Halloween decorations are vanishing from London lawns, and it’s getting bad enough that some families have given up decorating entirely.
Recent online community discussions show multiple residents dealing with the same problem. Thieves aren’t just grabbing inflatables on a whim. They’re spending time cutting through zip ties and security measures to steal displays meant for trick-or-treaters.
One incident caught on home security footage shows a woman taking selfies with skeleton decorations before deciding she wanted them. She spent about 10 minutes cutting zip ties to remove the items from someone’s lawn. According to the homeowner, the thief looked “like a giddy little child” as she ran back to her car with the stolen skeleton.
The problem’s hit enough people that they’re rethinking the whole tradition. Some families who used to go all-out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas have stopped putting anything outside after repeated thefts and damage.
“I can’t put anything in my yard unless I no longer want it,” one local parent said. Kids seeing their decorations missing or destroyed has pushed families to skip outdoor displays completely.
It’s not just Halloween. Christmas inflatables have been targeted too. Some get stolen whole, others get cut up and left useless.
Zip ties and basic anchoring aren’t stopping anyone. Some homeowners have chained decorations down, but that only makes theft harder, not impossible. Others have moved everything to inside windows where they can’t be reached.
The theft’s so common now that people expect it. Homeowners are mentally preparing for anything on their lawn to disappear, which changes how they approach decorating entirely.
Community discussions mention suspicions about university students walking through neighbourhoods being responsible for some incidents, particularly cases involving broken trees and damaged landscaping.
Beyond the frustration, there’s the money. Decorations cost cash and time, and families are already dealing with rising costs everywhere else.
Fewer decorated homes means less excitement for kids and a neighbourhood that looks pretty dead during what should be one of the most visually fun times of year.
Some people have adapted by buying cheap-looking decorations from discount stores for outside while keeping nicer stuff inside. It keeps some festive spirit going while cutting potential losses.
Thefts often happen right when people put decorations up, suggesting thieves are actively looking for new displays rather than just stumbling across them.
If your decorations have gone missing or you’ve seen anything suspicious, drop what you know in the comments.