Just caught 2 kids playing knock down ginger

[BitterlyLemon]

They had been knocking on the door all night to the extent that the dog was going mental.

What they didn’t realise is I have a camera on the front of the house so the 4th time they did it, I opened the door as they were about to knock

I meant to just scare them but for some godforsaken reason I chased them (god knows what got into me) and caught one 🫣

They were absolutely terrified. I told them to stop it as they were winding up the dog and asked them where they lived (on the street).

Have I officially gone mad? Will I forever be known as the madwoman on the street? They were only about 8 or 9

We only played it in daylight. And it was called Knock Up Ginger there.

You'll be forever in their lives now. When they're 40 they'll be all "Omg do you remember that bitterlylemon woman who chased us down the street!!!? That was amazing. 2026 was the best. Playing knock down ginger before we had to pay the mortgage"

worse when it is teenagers late at night.

if you have a window above your front door be ready with a bucket of water.

there’s nothing illegal about chucking your own water out out of your own window on your own property.

Stopped many of us from risking it when we were kids (I’m not sure I’d have ever actually done it anyway) after a neighbour did it to a group of older kids and complete with a bag of flour raining down on them for good measure 🤣

Does it really matter?

She probably had to grab them to stop them running away but as long as she didn't hit someone else's child (which she clearly didn't) then no harm done.

It's the kind of silly game that kids find funny but they do need to be made to understand that some people will find it frightening; some will find it annoying (eg if they disturb babies or pets); it will cause pain to some (eg those with mobility problems who struggle to answer the door) and anybody will be pissed off if they do it repeatedly.

She shouldn't have grabbed a child.

Oh, you mean cherry knocking! (East Mids)

It doesn’t say anywhere that she did.

Called “knock and run” where I am.

they shouldnt knock and run away, repeatedly

Read the comment I am responding to.

I agree. Doesn't make it acceptable to put your hands anywhere near someone else's child, though.

"Knocky nine doors" in S.W Durham

Being “absolutely terrified “ is fine, a lesson learned hopefully.

I did read it.

Congratulations.

I've never heard the term 'known down ginger' but then I didn't grow up in the UK.

I'd post their pics on your local next door or whats app for your area. We had 10yr olds break through our fence when renovating. They tried kicking the front door in then threw a rock and smashed out window. They didn't realise we had cameras!

What do you call it/what does it translate yo if not English)?

I have no idea why it's called cherry knocking where I am!

Thank you. I’ll rattle your door later.

It was very imaginatively called "knock door run" when I was a child.

Just beat me to it- was about to say Knicky Knocky Nine Doors in the North East 😁

We had the very similar "knock a door run" when I was growing up.

I never did it myself but only because I was too scared; not because I realised the impact on the people inside when other kids did it.

Chickenelli where I am (east coat Scotland)

Well to be fair, you can’t grab any child and drag them anywhere even if it’s your own kid. All adults know you’re not supposed to ‘snatch’ (your word) children. Someone in the situation has to be the grown up, wouldn’t you agree?

Oooh shall we have a quick moan about the existence of dogs and fireworks whilst we’re here too guys?

We can have a Rd WhatsApp group full house then 🙌👏