They did actually steal the gates though along with the town map display case.

I expect to see them on Fleabay.

My Partners farm is a couple of miles outside a small village, so very very quiet here. When I go to my own home in Perth it's also quiet, long time neighbours and know each other well, we all gel nicely.
There was a couple of guys nosing around the gardens a few years ago, I awoke with my Maggie growling, so I peeked out the window and saw a shape at the shed. I had 3 Old English Sheepies at that time and I just opened the back door and they all flew out barking lol. The snoopers about broke their necks getting over the bottom fence and have never been back.