Anti social behavior or boys being boys

Another parent not wanting their little jimmy to be told off.
Be good for the police to speak to them.

Hopefully it gets a message across and they won't do anything else.

But they are not causing any antisocial behaviour just by being there are they?

If they were making big noise, littering or playing loud music then yes they would be

@Thechaseison71 because they know they are not meant to be there and couldn’t give a shit.

I have read the bloody threíad And this post of yours

Itstimeforachangeagain · Today 10:33

There is nothing to " lighten up" about.

Anti social behaviour causes so many problems for local communities.

The area I live in has a lot of community football clubs that provide a real outlet for young people. And there is never a week goes past with out reports of vandalism that threatens the very existence of these clubs because they dont have the money to repair and replace the damage done. And the sick thing is the worst hit clubs are those in the most deprived areas where the clubs are doing a lot to try to help the local community.

No wonder young people behave badly when people like yourself tolerate and excuse anti social behaviour

Still don't see how so w boys playing football on a pitch ( not vandalism) is anti social

You have read the thread.

Ok so what was your point abouti8

Major reaction all round then, especially the club who left the gate open to begin with!

Can’t believe the police are wasting their time on this.

I would be telling my son not to go on the pitch again even if the gate is open, that is all.

A group of kids with a ball saw an open pitch and took advantage of the situation end off. Majority of kids would do the same, I know mine would.

My point was not about the trespass.

"They broke in". Did they? Did anything actually get broken? Or did they walk through an open gate? We don't know.

Also, trespass in the UK is generally regarded as a civil matter and not one the police usually get involved with.

Well I guess in an ideal world @xILikeJamx sports facilities would be fully funded and maintained by the govt. Fair enough. And I am impressed that your local facility is treated well.

I stand by my point tho that a minority of ppl will act inappropriately (it has certainly happened near me as I said) hence clubs exercising some control over when people can access their facilities.

A few kids standing about kicking a ball at the goals cause far less damage than structured training sessions of fully kitted out teams. this is odd. How can there be more damage caused by a properly overseen session led by a qualified coach than might be caused by access to the facility by anyone at any time?

If we let all-comers on to our athletic track, with handy weapons (shot, discus, javelin, hammer) and potentially dangerous equipment I dread to think what might happen. I have seen serious injury happen sadly even at properly staged events, which ofc in itself raises questions. The idea of letting anyone come and practise their hurdling technique or their pole vaulting with no one supervising is just horrific tbh.

Anyway doesn;t look ast tho @ChocolateSqueezyyogurts is planning on coming back to clarify on some points made. Still an interesting discussion.

I have already given my reasoning above. And yes I'm on the committee of a club with it's own facility, but not the one I mentioned in my previous post.

Our one gets locked up when not in use and guess what - it still gets damaged. A few kids standing about kicking a ball at the goals cause far less damage than structured training sessions of fully kitted out teams. I want to turn our facility into an open one and fundraise for the extra maintenance in the community as my local club does.

I personally believe that it should be illegal to lock up sports facilities but that's another argument!

I would also like you to explain your reasoning @xILikeJamx

Are you involved in managing a sports club with its own facility? I am and while we are delighted to welcome members at the appropriate times, to leave the facility permanently open would be bad for the facility (damage, whether deliberate or accidental, is a big issue) and potentially dangerous for users.

Did they cause a nuisance

Clubs should receive government grants for maintenance to leave their pitches open when not in use. Keep kids active, healthy, outdoors and building social skills.

The club local to me has little gates that allow an adult to barely squeeze through that are left open all the times. The pitch has about 50 kids on it at pretty much all times when school's not in - I think it's amazing. They fundraise in the community to help with upkeep and locals are gladly willing to donate for all the good it does.

I read the thread. Still don't see what's anti social

If you are speaking about the trespas that's not a criminal offense

they broke in. That is not useful, that is trespass. I think the police should take action. It might prevent them from breaking into someone else's facilities in future.

My point is: if OP is one of those weak "oh boys will be boys" parents, she needs to grow a spine, and get on top of this before it gets worse.

Tbh I would actually be considering legal advice if the police insist on this visit. You have got to watch them as they often go beyond their powers with young people who they believe don’t know their rights.

I’m not convinced any criminal offence has been committed here. Certainly not one that requires this much police time.

Presumably they have sent someone out to speak to the club, review CCTV, then contact the parents and now want to carry out individual home visits for numerous teenagers.

It is an absolutely scandalous waste of time and resources!

It’s not so much the “crime” that was committed here it’s the OPs attitude.

If she was to say to her son that it wasn’t ok that he trespassed and that he needs to be more respectful etc it wouldn’t be an end of the world situation but it’s the fact OP is basically patting her son on the head whilst chuckling and saying “oh boys will be boys, you did nothing wrong now run along and play.”

This attitude sets boys up to become entitled men who think they’re allowed to do what they want when they want with no consequences.

The people suggesting damage is likely to have been caused don't have a clue what they are talking about and are just looking for a way to criminalise these kids.

Astroturf pitches can be damaged by football boots with blades or wet-ground studs. Not by trainers!

It's amazing how much people hate to see kids having fun. Yes they shouldn't be sneaking in there and should be told not to do it again, but it is standard boundary-pushing I would expect from any teen (male or female) with a bit of mischievous spirit!

It's all in the phrasing, isn't it? "Young people find disused land and engage in an outdoors sport that encourages healthy team-building and co-operation." is a much more positive spin.

Interesting how the police knew who they were

@xILikeJamx ca you explain that. The club will have to pay for maintaining the astro (very expensive). they would be liable if anyone gets hurt on their property. Why should it be free for for everyone to use at all times. They have CCTV, I bet they have had problems with damage, to fork out for CCTV

Trespassing is a civil matter, it only becomes a criminal matter IF the boys had been asked to leave and they refused by the land owner.

Id be having words with my child because frankly your child is lying , they knew they shouldn’t have been in a gated astro pitch with no permission or paid to be there.

However I’d refuse the warning, as no crime has been committed and would get my lawyer involved if they tried to force the issue.

I’m not convinced playing football on a football pitch indicates anything about being a useful member of society!