are entitled to defend yourself by hitting them first it is called a pre-emptive stri.

 

[IH 684]

the above post should say pre emptive strike

 

[Kidds]

One thing we've found is: spreading local authority brown bin compost puts off all metal detectorists for years, as there are always lots of small scraps of tin foil etc in the mix which make their tools bleep the whole time and takes all the fun out of their pursuit.

If you do have a persistent problem then this is definitely the answer.
There isn't enough foil in there to harm your field, crops or livestock but enough to mess the field up forever for detectors.

I don't like it for a second as I enjoy metal detecting myself. If it came to it I would put it on my own land in the same circumstances.

 

[solo]

Detecting at night is very common around here in the last 2 years. Very rarely seen though, but the tell tale signs of spade divets are plain to see. Only after harvest and through the autumn though. I would guess that they will soon pack up. After all there are only so many buttons that you want to find. Most land near here has had shoddy at some time or other.

 

[hybridcodd]

there is professional guys out that will dig out the bottles for you and put the land back the way it was.they would not dream of digging without permission also once they say its dug out nobody will dig it again.also they are very clean plus they have own machinery and insurance .some even pay you for the stuff.as one forum member put it theirs just some guys that ruin it for the others.i have contacts name for anyone that wants to go this route plus they have references from other farmers.

 

[crosshair]

A couple of years ago I had two detectorists that showed me all their club membership etc, that I gave permission to go and search on the understanding anything of value was to be split 50/50. On the first day they came back to the farm and showed me a lot of very old coins and said they were of no value !!!!!. They came again the following day, but left without calling at the farm, I rang the mobile phone number they gave me, and that was dead, I checked on their club, that was also a bogus one. I will never give permission to anyone again, my advice is go and buy a metal detector, like I did, and sod the rest of them. From experience they are a bunch of dishonest thieves. And before anyone answers this and tell me there are honest one's out there, there may be, but they don't get to go on my land again, once bitten etc etc.

 

[Kidds]

That's a shame Crosshair, it always leaves a bitter taste when folks lie to you.
I don't belong to any clubs or anything and only ever go on my own land detecting but I do know there are good and bad out there, same as with anything.
If it is any consolation, if they never came back again it is probably because all they found were scrap coins and mastitis tubes. If they found anything good they would be there again, I am sure of that.

 

[JD-Kid]

we have a foresty block miles away have some good pig hunters on there that ring and ask .. others think they can go there had gates lifted a fence cut etc
word gets round if there are pigs in an area same as bottles coins etc etc
mate was hunting the other night come across a group in there matters now with the cops the young guys will now be followed up and i think charged word will get out about that as well
for us a fire risk so need control on who's in there etc etc also from a safety point of view due to thick wood hard to see so a risk of a shooting etc
i hunt and fish gun owner etc so it's not like being a stroker about it powerlines cross the land so there can be lines man in the area along with foresty workers etc etc seeing some people can't understand that they will have there day in court may lose there firearms and have a crim convition on record

 

[Romney_Rob]

Heard a story about a farmer suffering with metal detectors, he went to bank bought a few £100'S of penny coins and next time he ploughed just threw them in as he went along. Apparently solved the problem within a couple of years

 

[JD-Kid]

Heard a story about a farmer suffering with metal detectors, he went to bank bought a few £100'S of penny coins and next time he ploughed just threw them in as he went along. Apparently solved the problem within a couple of years

HAHAHA was going to say washers would work too .. down side is in 200 years all those coins could be worth millons and his great great grand kid will be haveing a bitch of a time with metal detectors