We've had continued trouble with some youths in the area using our back garden as a cut through between two roads but this last week it's gotten worse.

Holly caught two young buys climbing over our back fence and cornered them - when I confronted them they were apologetic and I thought that would be the end of it.

At 6.40pm this evening Eloise was running around the garden in her underwear when a lad (17) from down the road climbed over our back fence. Ellie started screaming, the dog starting barking and Chris (hubby) went mad. This lad stated that he always uses our back garden as we're hardly ever in and that as long as he doesn't damage anything we can't stop him. Please someone tell me this isn't right????

I called the police and they're sending the local beat officer out tomorrow but I'm not sure what he can do. This is really starting to get me down as I can't relax in the lounge without worrying about who's going to come over the fence. I haven't slept properly for nearly a week because I keep thinking I can hear people outside. This used to be such a nice area but it's really gone downhill since Christmas and now I hate living here.

Has anyone got any suggestions as to what we can do? Apart from move, which we can't afford to do at the moment as all our money is tied up in savings for Canada.

Fiona
x x x

Hello Fiona,

Understandable the way you feel, your 'home territory' is being 'invaded and threatened'!

Could you not put barbed wire on top of the fence? (Personally, I would feel like putting an electrice fence up)!!!

Hopefully, that Officer coming to visit you, will give you advice of what you can legally do to protect your property.

I would also consider a notice saying 'Be Aware of Dogs' (note plural)!!
Also, I believe nowadays you should not suggest an aggressive dog, i.e. 'Beware of Dog' - hence some new signs which say "Be Aware".

ALSO, why not put another notice on your fence saying "CAUTION BEWARE OF BROKEN GLASS" - needn't be any, but how are they to know!!! - and especially in the dark!

Ask the Officer what he/she thinks about this.

Equally, for a while, once something is implemented, I would keep a check on the garden before dogs or children are out there, to ensure nothing is thrown over out of malice! - (This only depends on attitude of the youngsters - either accepting to avoid your garden or feeling a need to retaliate) - hence check with Officer.

Good Luck,
Denise.

Some Berberis just where they land would be an unpleasant landing for them - ask your local parks if they are pruning any to save you buying some

Christine

Fiona, Blooming heck what a flaming cheek, I could say stronger but won't. This is typical of today, it is your garden no matter if you are in out or in Timbuctoo, a friend had problem like this with paperboys and she went to the shop and it stopped but this doesn't sound like that would help in your case. How about a stategically placed manure heap!! I had a problem like this with 2 small children next door spoke to parents and it stopped, NOT!!! I had to paddlock the gate when I spoke to the mother she didn't seem to see any problem with them coming into MY garden. I explained I was getting a new puppy and I was afraid he would get out under the gate in the shared close response " It'll be all right" thank goodness they moved. The awful thing is if dog should bite them you get blame. You have my sympathy as it is an awful situation, have you tried CAB for advice Anne

I have just looked and you are in England so have at least got trespass law, in Scotland damage must be done. Your daughter was frightened is that not a starting point as if a dog had done this all hell would be let loose on the owner.

Fiona, Just had another 'alternative' idea.

A sign that reads

"Important/Polite Notice, In view of recent events concerning children, anyone found intruding on this property will be considered by the Owners and Police as a possible threat to the children who live here".

Regards, Denise.

what about a lovely pile of smelly horse manure spread all along your fence plenty of sloppy stuff too :)

Grow a bramble hedge.

Fiona

Go to your local hardware store and you can buy anti-clime paint, it remains really slippery. Or perhaps an anti-vandal paint that doesn't dry and if they get their clothes dirty they might think twice - maybe a nice mix of sump oil, creosote, grease etc.

And as suggested, something fast growing and very spikey on the landing side.

Good luck.

9th

A couple of Saguerro Cactus plants would do the job for a nasty landing spot ;)

:D just what I was thinking Sara! Surely if you put up a No Tresspassing sign, then any one who comes into your garden uninvited can be taken as trespassing?
When the police come around I would definately emphasise the fact the Eloise was scared and that you feel threatened. I hope you get this sorted, if not I would be very tempted to leave the little sods some very nasty surprises :D

as in sprinkling some of Holly's (ahem) droppings around??? Or does anyone have a nasty diaper ???? ;)

Pyracantha(sp?) has vicious thorns on it. They wouldn't want to traipse through it a second time!
LynnT

Hi Fiona.

I don't know how I missed your post. I am so sorry but this I would love to see.

I'll come camp out for a week. Unbelieveable.

Trespassing is not tresspassing until it has been repeated IE once the little shi-s do it once and you tell them not to next time it is an offence and the police can and should do something.

I have never heard of people actually climbing over a fence. Can I ask how high the fence is as you can only put things on top of high fences and it sounds likr it may no be too high.

I am still gobsmacked.

Do you have a ditgital camera so you can get quick pictures if need be..

I am away to think about this one.. What a shame for you.

Pam

Hi Fiona

Did the beat officer turn up and if so was he any help?

Christine

The police didn't come out - they don't seem to think it's important enough. :( The fact that the youths concerned and well known for assault and arson doesn't seem to concern them.

We've got a 6ft fence at the back but they just scale it as if it wasn't there. We've now got security lighting out the back so we can tell if there's anyone out there. I waited up all night for them last night and the little b*ggers were no where in sight.

I'm no going to approach the local planning officer to find out what if anything I can put on the top of the fence as a barrier (trellis/overhang) to try to stop them. I'm not sure how high the extra bit can be before I have problems with planning permission. I'm also not sure if it's my fence or not so that could cause me a problem.

Chris put a load of anti-vandal paint on the top of the fence so hopefully that'll stop them - we'll have to wait and see on that one.

I spoke to my solicitor and he said that the only effective way to stop them is to get an injunction out with power of arrest but unless they threaten me it's unlikely to be granted.

It looks as if I'll be borrowing the Rottie for a few weeks again - I just hope he gets on with Holly!!

Thanks for all you help and advice - it's really frustrating knowing that one family have ruined this area. :(

Fiona
x x x

Fioan this is also when I strong pressured garden hose comes in handy, A hoselock spray gun does have a good setting that is like a canon. You could soak them when they come near it.

Try and get your light pointing to the part which would pick them up before they leap it and you may just have a second or 2 to grab the hose.

The rottie would help....

Pam

I waited up again last night for them - they came over the fence at about 2.45am. I heard them come over so phoned the police to say I'd got intruders in the garden and got them on cam-corder coming over my fence, through the garden, over the fence at the back and into one of the houses.

The police eventually came out at 5.15am and looked at the video. As no damage was done they decided to wait until 9am to go round and see the youths concerned. Apparantly they don't like to disturb people at such and early hour!! It didn't stop them banging on my front door though and waking my kids up.

Hopefully this should be the end of it, but if not I'll keep the hose handy :D :D :D I always said that fire hoses should be used to break up riots - no one likes to be wet and cold :D :D

I wonder if I can link the sprinkler up to the security lights, so they'd come on together when the motion sensors picked up someone?????

I can feel another project coming on :D :D :D Now, where did I put my nail gun???????

Fiona
x x x

Hi Fiona,

What a terrible night for you and your children.

I think Irene may be right about watching the can of worms as they sound above the law a bit but fingers crossed anyway and hopefully will calm down a bit for you..

Pam

I think I would start with a motion sensitive flood light. We have two on our property and they're brilliant!

You may have a fence up to 2 metres high without asking for planning permission (unless it abuts a highway, when it should only be 1 metre high). If you need to go higher, you could apply for planning permission! A few inches of open trelllis or chicken wire should make it difficult to climb over. Alternatively, plant the dreaded leyland cypress and you can currently let them grow as high as you like!

Michael
30 August 2002

Thanks Michael :) The fence at the back is 6ft high so I can put some spiky topped trellis on - that should stop the little horrors.

Fiona
x x x

Hi Fiona, sorry to hear you are having trouble with idiots, just watch what you do as you usually find these type of people have no respect for anything, their parents, their own property, or for others, they will think "this is great fun" getting you annoyed, you could open up a can of worms, i.e. they could retaliate and could make things nasty for you, please be very carefull, I would go with the manure or spiky bushes etc and get as much evidence as you can with your cam recorder, can you not have an outside light on all night to illuminate your garden, that way you can watch what is going on, also folk like that dont like to be seen, they think they are so smart that they can get away with anything. The manure would be the first thing I would do, no one likes smelling of ****and that could put them off, if their parents complain, its manure for your garden, and the idiots should not be cutting through there in the first place, If you catch them in manure with your cam corder, you could send it into "youve been framed" LOL