To tell these kids to bugger off

[MTBMummy]

Every sodding night, often as late as 10pm, a group of 3 boys (age10-12-ish) playing football in the street outside our house.

I've got a 9month old baby I'm trying to get to sleep, and a 5 year old who's a light sleeper. And they're out there kicking and shouting and swearing, they often end up kicking the ball against the cars or bins/doors. Any requests to move on are met with a torrent of abuse.

What can I do to move them on? At what time is it reasonable to expect them to go in?

[WorraLiberty]

Well since they're abusive when asked to move on, I would call 101 and ask them to deal with it.

[MagpieCursedTea]

I agree with Worra, phone 101. I used to play football out in our street at that age but never that late and if we got told off we'd listen (just realised how old I sound...)

[Timeforabiscuit]

If they are gobshites - just go out and tell them its 9 o'clock, its too late for playing football, you need stop disturbing people now. Don't enter any pointless discussion, just tell them they are being a nuisance and they need to move on - this can work if you have an authoritative presence, don't try it if your not comfortable.

If they carry on, if you've got friendly ish neighbours talk to them! They may know where they live and you can mention to the parents (who may be under the illusion they are at a friends rather than knocking round the streets) , if you have a council ASB team you can contact them for advice and neighbours can do the same.

If they are damaging property you can call the police 101 number,

[TinLizzie]

Find an Opera CD and go and sit in your car playing it VERY loudly with the windows down. That should shift the little blighters.

[Haggisfish]

I'd call 101, too. Have you tried politely explaining that you have a baby they keeping awake? I did this with our local yobs and they said oh sorry and wandered down the road, quite politely. I heard a neighbour another night just yelling at them to fuck off Znd go somewhere else and they were met with a torrent of abuse from the kids.

[FrancesNiadova]

I'd be worried that children aged 10 are out, unsupervised at 10pm. Call 101 to report the nuisance and report your child protection/safeguarding concern.

[MTBMummy]

Thanks all, well they've packed it in for tonight. I've tried explaining they're waking the baby, and had the ball kicked really hard at one of the upstairs windows. Neighbours aren't sure where they come from, but have had a wing mirror broken, and their flat garage roof (when one of the kids decided to climb up to get their ball back.)

It started in summer, and I thought they'd go away as it got darker, but no such luck.

Will try contacting 101 tomorrow night, I was upstairs settling kids so have only just seen your replies.

Most frustrating is that DP just has the view "they're just harmless kids, leave them to it" but I'll be the one forking out to repair any damage.

[Haggisfish]

How unpleasant and disappointing. They bloody are not 'just being kids' -id definitely be calling t' polis!!

[Jessica78]

Don't take photos of them if they are young? Can open - worms everywhere! Just ask the police to come by...

[BoomBoomsCousin]

There's nothing illegal or immoral about taking photos of people (even children) in public places who are engaging in illegal or anti-social acts if the purpose is to be able to identify them to police.

[BoomBoomsCousin]

Though better to have the police come by while they are in the middle of being a nuisance.

[GillSans]

either you or dh go out every night and join in the game. Get all your neighbours to join in too. A nice friendly community kickabout.

You wont see them for dust.

[GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt]

No, don't take photos. If they see you, they might decide to accuse you of all sorts. If they're already kicking balls at your house, you really don't want it to escalate into aggression.

[GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt]

Definitely call the police though, I'm surprised you've been so tolerant for so long.