Do I have to give balls back?

blossomhill_2

MrsE wrote: »

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q719.htm

Seems I have to put up with the balls, how mad is that!

Read it again - can eventually be prosecuted for refusing - so don't refuse, just delay. Say you will give all balls back every Tuesday, that's not refusing.

Eventually tells me it is only going to be after a prolonged period so if you were to give back the odd one or two every so often you would probably get away with it

mrs_sparrow

Or you could have them for Hasrrassment: https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q153.htm?letter=H

Keep the ball and let the neighbour threaten you and you'll have an even greater cause to call the police.

MrsE_2

blossomhill wrote: »

Read it again - can eventually be prosecuted for refusing - so don't refuse, just delay. Say you will give all balls back every Tuesday, that's not refusing.

Eventually tells me it is only going to be after a prolonged period so if you were to give back the odd one or two every so often you would probably get away with it

When we cut down the reaklly rough nettled area at the back there was easily half a dozen balls in it. He seems to have an unlimited supply:(
When the fence was there I wouldn't throw them back more than once a week it doesn't seem to stop:(

Leif

MrsE wrote: »

They are not council tennents.

They are playing football now, he has a friend round & in the past 3 mins both boys have been in my garden twice - it shouldn't take 2 to retrieve 1 ball. But I would look unreasonable if I told them to stay out of my garden.

No you wouldn't.

~Chameleon~

MrsE wrote: »

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q719.htm

Seems I have to put up with the balls, how mad is that!

I'm genuinely surprised you can actually be prosecuted for keeping the ball :eek:

Thank goodness my neighbours aren't aware of the law then, although since I issued the 3 strikes and out rule I rarely have balls kicked over so it's not really an issue. I had a few at the start of the summer hols when they had a friend to stay but I threw them back immediately and reminded them what would happen if they kept coming over repeatedly. Not seen one since

Btw, I'm not an ogre and actually get on ok with my neighbours, but I also value my privacy and right to enjoy my own garden

~Chameleon~

blossomhill wrote: »

Read it again - can eventually be prosecuted for refusing - so don't refuse, just delay. Say you will give all balls back every Tuesday, that's not refusing.

Eventually tells me it is only going to be after a prolonged period so if you were to give back the odd one or two every so often you would probably get away with it

I like your interpretation of the law and it certainly works for me

cyclonebri1

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I'm genuinely surprised you can actually be prosecuted for keeping the ball :eek:

Thank goodness my neighbours aren't aware of the law then, although since I issued the 3 strikes and out rule I rarely have balls kicked over so it's not really an issue. I had a few at the start of the summer hols when they had a friend to stay but I threw them back immediately and reminded them what would happen if they kept coming over repeatedly. Not seen one since

Btw, I'm not an ogre and actually get on ok with my neighbours, but I also value my privacy and right to enjoy my own garden

Yes I am suprised to read that and doubt it would ever be tried.

The advice we had from the police was that you did not have to return the ball, but you could not destroy it..

This was when the basxtard next door to a family member put a knife though every ball that landed in his garden and binned it.

It affected several families.

Norman_Castle

I would use this http://www.screwfix.com/p/barricade-fence/32220 . If they are not happy, tell them to fit their own fence.

Long thread!. Have you told them not to damage your fence?. Have you told them not to enter your garden?. Tell them the balls landing in the garden are dangerous to you and your visitors and that you expect it to stop.

valk_scot

MrsE wrote: »

Because they are getting their ball quickly.

Oh, !!!!!!!! to that. If they had to wait a few days to get every ball back they'd soon start being a bit more careful with them.

It does sound to me as if this has been going on for so long that it's become the norm for everyone and the boy won't think he's doing anything out of the ordinary either when kicking them against the fence, kicking them over the fence or coming into your garden to get the balls back. So whatever you do, it's got to start with the parents. Have you been round for a talk with them lately? If they don't know about what you're thinking re your grandson's safety, the dog mess and the possible damage to your new fence then you can't expect their behaviour to change tbh. They're not mind readers and no matter how unreasonable you think they're being if you've let them get away with it this far, or not let them know about your grandson, why should they change?

I'd go round this evening and have a firm word tbh. Yeah, it's possibly more difficult if you're a woman and he's a big loud threatening gob!!!!! but really, if he lays one finger on you it's assault and the rest is just words. The first thing the police/council will ask anyway is if you've tried discussing the problem with him. Get round there and say your piece firmly, add you intend to take things further if your perfectly reasonable requests are ignored and then do so at the very next incident.

mrs_sparrow

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I would use this http://www.screwfix.com/p/barricade-fence/32220 . If they are not happy, tell them to fit their own fence.

Long thread!. Have you told them not to damage your fence?. Have you told them not to enter your garden?. Tell them the balls landing in the garden are dangerous to you and your visitors and that you expect it to stop.

Dogs can still get under that though, it's so flimsy. We got that when our garden was done and the dog could just barge though it - as could the kids and the ball.