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Original poster

Neighbour kids climbing in my garden

82 replies

littleHollow · 16/08/2025 18:03

Neighbour boys on the back play football against my fence all day long which is annoying but my problem is they climb over into my garden to collect them. I have never kept their balls as I throw them over if I see them on the garden so I don't understand why they keep coming over for the balls. I have caught them I don’t know how many times on my garden and asked them politely to not come on to my garden. The mother is well aware of what they are doing so going to speaking to her I feel isnt going to get me anywhere. As I am writing this I have had to ask them again to not come on to my garden . I have also ask if they could play facing the other way with I have just heard the kids slating me for it. I’m not sure where to go from here. I feel disrespected and feel like I have no privacy and I don’t want to go on my garden as I’m just waiting for balls to come flying over and can’t relax. The kids are polite and do apologies but they are back over the next day. What should I do about it?

OP posts:
ACynicalDad · 17/08/2025 08:57

dilema2024 · 17/08/2025 06:51

Why would you post things that are clearly inaccurate ? Do you know how many people call the police day in day out repeatedly over things ?
of course the police can’t come out for this

Show quote history

We reported three things online, not harassment but absorbed car, nice and something else and they knocked on the door stating this was policy.

Throwntothewolves · 17/08/2025 08:45

Go and speak to their parents. They may know the kids are climbing over, but they may not be aware you're unhappy about it. The kids probably tell them you said it's fine.
I've not RTFT but no doubt some will suggest keeping or bursting the balls. Don't do that. For one it won't work, they'll just get more, and it will create more animosity than there needs to be. Besides, what kind of person steals or destroys childrens toys? Plenty of MNers it seems.

Goldengirl123 · 17/08/2025 08:02

Don’t ask them not to come into your garden TELL them, very firmly

InterestedDad37 · 17/08/2025 07:58

The Romans used big trenches full of wooden spikes - might be an idea 😀👍

MamaElephantMama · 17/08/2025 07:43

I would want to stab the ball and throw it back over too. If the kids and mother don’t listen then start disposing of any ball that comes over.

BMW6 · 17/08/2025 07:39

Add trellis to the top of your fence so they can't climb over.

dilema2024 · 17/08/2025 06:51

ACynicalDad · 16/08/2025 18:54

I'd tell them that you will throw back any balls you see but if they come again you will report them to the police for trespassing and do an online report. I think if you make three or more complaints there is a legal requirement for the police to come out so it shouldn't take too long to resolve one way or the other. Even better if you put a security camera up.

Why would you post things that are clearly inaccurate ? Do you know how many people call the police day in day out repeatedly over things ?
of course the police can’t come out for this

Tiredallthetimeneedsleep · 16/08/2025 23:36

Do you mind coming back with an update OP?.

LOLsurprize · 16/08/2025 23:29

definitely the paint/ grease/ creosote type covering on the fence - os the back fence your property though?

any hedges or trees will end up getting trampled all over.
dogs will get fussed and played with.

hope you sort it.

vipersnest1 · 16/08/2025 22:38

Stab every ball that comes over. Blame your (non-existent) dog and say you’re really sorry but the dog gets to them before you do.
You will need to try very hard to keep the smile off your face, but it will be worth it! 😈

HelplessSoul · 16/08/2025 21:33

everardshutthatdoor · 16/08/2025 19:39

You can’t put spikes up OP, I’m sure you realise that! The best suggestion I’ve seen here is to take the balls inside and only return them to the parents. If that doesn’t work, throw them into someone else’s garden. Preferably a couple of fences over.

Please cite us the "law" which forbids spikes on fences?

Thank you.

lkjhgfdsa · 16/08/2025 21:30

We had a dog that never chewed our balls but completely destroyed any he found that had come over the fence. He was ace.

I like the idea of holding the balls hostage for the parents to reclaim. Make it inconvenient for them and they're more likely to act.

Or maybe get a needle and put a tiny hole in the ball before you throw it back. So it's not obvious you popped it but it slowly goes flat.

Nopenott0day · 16/08/2025 21:12

Borrow a Jack Russell, fab at destroying balls kicked over by little shits darlings.

Timeforabitofpeace · 16/08/2025 21:02

TALK with the mother.

sueelleker · 16/08/2025 20:43

HelplessSoul · 16/08/2025 18:34

Stab their balls and throw them over into another garden.

Also, spikes on fence on your side so when they grab it to hoist themselves over, natural selection will exact justice.

Yes to the spikes.

BurntBroccoli · 16/08/2025 20:35

Send a formal letter to your neighbour asking her children not to trespass and that each and every time they need to retrieve a ball, they must ask permission.

Get a camera in case they choose to ignore and mention this in the letter.

bellamorgan · 16/08/2025 20:28

Take up growing fruit. Gooseberries are nice and also stabby.

carly2803 · 16/08/2025 20:24

anti vandal paint!!

godmum56 · 16/08/2025 20:08

do they own or rent? If they rent, speak to the landlord.

MyLimeGuide · 16/08/2025 19:56

What awful neighbours you have :-( dont throw the balls back in future, pop them! The grease idea and spikes is also a good idea, such a shame some neighbours have to be such morons 😔

JudgeJ · 16/08/2025 19:51

rubicustellitall · 16/08/2025 19:24

borrow a friends dog for a few weeks..

Rent your garden to the local nudist group for their meetings.

Bananaandmangosmoothie · 16/08/2025 19:51

Came here to say vandal paint as well.

ItsameLuigi · 16/08/2025 19:47

I tell my son if he kicks the ball next door (only happened once luckily) it'll get popped by their dog. Got him a big football goal now so that's stopped the issue. Try vandal paint, or get one of those noise things that only young people hear lol. A shop in my city used to have it outside and it stopped teens from sitting there

Cherrysoup · 16/08/2025 19:44

I like the anti-climb paint suggestion. Isn’t it impossible to remove?

JudgeJ · 16/08/2025 19:43

CoffeeBeansGalore · 16/08/2025 18:49

Can you put some netting on top of the fence (2 or 3 foot)? Should help stop the balls & make it harder to climb over.
You shouldn't have to have the extra expense but it may solve the problem.

Or grow nettles where they come over.