Fence wrong way round

wannaberich41

Apologies if posting in the wrong place.  I’m looking for advice for my daughter who purchased her first house 18months ago.  A new build on an estate.  It backs onto the green area of another estate.
Her back fence is smooth on the inside not the frame showing.  The frame backs onto the green area.  

Last summer a few time’s children had climbed up the fence and into her garden (aged 6/7) messing about.  She has a dog as well.  She ignored it because of their age. But this year

They now throwing lumps of would with nails etc into her garden, chucking stones at the house and neighbour has told her that they play quite often in her garden when she’s at work.  Neighbour has had issues with said children as well.  Think it’s a case of they’re out of sight of mum so she’s not bothered, 

surely the fence should of been built the other way round to prevent this?

It looks like this on the plans so who do you discuss it with the builders or the planning department of the council? 

Any advice please?

Norman_Castle

You cannot blame the fence for this. Speak to the parents. Adding trellis or anti climb paint could be an option.

Davesnave

The council planning dept have no interest in which way round a fence goes and after 18 months the builder may well deem your daughter has accepted what's there.

There are plastic anti climb strips that may be fixed to the top of the fence (not the metal anti-bird ones!) They won't injure a child as they are blunt, but they would make it much harder for the kids to access the garden.

TELLIT01

If she had a problem she should have raised it with the builders at the time, not 18 months on.  Most people would be more likely to complain if they had the rails exposed on their side and the 'good' side of the road away from the property.  One option would be to inform the local police of the problems of vandalism and trespass.  If others are having similar problems (they probably are) additional PCSO visits may be provided. 

Kids of the age mentioned are probably back at school now so the problem will hopefully diminish.

chrisw

Are they individual fence panels? If so, just take them out and turn them round. Nobody will be bothered if it's just a green area on the other side.

Jeepers_Creepers

I agree with Tellit - what needs addressing is the behaviour of these kids. 

They are only kids, and probably don't really appreciate the distress they could be causing with what they probably reckon is a bit of larking about; a good local PCSO with an engaging attitude could probably put this right very easily - or oblige their parents to do so...

That is the solution.

Anything you do to that fence to make it harder to climb ain't going to stop the debris flying over it. In any case, these kids manage to find their way out of your garden too, so I doubt a smooth panel is going to hinder them if reversed. Anyhoo, these kids need to know what's right and wrong - what is unacceptable. 

Could your neighb - who witnesses them in your garden - take a photo so they can be identified? Without knowing which kids they are, you're a bit stuffed. (Assuming it's ok to photograph kids committing 'crimes'?)

Or, buy a cheap recording CCTV and set it up to cover your garden and fence - pass the info to the Bobby.

wannaberich41

the anti climb paint we’ve looked into , but seen a few cases where the kids parents take the people to court for the mess it’s caused on their dear little off springs clothes.  The mother is a person well he’s out of my way and not bothered about anyone else. 

wannaberich41

Police have been notified and cctv in operation.
might try the trellis idea though as if he brakes it patents will have to pay for the damage. 

I’ve looked at the cat fence plastic spikes but not sure how this would stand if they got injured.
the fencing is feather boarding. So have thought about knocking them of and turning them around so on other side.  But didn’t want to get in trouble with the council for doing so. If that’s boys what’s on the plans.
He comes in after school or weekends. 

es5595

Is he causing damage to your garden/fence? Especially deliberate damage? 

If not, maybe you could try and work out what times he’s there with the CCTV and “intercept” him. It might be he just wants to get away to a safe place, and this could be your opportunity to speak to him and find out why. 

If the police aren’t helpful, social services child protection might be more useful. 

Davesnave

wannaberich41 said:

Police have been notified and cctv in operation.

I’ve looked at the cat fence plastic spikes but not sure how this would stand if they got injured.

Leave it to the CCTV now, as you have involved police  so you no longer have the plausible reason it was to deter cats. That info would have been better included in the first post!

williamgriffin

es5595 said:

Is he causing damage to your garden/fence? Especially deliberate damage? 

If not, maybe you could try and work out what times he’s there with the CCTV and “intercept” him. It might be he just wants to get away to a safe place, and this could be your opportunity to speak to him and find out why. 

If the police aren’t helpful, social services child protection might be more useful. 

Deliberate damage or not hes below the age of criminal responsibility.