How to deal with neighbour's kids messing with car?

anewman

Now it's summer the kids two doors down have started messing with the car doing various things including spraying water guns at it. Thought I would post here as it is to do with neighbourly issues and dealing with kids, and hopefully the people in this forum are more level-headed. Maybe also people with kids can give a reply based on how they would feel if I had done a particular thing in response to their child's behaviour if I were their neighbour.

It may also be relevant to this post that I caught their mother smashing eggs on the roof, bonnet and stuffing them down the air vents about 6 months ago - although I did not see her doing this, when I ran out as the alarm went off she was stood next to it claiming to be looking to see if anything had happened due to the alarm going off - when she would have a perfect view from her doorstep and she got there very fast. And not long before there was no egg on it. So obviously a whole family with no respect for other people's property. I did not confront her about this but probably should have done, although there was no hard "proof" she did it. I suspect they are jealous I have a car. Also, the car is parked in bays out on the street offset from the pavement in front of the houses, so they are not traversing my property to do their thing.

I know spraying water guns over the car is relatively harmless, but it's not theirs to spray water on, I do sometimes use filtered water to help prevent water marks when cleaning it. If I had painted part of the car it would cause damage, and I have no doubt if I did the same to other people's cars I'd soon end up in the local A&E with people showing me their appreciation.

I am not sure what to do - don't want to be seen to be making a big thing out of nothing or trying to cause hassle, but I do not want them messing with the car. I also do not wish to escalate such behaviour or bring further undue attention to my car. Certainly not all summer holiday. I'm not the best person at talking to people (shyness, social anxiety, asperger syndrome [guess more and more people are hearing of that now but here's a description The National Autistic Society - What is Asperger syndrome? ] or whatever it may be) so have wondered if I should write a letter warning them off, or just go out and play hell when they're messing with the car. If I was perhaps more "normal" and chatty with them I would not have the problems I am currently experiencing - but have to deal with things as they are anyway. But I am wondering what I should do. Do I stick a letter through their door? Do I go out and play hell when I catch them messing with it? I do not think going round and having a word will work.

The kids are aged approximately around 3 to 7 years.

Here's a letter I have drafted. Any thoughts or proposed modifications to the letter draft would be appreciated. Only thing I can think to add is perhaps an explanation of why I sent a letter rather than asked them, and maybe add something to the extent that I wish to remain on good terms with them, but not sure how to put it.

I wish to politely ask if you could please stop all of your children from spraying water guns at, intentionally kicking footballs at, and any other such activity directed towards mine or anyone else’s car. Otherwise I shall be forced to contact the Anti Social Behaviour Team at Leeds City Council and take further action. It has gone on for 4 days now and I am not putting up with it.

Many thanks,

Kind regards.

Savvy_Sue

I suspect there are too many long words in that letter. Too many words full stop. But alas it's too late for me to suggest how you could say it.

I'm not even sure a letter will do any good at all.

One question, are they renting their property? If they are, then contacting their landlord is an option, because they could be in breach of their tenancy agreement.

zoelouise88

we had problems last summer a group of kids were going round smashing windows and slashing tyres, you could try asking thier parents to stop them but from the sounds of the mum she probably wont maybe try contacting your local council to report it

anewman

They will most likely be renting. It's nothing terribly serious but seems to be escalating from spraying water guns to kicking balls and if the ball I saw being kicked the way it was hit the window a certain way it would have most likely broken. Problem will be they think they're doing no wrong and so will the parents.

Perhaps this is better?

I wish to politely ask if you could please stop all of your children from spraying water guns at, intentionally kicking footballs at, and any other such activity directed towards mine or anyone else’s car. Otherwise I shall be forced to contact the Anti Social Behaviour Team at Leeds City Council and take further action. It has gone on for 4 days now and I am not putting up with it.

Many thanks,

Kind regards.

The bloke works for Leeds City Council (probably refuse) and here is the team mentioned here http://www.leedsinitiative.org/safer/page.aspx?id=2460&ekmensel=cdb9b7c3_54_198_2460_1 This letter seems straight to the point.

Savvy_Sue

That is much better, although I would not hold your breath. If you think they are renting from the council, then you can phone the housing dept and ask if it is one of 'their' properties. If you say that you are having problems with their tenants, then the Housing Officer should investigate and ask them to cease and desist. I think if the property is owned by a local Housing Association they should be able to tell you that as well. Not sure: when we had serious problems with one particular family I was able to check whether it was a rented property - unfortunately it wasn't so there was very little the council could do, even though as soon as I gave the address the chap clearly knew exactly which family I was talking about!

ailuro2

Maybe they are doing it to wind you up, not realising you have issues around communicating with them at their level.

Do they see you when you're out polishing your car, using bottled water to clean it - they probably think that you think you're better than them, and are rubbing their noses in it that you have a car and they dont.I know it's sad of them, but they do sound pretty scumlike. The water thing I would ignore, the same will happen in the rain anyway.

If they are kicking a football at it, then go find something to do in the car- get a newspaper from the car, or a shopping bag from the boot. Whatever it takes. Take something out with you to leave behind so you have another excuse to go back.

If they're still kicking the ball at the car while you're there , then tell them to "Stop that, you might damage my car, and YOU will get a bill for any damage, and you wouldn't want that to happen,would you? then walk away without getting into an argument with kids. Threatening to tell their mother sounds ineffective, so I wouldn't bother with that one.

Writing a letter would,imho, let them know you won't talk to them, and that they are winding you up big time, which will make them feel satisfied. Do any of your othe neighbours have problems with them? Do your best to talk to them, and find out.

Just my tuppenceworth.

Pinkylouloubell

Hi there,

I really do not think you are overreacting if in the past she has done the egg things, this is totally irresponsible behaviour from a grown woman!!
No wonder her kids are following her.

I also tottaly "get" what you mean about shyness/anxiety when it comes to being more chatty/friendly with the neighbours.

I have had various "confrontations" with my next door neighbour who is in my opinion a bit warped as she threw a torrent of abuse at my 7 year old DS.
And then called police and said I was to blame and assalted her (untrue BTW).

I have had many many scenarios played out in my head about rows we "may" have over different reasons and end up just winding myself up even more and feeling panicky and anxious constantly.

I also wish I had been more friendly to her so all of this never happened, then think HANG ON A MINUTE, I have done nothing wrong, I am not to blame for this, but hey it stills goes round my mind.

So far this year I have managed to totaly ignore her and her kid and have decided to rise above it, but she has been no direct threat to me as yet.

I mena, how long can you go without saying something..........
and if you do, what will the repercussions be?

Its like the lesser of two evils.

I really feel for you.
Do you live alone or have a family or anyone you can talk to, just to get it off you cheat.

Please feel free to PM me if you want to chat,

Take Care,

Pinky

Pinkylouloubell

Chest not cheat, ooopps

Stephb1986_2

We have 4 vehicles 2 vans and 2 cars one van is on our driveway and my car is on the lady across the roads driveway as she recently passed away and her daughters have asked if i can park it there to make it look like someone is still there, so we have 1 small van and 1 car slightly on the pavement and on the road or we would be blocking the road.

There is a lady next door but 1 to where im parking my car she has 2 grandchildren of about 6 and 9 who like to play up and down the road with go karts ect ect they are in the road for one and many of times i've nearly had them in my van and also they keep racing past my dads car and are getting quite close to it once even scratching it, when my dad went round the grandmother just stated that they do not live round here and they are just visiting!! They aren't even watching these kids out of the window!

a few times i've had to park my car on the pavement slightly and on the road and the kids have been racing past it again (its brand new on a 08 plate) so you can imagine i will not be chuffed if the little toe rags touch my car. So i've gone out this time and said "alright mate can you keep away from our cars please" and he said ok and sort of keeps away but you know the brain power kids have now! lol.

Maybe doing that will stop them?

Sorry for the long post

Steph xx

Just dont get me started about the bloke next door to where i park my car grr!

pulliptears

Personally, I'd look at ways of wiring it to the mains.....

However, the illegalities of that tend to be a problem, so I'd suggest the same as sue, contact the Housing Association and complain!

Also, get yourself a CCTV camera pointing at the car (make sure it only films your property though!).

Paparika

Do you have a neighbourhood watch meetings, maybe ask the person that runs them to politely say in one of the meetings 'the dangers of playing near cars'