unreasonable amount of balls over the fence?

floss2

Why not wait until the parents are in the garden, then drop half of the balls over the fence, one by one? Take the others to a charity shop or community group.

iammumtoone

40 balls in one weekend! thats a lot. I think I would keep hold of them as long as I could without seeming to be obstructive. They must have run out of balls by now, wherever do they store 40+ footballs? They are not cheap to buy so I can't see them buying any more.

Like a poster above has said send some back and claim the others didn't come into your garden.

TerryPalmer

40 is a lot!

Have you tried speaking to the players? Why not explain about your fence being damaged and that you don't want any further damage.

Give them the balls back this time but explain that if it continues you will be forced to take further action. Give them a chance to put it right, show some faith in the youth of today.

As annoying as it is, there's very little facilities for youngsters to go a play 'safely' these days.

If it was me I would explain you are willing to let them collect there balls when they come over (save you having to throw them back) but if your fence gets any more damage you'll be forced to speak to their parents or the police.

JohnAtk

MrsE wrote: »

I've had fencing replaced so the delightful young England squad wannabes next door cant wander into my garden to collect their balls - thats the 10 fence panels they destroyed with their footballs.

Just been out & bagged up 40 balls from the weekend.

I guess the comunity bobby is the way to go.

40 balls (could be a couple more in growth!!) Is totally ridiculous in anyones language isnt it?

Why don't you try talking to these guys? Explain to them that you're not happy with this situation and they have to find somewhere else to play. I think they will understand your concerns.
If you don't want to do that, however, you might not collect the balls and call the police the next time they trespass into your yard .
I still believe that talking to them is the most reasonable solution, though
Good luck

Dimey

Does your local council have an arbitration service? They may help. Usually its free.

I'd take pictures of the 40 balls in the garden to show the arbitrators and I'd video the children trespassing.

Right now, I'd phone the police to come collect the balls and warn the neighbour that he's bordering on criminal damage and anti social harassment so stop it.

tyllwyd

Are the parents reasonable? I'd be tempted to keep the balls, and tell the kids that you are happy to give them back, but only if their parents come round to ask for them. Hopefully the parents will get fed up / embarrassed at having to come and ask for the balls. Does depend on what the parents are like though!

McKneff

Who in their right mind actually would buy their kids more than 40 balls.

MrsE_2

TerryPalmer wrote: »

40 is a lot!

Have you tried speaking to the players? Why not explain about your fence being damaged and that you don't want any further damage.

Give them the balls back this time but explain that if it continues you will be forced to take further action. Give them a chance to put it right, show some faith in the youth of today.

As annoying as it is, there's very little facilities for youngsters to go a play 'safely' these days.

If it was me I would explain you are willing to let them collect there balls when they come over (save you having to throw them back) but if your fence gets any more damage you'll be forced to speak to their parents or the police.

This has been going on a couple of years. I've had the community police involved.
The boy destroyed my fence with his balls, eventually I replaced fence, I couldn't prove it, they said the fence was old (it was, but it's only the 10 panels in the middle nearest his goal posts that fell apart......

MrsE_2

JohnAtk wrote: »

Why don't you try talking to these guys? Explain to them that you're not happy with this situation and they have to find somewhere else to play. I think they will understand your concerns.
If you don't want to do that, however, you might not collect the balls and call the police the next time they trespass into your yard .
I still believe that talking to them is the most reasonable solution, though
Good luck

You don't know this family. They cost me a pretty penny already getting 10 panels replaced.
They are chavs, working chavs, but chavs none the less.
They can't trespass anymore as I've replaced the fence.
They told me I was wrong when I said their son wasn't allowed to enter my garden to get his balls, they actually thought he had the right to enter anyone's property to retrieve a ball he had kicked over & told me he WOULD keep on coming in to get them.

MrsE_2

McKneff wrote: »

Who in their right mind actually would buy their kids more than 40 balls.

Make that 41, I can see another one today that come over yesterday.