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Original poster

AIBU to report toys left outside house blocking a narrow pavement?

111 replies

worldshottestmom · 19/04/2026 20:22

I walk down a certain street very regularly to get to a certain place. The building I have to get to is at the end of this street and there are no other ways to access it. Outside this one house, there is constantly toys there free to a good home. I think it's lovely leaving toys out for people who may not be able to afford them, or just as a way of repurposing them so they don't immediately end up in landfill.

However, the toys are there constantly, and it's not just a few, either. It's about 3-4 boxes worth every other week, and the public path that they are left on is veeeery narrow. I was walking past today with the pram with my DD2 in it and a loose toy on the floor caused the pram to tip almost into the road before I caught it.

I knocked on the door and said to the man who answered that it's really lovely he's leaving these toys out for free, but would he mind putting them in his front garden as my pram had nearly jusut tipped into the road due to a loose toy on the floor. He said he can't put them in his front garden as it's really small and has a wall in front so no-one would see them, and that no-one else has complained about it so maybe just be a bit more careful going around it. I said I was careful but it's really hard to get past because the path is so narrow, then suggested maybe just leaving 1 box at a time so it's less of a hazard. He said he's not just leaving 1 box as he has no room in his house and wants them gone, then suggested I walk on the road (!) So I don't have to dodge them. I told him I won't be walking in the road with my daughter in the pram and he needs to do something about it and left it at that. For context, there is no path on the other side of the street.

Honestly I just feel a bit annoyed that I tried to address it politely and was met with a 'it's not my problem' attitude.

Aibu to report this as fly-tipping? I really don't want to as it would make me feel awful knowing they have kids and I'm reporting them and going to get them fined or whatever, and I know they're being generous by giving away the toys for free. I just feel I've already tried to address it and there's not much more I can otherwise do, and it's just generally getting annoying I'm ngl. I'm also weary that he is going to know that it was me who reported him, and I have to walk past this house pretty frequently.

OP posts:
MyThreeWords · 20/04/2026 09:23

I kind of understand, OP, because I get ragey about people parking with their wheels on my local pavements, or letting their shrubs and hedges overgrow them to the extent that you have to step off the road to pass.
But honestly I have to keep reminding myself that this anger is simply a spillover from feeling generally angry and stressed about a lot of things in my life. A completely avoidable obstruction on the pavement is not really a problem.
Even if you did evacuate your anger successfully (in the sense of getting him to change his habits), you would probably be left with a sense of stress and defensiveness about the encounter, and you would ruminate about any sign that he had seen your demand as unreasonable.
Much better to try to try to cultivate an attitude of calm as you pass the toys. Some long deep breaths and a mantra about tolerance or letting go or whatever ticks your box.

Edenmum2 · 20/04/2026 09:13

Laserwho · 20/04/2026 09:06

You can if you report it.

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Ok so she reports it, the toys disappear, she’s going to be anxious every time she walks past because of course he will know it was her who reported….so how long is this going to drag on for? Weeks? Months?

Or….she could step around the toys and not waste another second thinking about it. I know which one I would choose.

Laserwho · 20/04/2026 09:06

Edenmum2 · 20/04/2026 09:04

You can’t change other people’s behaviour, only your reaction to it.

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You can if you report it.

Edenmum2 · 20/04/2026 09:04

worldshottestmom · 19/04/2026 20:56

Of course I have other things to worry about, I'm not worried about the toys. Im bothered by his audacity to say that he's not going to move it all onto his private property, he's going to leave it on a public path and I just have to walk in the road with my 2yo daughter. This has been going on for months

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You can’t change other people’s behaviour, only your reaction to it.

Laserwho · 20/04/2026 07:53

I bet all these people who think it's fine to block footpaths drive everywhere. I walk everywhere, blocking the path is a nightmare for prams, wheelchairs and people with sight problems. Think next time.

Laserwho · 20/04/2026 07:48

Mintchocs · 20/04/2026 06:32

Oh bloody hell OP dont report a kindly old man for fly tipping because he gives away toys to families that might very well really need them, unless you want three ghosts visiting you this christmas!

If the toys are in your way just move them out the way, honestly.

Impossible to do if you are in a wheelchair.

Laserwho · 20/04/2026 07:47

araiwa · 20/04/2026 06:29

I'd be more concerned about all these prams and wheelchairs flying around at such high speeds they can't avoid a box on the pavement and will have some kind of casino Royale, James Bond style accident where they flip over

Wheelchairs don't go at high speed. When they are blocked by a box they carnt move any further. They carnt just go on the road if there isn't a slope. Wheelchairs won't flip over, but it does stop them from moving

Teaandtoastserveddaily · 20/04/2026 07:18

Loads of people do this in Leeds where I used to live. Its fly tipping pure and simple!

Samewrinklesnewname · 20/04/2026 07:04

YANBU the guy’s having a clear out, and can’t be arsed taking things to a charity shop/tip, so stick a “help yourself” sign on it and he comes out as the good guy, rather than what he is, which is a lazy fecker, and people on here are falling for it

Original poster
worldshottestmom · 20/04/2026 07:03

OhBumBags · 19/04/2026 22:01

Stop trying to boss people around as you've managed to make yourself look even more ridiculous now.

I was referring to the OP talking about wheelchairs tipping over, but you appeared to not realise that and now you're embarrassed.

Just get over it, mistakes happen 🤷‍♂️

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I have a friend who is a wheelchair user and walks her dog with her as well, she has nearly tipped a couple of times due to her dog pulling her when approaching curbs etc. Is everyone on this site really so close-minded that they cant fathom that, because they don't see it every day or havent seen it before, it therefore does not happen and cannot happen anywhere in the world?

You seem to really find the prospect of a wheelchair user tipping over being so unlikely that its hilarious and its weird to be honest. Even if they didnt tip over, theyre left stranded in the street waiting for someone to move all this trash cos they cant get past.

I mean, your first comment to me was to say im petty, pm accuse me of lying as you cant "imagine" a toy to cause a pram to tip over, and suggest my pram was the problem. Now you're just on a tangent mocking me for saying a wheelchair user could tip over, which is something else you apparently can't imagine.

Maybe do some work on your imagination, instead of acting like a dog with a bone to strangers online. Wheelchairs can tip over because of hazards, thats why drop kerbs and ramps exist in the first place.

OP posts:
Original poster
worldshottestmom · 20/04/2026 06:48

Jellycatspyjamas · 19/04/2026 22:23

How can you be around so many people unable to control a pram. I’ve literally never seen a pram tip over being pushed down the street, despite the poor condition of some pavements. There’s generally speaking an adult able to see what’s in front of them and able to navigate minor obstacles.

Yes I’ve no doubt it’s annoying that he’s leaving them there, but it’s not a danger to your child.

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The area I live in has a lot of older pavements and roads that are now constantly undergoing repaving etc. There is one street with raised parts on the path that are cut off by people's driveways, meaning having to lift prams etc probably about 8 times to get from the start to the end of said street (not the one in OP, but just giving you an idea my area is a nightmare from prams and wheelchairs)

OP posts:
Dollymylove · 20/04/2026 06:46

Speak to the local comunity PCSO and ask them to go round and have a word with him. Yes it might be a nice gesture for kiddies but its also inconveniencing pedestrians. It could be construed as fly tipping so he needs to be aware that he could face a large fine. Or be in trouble if someone is injured through his actions

Original poster
worldshottestmom · 20/04/2026 06:45

Hellohelga · 19/04/2026 23:07

The pavement is cluttered by a few boxes, but there’s no traffic as it’s a dead end, so you can easily pass by on the road. Yet you want to report him for fly tipping? Incredible. If you have to use his road regularly and you land him with a 1k fine you might find he pops out to share his opinion with you.

I like how everyone has just assumed there is no traffic due to it being a dead end, lol. The building Im getting to is quite busy on a particular day of the week, there is traffic - no it isnt heaving, but its besides the point. I just know for a fact if this was occurring on half the posters streets who are telling me to get a grip, they would be very much annoyed by it. The path is very very narrow and there are a lot of older people requiring walking sticks etc in the area, its only a matter of time before one of them have an accident too. But you can all call me dramatic and side with this man that he has every right to leave his trash in the street, whatever

OP posts:
Original poster
worldshottestmom · 20/04/2026 06:40

Mintchocs · 20/04/2026 06:32

Oh bloody hell OP dont report a kindly old man for fly tipping because he gives away toys to families that might very well really need them, unless you want three ghosts visiting you this christmas!

If the toys are in your way just move them out the way, honestly.

He wasnt old or kind to me but ok lol

OP posts:
Mintchocs · 20/04/2026 06:32

Oh bloody hell OP dont report a kindly old man for fly tipping because he gives away toys to families that might very well really need them, unless you want three ghosts visiting you this christmas!

If the toys are in your way just move them out the way, honestly.

araiwa · 20/04/2026 06:29

I'd be more concerned about all these prams and wheelchairs flying around at such high speeds they can't avoid a box on the pavement and will have some kind of casino Royale, James Bond style accident where they flip over

Dollymylove · 20/04/2026 06:22

worldshottestmom · 19/04/2026 20:35

Forgot to mention this in my OP, I too thought at the time what if that happened to a wheelchair user and they tipped and were left helpless. Some will say dramatic but its a scenario that could happen.

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Also those with impaired sight. Could have a nasty accident. Surprising how so many PPs are dismissing this as unimportant, walk on the road, get a grip etc.
I wonder where all the toys are coming from that the person keeps putting them out regularly 🤔

Laserwho · 20/04/2026 05:37

Hellohelga · 19/04/2026 23:07

The pavement is cluttered by a few boxes, but there’s no traffic as it’s a dead end, so you can easily pass by on the road. Yet you want to report him for fly tipping? Incredible. If you have to use his road regularly and you land him with a 1k fine you might find he pops out to share his opinion with you.

Pedestrians shouldn't be forced onto the road

Laserwho · 20/04/2026 05:35

Hellohelga · 19/04/2026 23:09

The OP is being silly - 70% of PPs think so.

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Your the type of person who parks on the pavement aren't you? No the op is not being silly.

Hellohelga · 19/04/2026 23:09

Laserwho · 19/04/2026 22:13

Hate to break it you but it's a PUBLIC forum. Oh and the OP is not being silly. Quite the opposite in fact

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The OP is being silly - 70% of PPs think so.

Hellohelga · 19/04/2026 23:07

The pavement is cluttered by a few boxes, but there’s no traffic as it’s a dead end, so you can easily pass by on the road. Yet you want to report him for fly tipping? Incredible. If you have to use his road regularly and you land him with a 1k fine you might find he pops out to share his opinion with you.

Jellycatspyjamas · 19/04/2026 22:23

worldshottestmom · 19/04/2026 20:33

As stated in OP there is no path on the other side of the road, so id have to walk in the road with my DD in the pram to get around it all. I could just spend my time picking up the loose ones everytime I go past but id really rather not tbh. I feel like that would be his responsibility. I've seen prams tip many times, my own used to tip frequently on a raised a pavement stone until it was finally fixed.

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How can you be around so many people unable to control a pram. I’ve literally never seen a pram tip over being pushed down the street, despite the poor condition of some pavements. There’s generally speaking an adult able to see what’s in front of them and able to navigate minor obstacles.

Yes I’ve no doubt it’s annoying that he’s leaving them there, but it’s not a danger to your child.

AnotherName2025 · 19/04/2026 22:16

worldshottestmom · 19/04/2026 21:03

Some people have no principles

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What? That reply to tgat pusts makes NI sense.

neither does a pram almost tipping into the road because there was a toy on the path. Just watch where you're going & move a couple of toys if you need to. You're behaving very weirdly.

vanillachoc · 19/04/2026 22:15

I would report it and he can take his own shite to the charity shop.

Laserwho · 19/04/2026 22:13

OhBumBags · 19/04/2026 22:11

FFS why do you insist on talking about hazards and getting involve with MY post to the OP?

If you took your nose out for long enough, you'd see the conversation you're trying to make all about you, was about the OP saying a wheelchair could TIP OVER.

I replied that the OP was being silly.

No-one mentioned you or your bloody posts.

I'm sorry to break it to you.

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Hate to break it you but it's a PUBLIC forum. Oh and the OP is not being silly. Quite the opposite in fact

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