SNAKEBITER Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 I am quite keen on the idea of looking for some easy to find cahes during the dark evenings. However I am a little concerned about being arrested as some sort of pervert after being spotted crawling around in the undergrowth, or even worse loitering in urban locations! Any advice? Quote Link to comment
+Haggis Hunter Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 If you get stopped by the police just tell them what you are doing, They will probably leave you to get on with it. Plenty of people have been stopped at night whilst caching, myself included, but I haven't heard of anyone being arrested! Night caching is good fun, as it adds a total different perspective to it all. Quote Link to comment
+CrazyL200 Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 I do quite a bit of night caching and (nearly) always stay away from habitation. In some urban areas, you can get away with being bold as brass. I think each one needs to be assessed for the very reason you are concerned about. If it's out in the countryside, no problem. You have the right to use public rights of way as much as anyone else, and could be out for a walk at anytime of the day or night. But I don't like searching by tourch light close to a house. Quote Link to comment
+The Toogood Family Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 NT of Berkshire SAR Dogs Suggested...... Whilst looking under bush for Cache, policeman taps her on shoulder "Ah, evening officer, have you seen Flossy, my pet s***zu?" Quote Link to comment
+Bill D (wwh) Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 The only night caching I've done has been by accident late on winter afternoons... I'd rather be out there in daylight and see the views and so on, but I know that a substantial minority enjoy night caching. Do bear in mind, though, that with some caches, for example all those in the New Forest, night caching is specifically forbidden. Check the cache page, and any agreement the cache is placed under, and provided there's no prohibition, go for it! And you might want to take a look at the thread about night vision goggles... Quote Link to comment
+doctor scotland Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 If you get caught, just be honest about what you're doing - how could you make up such stuff?!? Carrying a print out of the cache you're looking for can help, if you get stopped by the police - I know from experience! My example Quote Link to comment
nobby.nobbs Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 be honest. you can prove that whereas if you start lying you will get caught out. then they are going to get very very suspicious. the worst they can do if you are honest is tell you to go home. or laugh at you. Quote Link to comment
+currykev Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 I have trouble in sunlight let alone when it's dark. ...Watch out for coppers though,they'll fit you up whatever! You'll improve their daily figures for arrests..I recommend carrying a couple of £50 notes to give yourself a much better chance of not getting arrested. Quote Link to comment
+Alibags Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 If you get caught, just be honest about what you're doing - how could you make up such stuff?!? Carrying a print out of the cache you're looking for can help, if you get stopped by the police - I know from experience! My example Wiltshire constabulary?!! You were lucky they can be right [expletive deleted]!! I go out at night. The nanny state has not managed to ban that just yet. I just take care that I am aware that although it may be perfectly legal to be crossing that field on the footpath in the dark, some people can be threatened by weirdos lurking in the bushes... so I am discreet. If it's a clear night, I dont use my torch unless I have to, for example. Quote Link to comment
+The Bolas Heathens Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 (edited) Totally agree with the above - if stopped at night we are always totally honest and show them the cache details on the PDA. It usually results in some odd looks but they accept it as you could hardly make something up like that. I hasten to add we've not been stopped by the police yet - usually curious noctural dog walkers or farmers . Edited December 1, 2006 by The Bolas Heathens Quote Link to comment
+The Mighty Shark Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 I am quite keen on the idea of looking for some easy to find cahes during the dark evenings. However I am a little concerned about being arrested as some sort of pervert after being spotted crawling around in the undergrowth, or even worse loitering in urban locations! Any advice? It's not just after dark that you have to worry. I was questioned by the police a while back now as I was standing at the side of my car putting some stuff in the glove box out of my caching bag. They thought I had broken into the car and was taking it out. I was parked opposite the police station at the time so who in their right mind would be breaking into a car there? I guess I must have the kind of face that looks like trouble. Quote Link to comment
+doctor scotland Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Wiltshire constabulary?!! You were lucky they can be right [expletive deleted]!! They certainly can Alibags! - I think I know the expletive you deleted! - and yes, we were very lucky - especially as we 'might' have had a large pair of bolt croppers, that 'might' have been innocently found earlier on in the day, and 'might' have been in the boot of the car. Also, I 'might' have had a few pints in the pub before going caching in the middle of the night - but they didnt search the car! Even though they thought we'd been out robbing. The driver quite rightly was very sober, and honesty (though with some slurred words - all mine ) saved the day! As did the travel bug and the request for a photo - which really threw the women pc's - 'Shall we turn the blue lights off?' one of them asked?. After the first photo one of them said she'd done a blink, so would I take another one please? (!) So, if i'm confronted by the police again, I'll be honest about the caching, show them a cache page printout and definately try for another photo. If that doesnt work - at least the flash might give me a second or so head start! Quote Link to comment
nobby.nobbs Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 just try to remember that there will be one or two bad apples in every barrell. so just becuase you've met one git of a policeman don't assume they all are. but if you start with an attitude with them then you can't be upset when they are not that friendly with you. Quote Link to comment
+*mouse* Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 You have to remember why the police stop to talk to you - because you look suspicious!!! No one can blame officers for taking the time to sus out a cacher, their just doing their job. Be honest, be polite and you'll have nothing to worry about..... after all, I can give it to you on very good authority that some of them are cachers too! Caching after dark is down to common sense and it can be great fun if you choose the right caches. Why not try finding some of the caches designed to be found at night? Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Things not to say to police in the middle of the night: "Is it because I is cachin'?" "Don't point that torch at me, point it at those sticks!" "You think I look suspicious? You're the one with the Taser, the pepper spray and the night stick..." Quote Link to comment
+Papakas Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 I think you'll find the Police are the least of your worries after dark! It's what else might be out there you may want to pay some consideration to! The Police are likely to be understanding of your honest reasoning especially when you provide evidence of your activity in the form of a cache printout. However, urban caching at the wrong time of the night is likely to draw attention to yourself by those who would take a shine to the apparent gizmos you're wandering around with! And then there are those who would see you as fair game to be picked on for no apparrent reason. Be selective about where you park and where you cache so not to draw undue attention to yourself and your activities. As a general rule in most urban enviroments I have cached in I find that after the hour of around two in the morning the only people still out on the streets are the Police. If you can get out into the countryside I'm sure you'll find it more relaxing and enjoyable but there are also considerations. Reports of large cats and other potentially dangerous beasts roaming the countryside are infrequent but there are other goings on as well. Try and find an empty car park on Cannock Chase at one thirty in the morning and you'll get the idea! They may take an adverse interest in you because you're not taking an interest in them! There are of course those who are engaged in other activities they would not want the authorities to know about but a legitimate but trigger happy livestock patrol could just as easily bring you grief! A word of advice on protecting yourself. The Police will not take an understanding view if you're wandering around the countryside with anything they would classify as an offensive weapon. You'll find it extreemly difficult establishing a respectful rapor with an officer of the law if you're armed with a machete for example! Think along the lines of what can you carry that's justifiable on the grounds of your activity such as a "rather large torch" or, as is my personal choice, a walking pole! Remember also what you have of value to a potential assailant. And the most valuable item, apart from you of course, is your vehicle! Think about where you park. Even in the depths of the countryside it's still possible to give the impression your vehicle isn't in total isolation. I would much rather walk an extra half mile for the security of having parked my car near some sort of occupied dwelling. But take care not to wake up the occupants! If you have to park somewhere remote take special care on returning to your vehicle. I think the best way of summarising the adverse potential of night caching is the fact that you'll be perceived as doing something unnatural. Who in their right mind would chose to wander around the countryside in the dark looking for a plastic box when the alternative is be tucked up in a nice warm bed! I'm not going to try and sell anyone night caching but what I will say is it's more challenging and therefore, possibly, more rewarding! And as for that dadgum micro hiden behind a road sign on a busy street in the middle of town you can't get to because every muggle on earth is breathing down your neck..... what at two o'clock in the morning? Go get it! Quote Link to comment
+currykev Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 (edited) Check out THIS website before you go out after dark..... <Link removed by Lactodorum as it is hardly "Family Friendly" as required in this forum> Edited December 11, 2006 by Lactodorum Quote Link to comment
+MartyBartfast Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 (edited) Things not to say to police in the middle of the night: "Is it because I is cachin'?" "Don't point that torch at me, point it at those sticks!" "You think I look suspicious? You're the one with the Taser, the pepper spray and the night stick..." or "Evening officer, is that a truncheon in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?" my worst experience at night was doing one in the middle of nowhere near the Ridgeway, at 03:00 in the fog, after having just watched "The Shining", by the time I'd finished I was s**t scared and would have been mightily relived to see one of our boys/girls in blue. Edited December 10, 2006 by MartyBartfast Quote Link to comment
SNAKEBITER Posted December 10, 2006 Author Share Posted December 10, 2006 (edited) Check out THIS website before you go out after dark..... I clicked the link and wished I hadn't. I know it goes on but I don't want to know about it. Edited December 11, 2006 by Lactodorum Quote Link to comment
+stora Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 (edited) Check out THIS website before you go out after dark..... Depending on which way you "butter your toast", it could be seen as a bonus find Edited December 11, 2006 by Lactodorum Quote Link to comment
+currykev Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 (edited) Check out THIS website before you go out after dark..... I clicked the link and wished I hadn't. I know it goes on but I don't want to know about it. A good Geocacher is always prepared for any eventuality! Edited December 11, 2006 by currykev Quote Link to comment
+currykev Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Check out THIS website before you go out after dark..... <Link removed by Lactodorum as it is hardly "Family Friendly" as required in this forum> Neither is bumping into strange men while out caching. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.