Getting into trouble whilst caching

January 21, 2011

I was trying to do a multi cache in the yesterday evening whilst my eldest was at guides, I worked out all the clues easily enough and input the co-ords - when I got to the destination I checked what I was looking for and realised it was a nano (I hate nanos) so I looked at the clue to make it easier, the clue confirmed I was in the correct location but wasn't specific so I tried to discreetly start searching, there weren't many people about apart from the odd smoker outside a nearby pub so I sat down and pretended to be on the phone when I saw people and carried on searching when the coast was clear. I searched the area for ages then decided it must have gone missing so I sat on a bench to contemplate how to waste another hour when a police car drove by, then it drove by again, then it slowed down and parked and 2 policemen approached me and asked if I was looking for something!!!! Apparently they had been observing my suspicious behaviour on the CCTV (oops) I had to come clean and told them I was looking for a geocache and then went on to explain what one was, they asked me if I had anything to collaborate this so out comes the gps, the Iphone with app, the bit of paper in case I can’t work out the iphone app – the police were abit bemused and must have thought I was a local nutter. The worst part was when one of them recognised me from school (about 25 years ago) anyway they went off and I gave up on my hunt and logged a DNF 

2.8k · January 21, 2011

Thats why i don't play the stealth game. I do however try to keep the cache location from being discovered as a result of my actions.

That whole pretending your on the phone thing will work once if your in the area for a while and staring down at the GPSr getting your bearings. One your in search mode that isn't helpful. So i openly look. I look as if i lost something. I just go about my business and people leave me alone. Suspicious looking or not eventually people will ask what your doing or if you need help. When that happens you explain what your doing. Its no secret so why hide it?

11.2k · January 21, 2011

Thanks for sharing that funny story, Tiger-Eyes! I got a good chuckle while reading your post.

January 21, 2011

Oh dear! That brings back memories On our August jaunt north, myself and two chums were rifling in the undergrowth looking for the cache at the Highland Wildlife Park outside Kingussie. Spent some time rifling and there were a few cars that drove past and then I think I was bent over rifling in some undergrowth when a landrover drove up and a voice "can I help you" was heard... Very conscious of my two dear chums supportively hiding behind me I managed err, have you heard of geocaching.... Once he understood what it was and checked that we weren't planning on going up into the enclosures he was happy and left us to it - funny to read the logs since then though and seeing someone had been asked by a ranger if he was looking for a box!!!!

3.3k · January 21, 2011

Time to get this picture of me in Los Angeles. During a week caching in LA with Wadders and Cachemad we'd inadvertedly trespassed into college grounds and the LAPD followed us in in our car. After some discussion, we got off with a warning.... and a DNF!

1.1k · January 22, 2011

Oh dear! That brings back memories On our August jaunt north, myself and two chums were rifling in the undergrowth looking for the cache at the Highland Wildlife Park outside Kingussie. Spent some time rifling and there were a few cars that drove past and then I think I was bent over rifling in some undergrowth when a landrover drove up and a voice "can I help you" was heard... Very conscious of my two dear chums supportively hiding behind me I managed err, have you heard of geocaching.... Once he understood what it was and checked that we weren't planning on going up into the enclosures he was happy and left us to it - funny to read the logs since then though and seeing someone had been asked by a ranger if he was looking for a box!!!!

The answer that I always give to "can I help you" is "No thank you. I'm fine." About 95% of people go away after that. It makes me wonder why they asked, and what they'd do if I said "Yes, you can, actually. Could I borrow a fiver from you?" Maybe I'll try that some time.

People who actually inquire what I'm doing, get "I'm counting the slugs". Or, occasionally, especially if I'm on my knees, "I'm looking for God".

I had a major debate recently with two people who thought that someone wandering around in a piece of woodland at night with a torch was "acting suspiciously." I still don't know what it was they were suspecting. I'm stealing a tree? I don't think they did either.

January 22, 2011

This thread made me chuckle..!

I've had a couple of brushes with 'authority' while caching - the last just a couple of days ago while attempting 'Coin Exchange' on the Froncysyllte aqueduct. While CreativeLisa and I were investigating the structure, a local hove into view and asked if we were Inspectors! Well I was wearing a bright orange fleece, so I guess I can understand where he was coming from..

I also got spotted on CCTV late at night on a hillside near Chesterton in Stoke-on-Trent. Three cachers, myself included, were after a FTF quite late at night - a fourth came to join us, and having parked the car, walked up to GZ to be followed closely by a police car. We came down to join the party and they explained that torches had been seen by locals and the security system on the brick factory across the road had picked us up. After looking closely at the paper listing I'd fortunately brought, the decided we were harmless nutters and left us to it, declining our invitation to help with the search!

January 22, 2011

It's nice to know I'm not the only one - thanks for the replies

6.2k · January 22, 2011

Armed police in Green Park. Armed Farmers in a field. Armed children in Hackney. I made that last one up, but it's going to happen sooner or later... If it's anyone I'm duty-bound to respect (police, little old ladies, etc) I always explain what I'm up to. Security Guards get something a bit more vague, especially when dressed like police, acting like police and asking the sorts of questions I only have to give police an answer to. Also, local drunks asking if I'm looking for drugs don't tend to get much cooperation.

2.6k · January 22, 2011

Cops? My speciality ... several encounters with them plus unfortunately I have caused one bomb scare!

Also was approached by the Austrian equivalent of the Samaritans when searcing on a bridge in Salzburg and have on more than one occasion been offered money, usually "for the dog".

2.3k · January 22, 2011

As I was out-a-caching today, I found a cache on private land, and I had a deep feeling that permission had probably never been sort. (imagine that)

So I ask you, my fellow cachers.

If I get arrested and banged up (or more likely pay a fine) for trespassing, can I and should I sue the cache owner?

No answers from lawyers or solicitors please as they will only answer in their favour.

1.7k · January 22, 2011

It's late and I've been very busy so my brain is seizing up. But Isn't Tresspas a Civil Offence not Criminal, and as such you can not be arrested for Tresspas. Unless you refuse to obey the instruction of the Landowner to leave their property, and even then you would not be arrested for Tresspas.

Dave

3.8k · January 23, 2011

Armed police in Green Park. Armed Farmers in a field. Armed children in Hackney. I made that last one up, but it's going to happen sooner or later... If it's anyone I'm duty-bound to respect (police, little old ladies, etc) I always explain what I'm up to. Security Guards get something a bit more vague, especially when dressed like police, acting like police and asking the sorts of questions I only have to give police an answer to. Also, local drunks asking if I'm looking for drugs don't tend to get much cooperation.

WHY?? A little old lady gets more respect than someone trying to do their job?? I work in security and ask questions like that and act professionally (just like police). If I get the type of attitude that you are expressing here, it just means that the police may have to get involved. What a waste of time for you, the security officer and the police and all because you obviously think, what lots of ignorant people think, is that they are below you!!

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a decent top end job. Some of us have to be at the bottom of the so called proverbial pile propping up people like yourself.

Another point is that it isn't the individuals fault on the uniform that they have to wear, if they're company dresses them up like police officers then don't judge them because of it.

If this post comes across as being angry? That will be because I am! I have to face this sort of bigotry on a daily basis. To then come on here and read it is just wrong.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

3.7k · January 23, 2011

As I was out-a-caching today, I found a cache on private land, and I had a deep feeling that permission had probably never been sort. (imagine that)

So I ask you, my fellow cachers.

If I get arrested and banged up (or more likely pay a fine) for trespassing, can I and should I sue the cache owner?

No answers from lawyers or solicitors please as they will only answer in their favour.

What Dave said is quite correct. You're not going to get banged up for trespass.

In any case, almost every cache in England is on private land, so there's not much point in worrying about it!

Edited January 23, 2011 by Happy Humphrey

3.8k · January 23, 2011

There have been a few times that I have been stopped and questioned even by security officers, but I have never had an issue.

here are 3 of the most memorable - Not up the Kilt Please! read the logs for the 19th February 2005. Water of Life - Glenkinchie and finally Dynamic.

January 23, 2011

We (me and 10yo son) were looking for the sidetracked cache at Exeter St David's one evening after dark. I had seen a BTP policeman patrolling the car park (near where the cache was located) so waited until he was walking away towards a far part of his patch. Anyway, we hadn't found the cache and the BTP PC started heading back our way so we were asked the inevitable question about what we were doing. After a quick explanation he knew exactly what we were doing, where the cache was and pointed us at the hiding place. All in all a positive experience with the Police that evening.

January 23, 2011

Sorry Fi but I had to laugh, I havent done that cache, or the one next to it after hearing stories about the camera following you around. I wish I was brave enough, but I hate being seen by muggles I can see let alone ones I cant.

Welcome back to caching

Edited January 23, 2011 by reddeeps

1.4k · January 23, 2011

Tried to do a cache today that is at the edge of the A30 near Staines, in full view of a security guard's cabin.

Looked for a minute or two and he came out to ask if he could help me, explained that we were ok and just looking for a clue to a modern day treasure hunt. He went back to his little domain but reurned a minute or so later and asked again what we were doing and then proceeded to stand and watch us.

Decided to leave as did not want to risk him ringing the police and bring our game into disrepute.

As it is a 24/7 security guarded courier company he probably thought we were casing the joint. :mad:

January 23, 2011

There is a cache in Burford Oxon, a nano, which is difficult enough to find in the first place. The clue is a bit ambiguous and the co-ordinates seem to place it right by the public loos ! Burford is a mecca for tourists and there are lots of them round the loo area. I got some really strange looks whilst peering about - was waiting for the long arm of the law to arrest me as a prevert but luckily re-read clue and discovered it some 10 yards away from the loos before I got arrested !

1.1k · January 23, 2011

I stopped for a cache in London three weeks ago, it was a nice big wide road, dark and deserted. So I stopped on the side of the road near to a pedestrian crossing. I was out of the car and back in, in under two minutes and then drove off. A true cache and dash

A week later I got a fixed penalty notice and a link to a CCTV clip stored on Westminster Council's website . It was me pulling up jumping out and back in all under the gaze of a camera, as I had parked on the edge of the white markings I had not chance of an appeal so sent my £60 off.

Probably a warning to anyone visiting London, the cameras are watching your every move.

Also whilst caching in Florida I was asked what I was doing on several occasions by local sherriffs, I explained what I was doing, most had heard of caching so left me alone. I have never been stopped in the UK, I can only assume that having elected sherriffs makes sure that they are out and about.

January 23, 2011

Blimey a) I think my ranger experience was peanuts compared to others and yay to living in Scotland with their different laws

have to say when we have been hunting in England (and on occasion been abandoned by the public footpath signs and had to improvise) in my minds eye I imagine farmers and shotguns! Never concerns me north of the border - maybe someone so unadventurous should stay north eh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 23, 2011

Have been questioned by the police about our activities whilst looking for The Longstone of Minchinhampton. It's near the main entrance to Gatcombe Park, home of Princess Anne, so not so surprising. Was open with them and told the truth of what we were doing, and the guarding officers were happy to let us carry on. They seemed aware of what geocaching was, I am sure we are not the only ones they have spoken to in that location about it.

January 23, 2011

I've just had an email informing me that the two officers concerned have looked on the website and have bought themselves a GPS - If you can't nick em join em :lol:

3.7k · January 23, 2011

I stopped for a cache in London three weeks ago, it was a nice big wide road, dark and deserted. So I stopped on the side of the road near to a pedestrian crossing. I was out of the car and back in, in under two minutes and then drove off. A true cache and dash

A week later I got a fixed penalty notice and a link to a CCTV clip stored on Westminster Council's website . It was me pulling up jumping out and back in all under the gaze of a camera, as I had parked on the edge of the white markings I had not chance of an appeal so sent my £60 off.

Probably a warning to anyone visiting London, the cameras are watching your every move.

My experience of caching in London by car is...don't do it! London is not car-friendly and not caching-friendly. A bad combination if you're caching by car. I spent most of my time either evading traffic wardens, worrying about how long I had left on the parking meter or worrying about the constant surveillance.

Several of the caches I found were archived soon after due to official complaints (not due to me, I hasten to add!). Not a nice place at all.

3.7k · January 23, 2011

I've just had an email informing me that the two officers concerned have looked on the website and have bought themselves a GPS - If you can't nick em join em

Brilliant!

3.1k · January 23, 2011

I've just had an email informing me that the two officers concerned have looked on the website and have bought themselves a GPS - If you can't nick em join em

Brilliant!

Well done Fiona.... LOVE it!!!!

3.9k · January 23, 2011

I went out for an FTF a couple of days after Christmas - normally I wouldn't bother since they go in 20 minutes round here, but I was literally just opening my e-mail inbox when the notification arrived, so I thought there might be a chance. This was about an hour after sunset.

So, into the car, 20-25 minutes drive across town, parked, walked down the hill. Cache was off to the right. About 100 metres ahead I could see a couple of cars and people standing by them but nothing to worry about. Over to the cache, started to look with my little "headlight" torch. Next thing I know, someone called out "Police, what are you doing?". I thought, naahh, must be another cacher trying to distract me so he can sneak up and get the FTF, no way matey. Anyway, the police person (for it was indeed he) called again, so I wandered over, and got escorted to the cars. Where I met three other local cachers, who had all been similarly intercepted.

It turned out that three people had been seen nicking stuff from the nearby allotments about two hours earlier, and the owner of one of the allotments had been clearing up, seen the "return of the bad guys", and called les flics. Now, of course, there were four of us, all telling the same story, and Le Plod was looking uncomfortable, asking questions like "how many of you play this game" (our cheerful reply was "hundreds", although we did relent and admit that probably not too many more would be along in the next hour). He tried to give us a talking to for being on private peoperty, except that we weren't.

Like an idiot, I'd left my ID in the car. I have a more-or-less diplomatic ID card which would probably have enabled me to vouch for the other guys. As it was, Les Rozzers kept us standing there in -5°C for about 45 minutes while forensics came along (with mask and rubber gloves, like there'd been a murder). The funniest thing was the allotment owner, who stood looking menacingly at us, even more convinced that PC Clouseau that he'd got the little sods red-handed. Plod climbed into the allotment and we then filmed him failing to climb out, as the fence was too slippy. Quite the adventure.

When we were finally told we could go, three of us decided that discretion was the better part etc, but the fourth cheekily snuck off and grabbed the FTF. I waited until the next day...

January 23, 2011

It's late and I've been very busy so my brain is seizing up. But Isn't Tresspas a Civil Offence not Criminal, and as such you can not be arrested for Tresspas. Unless you refuse to obey the instruction of the Landowner to leave their property, and even then you would not be arrested for Tresspas.

I believe that arrest is a possibility* if the police ask you to leave and you're still stubborn enough to refuse but yes, it's normally a civil matter. Exceptions being: (non public areas of) the railways, MOD property, power stations,Palace of Westminster, GCHQ, stuff like that - wandering about where you shouldn't in those places would be criminal trespass. But I don't think there are many geocaches in nuclear reactors and army barracks :lol:

* Probably for breach of the peace, etc...

Edited January 23, 2011 by JeremyR

3.8k · January 24, 2011

But I don't think there are many geocaches in nuclear reactors and army barracks

Probably not... but there are a lot of trig-points on MOD land... That can be quite exciting :lol:

January 24, 2011

My wife and I, whilst looking for a cache in Northampton on a bridleway, could see in the distance two 'birders' watching us through binoculars and a long lens camera. We ceased the search and decided to have a drink of coffee.

An aggressive 'birder' bloke then walked up to us and asked 'What you doing?'

'And you are?' I'm not partial to someone of no authority asking me what I'm doing.

'I've called the Police!'

'OK.'

'So what you doing?'

'I'll explain to the Police when they arrive.'

He goes on to say we are disturbing birds. I'm a bit of a birder myself and know we were not disturbing no birds around the field gate nesting or otherwise. Oh, how I'm so looking forward to the arrival of the Police. After some time of small talk he tells us he's going home.

'But you've called the Police. Can you call them again and let's get this issue sorted out?'

He went on his way and I logged a DNF.

So, when someone asks me what I'm doing I ask of them 'And you are?'

January 24, 2011

MOD property, power stations,Palace of Westminster, GCHQ, stuff like that - wandering about where you shouldn't in those places would be criminal trespass

Don't forget that Nuclear Power station police are armed and licenced to use them! I imagine many other spots on the above list would also include armed officers! I hope they would ask questions first! :rolleyes:

January 24, 2011

MOD property, power stations,Palace of Westminster, GCHQ, stuff like that - wandering about where you shouldn't in those places would be criminal trespass

Don't forget that Nuclear Power station police are armed and licenced to use them! I imagine many other spots on the above list would also include armed officers! I hope they would ask questions first!

I've not been approached by police whilst actually seeking caches.

But like the above, whilst passing by some well known establishments in my campervan, I observed a police vehicle behind me, I maintained a few MPH below the speed limit.

Blue lights came on, I thought it would pass, needing to get to an incident.

When it didn't I pulled over.

The officer approached and enquired if I knew why he stopped me.

When I looked my normal stupid self, his reply was because there is a roof level camera on the van.

He said he now could see it was a reversing/interior mirror replacement and I could continue my journey.

It was a reasonable days caching, I even found a Dragons egg.

First to PM me with the establishment name and date of my caching trip, can discover my by invitation only,coin. :laughing:

Edited January 24, 2011 by Malpas Wanderer

January 24, 2011

Have been questioned by the police about our activities whilst looking for The Longstone of Minchinhampton. It's near the main entrance to Gatcombe Park, home of Princess Anne, so not so surprising. Was open with them and told the truth of what we were doing, and the guarding officers were happy to let us carry on. They seemed aware of what geocaching was, I am sure we are not the only ones they have spoken to in that location about it.

Ha me and boy boy did this one and he insisted on taking his "Walkie-Talkie" so we probably looked even more dodgy ( didn't get stopped though)

Slight aside to the above, when I was a nipper I used to deliver papers to Gatcombe house, because the round I did was all the outlying areas the bloke who owned the papershop used to drive me around,As we used to drive right up the drive of Gatcombe House I guess they knew his car so it was not an issue, however one day he was in a courtesy car and we got about half way up the drive before we were stopped by fully tooled up Police :-) turned out apart from us being in a different Car Mummy was staying as well so extra security

:lol:

also I used to have to open a back door to a kitchen and leave the papers on a table, one day as I opened the door a dog ran in and did a big poo on the carpet :anibad:

2.3k · January 25, 2011

We have not been stopped whilst caching, we must not be suspicious looking characters :laughing:

But the following sprung to mind after reading this thread..

Mr JerryO was stopped by armed police whilst trying to set a cache in the land of the monkey hangers (Hartlepool) they were ready to let him go after his explanation until he mentioned he had an ammo can on the boot!!!

The following is from his now archived cache page..

I had intended to put out more of these caches but the very nature of the theme suggested that I look in some interesting locations to place my goodies. I was a tad thwarted in my goal by two (very pleasant as it happens) policemen who, with their friends Messers Heckler and Koch, persuaded me that placing caches within a quarter of a mile of a chemical factory or a nuclear power station wasn’t perhaps quite as intelligent as it first seemed. I elected to go elsewhere after having explained about geocaching (this took half an hour) and the careful placing of ammunition boxes in obscure locations (this took a bit longer and nearly involved a search). My first words to them were along the lines of, “Aaaaagh! That’s a gun!” Which it was.

Mandy

1.4k · January 26, 2011

Whoops wrong thread. :rolleyes:

Edited January 26, 2011 by DrDick&Vick

3k · January 26, 2011

I have recently got the Samsung Galaxy (Android phone) and decided, for what they cost, to pay for the G/Speak app and Geocaching Buddy and have been quite happy with them both. Only use the GS app if I really need to get some up to date info or an impromptu cache hunt and G/Buddy for calculating the final locations of multis.

Happy with both.

But have they got you into trouble yet?? :rolleyes:

January 26, 2011

We have not been stopped whilst caching, we must not be suspicious looking characters

But the following sprung to mind after reading this thread..

Mr JerryO was stopped by armed police whilst trying to set a cache in the land of the monkey hangers (Hartlepool) they were ready to let him go after his explanation until he mentioned he had an ammo can on the boot!!!

The following is from his now archived cache page..

I had intended to put out more of these caches but the very nature of the theme suggested that I look in some interesting locations to place my goodies. I was a tad thwarted in my goal by two (very pleasant as it happens) policemen who, with their friends Messers Heckler and Koch, persuaded me that placing caches within a quarter of a mile of a chemical factory or a nuclear power station wasn’t perhaps quite as intelligent as it first seemed. I elected to go elsewhere after having explained about geocaching (this took half an hour) and the careful placing of ammunition boxes in obscure locations (this took a bit longer and nearly involved a search). My first words to them were along the lines of, “Aaaaagh! That’s a gun!” Which it was.

Mandy

I Got stopped as you can read here.

Ooops

I must admit to having part of a 5/5 on a bridalway running through MOD land. Now archived lol :lol:

January 29, 2011

I was on my way to a cache that was in an old well near Bingham in Nottinghamshire when I came up upon a road block set up by the police due to a crash about a mile further up the road. I asked the officer if it was possible to get to the well that was just out of eyes view from the road block. He asked me why on earth I would want to go and visit the well so I told him I was just travelling around the area and had never seen the well before. He looked at me bemused and said ok you can but "DO NOT GO OVER THE HILL" as that was where the crash was. As we walked into the well we was surprised it was totally run down and in need of repair, no wonder the police officer was looking bemused. We spent about ten mins looking then found it and signed the log, While all this was happening a police helecopter was buzzing above us I assume to check around the crash area but on the way out we was asked by the same officer what we was really upto as the Police chopper was watching us lol. We just told the officer the truth and he laughed and said no worries. Things we have to do to get a found it log :rolleyes:

January 30, 2011

only ever been stopped once, by a wooden bus shelter trying to find a cache at 1am, told the officer as he had pulled up i had just to stop to put some water into the radiator as it had over heated and was having a quick fag before continuing, showed him my work id and explained the van wasnt livered due to what we carry (always a good excuse), with that they wished me a good evening and went.

have had a few muggles ask what im doing and threaten to ring the police with that i tend just to move on and leave it as its not worth the hassle. Howver one muggle once shouted from his garden "its to your right, thats right that rusty tube" i found it and thanked him, he thought we were mad and mentioned that he has thouht about putting an ice cream stall outside with all the cachers that go by lol.

January 30, 2011

Having been questioned several times I tend not to "do" urban caches because of all the possible hassle! Fortunately here in Somerset there is no shortage of rural ones.

treaclefudge

Edited January 30, 2011 by treaclefudge

Getting into trouble whilst caching

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