A while back, I was sitting in my lounge when I saw a hooded figure walk past my window. I went outside to challenge it, but there was no-one there. This happened in broad daylight. There is no way it could leave my property without me seeing it.

A similar thing occurred some time before this. On this occasion I saw a short, dumpy woman with curly brown hair wearing a yellow sweatshirt and dark red skirt. She was looking over my back fence, staring at nothing (at least nothing I could see). Neither of us spoke; I just went back inside and when I looked back, she had gone.

On both occasions, I didn't hear them enter or leave my property.

First I would call my local police and see if they've noticed any homeless people in the area close to my home. (There are a lot more out there since the economy tanked.) If not ask if they could check the area a bit more or if not could they please add a patrol for a few weeks off and on. Always better to have a witness than just yourself.

The hooded figure I saw was wearing a robe like a monk's, and the woman's clothes were in good condition, so I doubt they were homeless people.

However, I appreciate your concern and advice. I'll ask the police and my neighbours to keep an eye out.

Let me know how it works out. I mentioned to my BGF and she said that she had a once upon a time resident who lived there "revisit" the house. He lived there when he was a child and just wanted to see the "old house". He didn't think anyone was a home. Did he ever give her a start!