unreasonable amount of balls over the fence?

ali-t

MrsE wrote: »

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.

I have new neighbours recently moved in with children and on day one a ball came over that one of my dogs destroyed. The next day a frisbee and another ball came over - same story again. I have had to warn them not to come and get their balls back as the dogs are territorial. Thankfully their mum has been nice about it when I went round to apologise and said it was their own fault for putting balls over the fence. There hasn't been anything since so they seem to be taking it on board or maybe they have just run out of balls!

Could you get a dog that likes chewing MrsE?

Davesnave

JohnAtk wrote: »

Why don't you try talking to these guys?

Why start by assuming Mrs E hasn't?

TerryPalmer wrote: »

Have you tried speaking to the players? Why not explain about your fence being damaged.

Do you really think they don't know already?

tyllwyd wrote: »

Are the parents reasonable?

Yes, all reasonable parents buy their kids 40 balls and watch them kick them into neighbours gardens!

Mrs E, your situation is pretty extreme, but what some have written here suggests that perhaps you've not done enough! :rotfl:

TerryPalmer

Davesnave wrote: »

Why start by assuming Mrs E hasn't?


Do you really think they don't know already?


Yes, all reasonable parents buy their kids 40 balls and watch them kick them into neighbours gardens!

Mrs E, your situation is pretty extreme, but what some have written here suggests that perhaps you've not done enough! :rotfl:

I think the reason people have said this is that they didn't know the full story, you cannot make a suggestion without knowing the full story.

I agree its very extreme and if you have tried speaking to the parents and warning the children then I'd recommend collecting the balls up and either donating them to a charity shop, or finding a local football team who I'm sure could benefit from these balls.

Tell the children you put the ball back over the fence if they ask.

MrsE_2

TerryPalmer wrote: »

I think the reason people have said this is that they didn't know the full story, you cannot make a suggestion without knowing the full story.

I agree its very extreme and if you have tried speaking to the parents and warning the children then I'd recommend collecting the balls up and either donating them to a charity shop, or finding a local football team who I'm sure could benefit from these balls.

Tell the children you put the ball back over the fence if they ask.

I did post a link in my opening post which gave more info re the history of this.
I'm not sure I am allowed to give the balls away, but I will clarify with the community bobby.

MrsE_2

40 balls is actually ridiculous & they can't see over the fence. They dont care if im in the garden or not!
My 2 year old grandson has a right to use my garden without risk of being hit with missiles!

splishsplash

I would dispose of the balls. Let them prove otherwise, I'd love to see them try. Who in their right minds would believe one kid had kicked 40 footballs over a fence? I wouldn't even think twice about it.

I would also put a security camera up and film him hitting my fence or entering my yard. If he does it again, go straight to the police each time he either damaged the fence or climbed over it (yes, it's perfectly legal to film in this way).

You've already tried talking to them, they clearly don't give a toss, so sod 'em - make a stand and take no further cr*p from them.


40 balls! Strewth :eek:.

evoke

Get a wireless IP CCTV camera looking out onto your garden. They are fairly cheap these days (cheaper than replacing fencing panels!).

You could also talk to your home insurance people and, if you have the legal cover option, talk to their legal team for advice which would usually be free if you have the appropriate cover. They may give you some better options.

It's not just the nuisance of having a ball landing in your garden. As others have said, it's the constant thudding of the ball that shatters the peace and quiet that you are entitled to.

Dimey

I say this has gone on too long. You can't just sit back and passively give balls back - 40 at a time!

There are good suggestions in this thread. CCTV from upstairs window to prove what's happening - perfect.

Consider erecting two tall posts and connect a net between like they do around some tennis courts.

Visit solicitor or CAB to establish legality re return balls or not. Certainly don't throw them back, you're encouraging them. Keep them in your house till the parents knock for them or take them to the police station. Till you find out if you can legally take them to the dump.

You could ask the solicitor about sending a registered letter asking them to cease and desist from hitting your fence or any of your property and from throwing objects over your fence likely to cause injury to your grandchildren. Warn that any further balls or missiles will be thrown away. Consider this paragraph adapted from another MSE thread.

"Take note that I revoke license under Common Law for you, oryour representatives, or your property to visit me at my property and if you do so, then you will be liable to damages for a tort of trespass and action will be taken, including but not limited to, police attendance."

Your household insurance may fund the legal cost. But first ask the Council anti social behaviour unit whether they will do it for you; or the arbitration service.

evoke

Trying to think of some other ideas that are not going down the legal route. Perhaps you can just have a chat with your neighbours over the garden fence and say you've got a cat who's scared to come out into your garden because of the thudding from the footballs against the fence? Or maybe suggest you are on some kind of medication (God forbid!) that makes you distressed when you hear the thudding sounds. Perhaps something along those lines?

Mojisola

evoke wrote: »

Trying to think of some other ideas that are not going down the legal route. Perhaps you can just have a chat with your neighbours over the garden fence and say you've got a cat who's scared to come out into your garden because of the thudding from the footballs against the fence? Or maybe suggest you are on some kind of medication (God forbid!) that makes you distressed when you hear the thudding sounds. Perhaps something along those lines?

I don't think that a neighbour - who must know that their child's 40+ footballs have been kicked into the OP's garden - is going to care in the slightest!

If it does go further and it comes out that the OP had lied, it won't help the situation.