Name changed for this!
We're having ongoing trouble with a family in our street. I know kids fight and fall out, but this goes beyond that I think.
All the kids in our street play on the communal grassy area at the end of the cul-de-sac (across from my house so I can see what goes on from my living room window). There are fallings outs and sometimes fights, but it's usually dealt with reasonably. However, a few years ago another family moved in further up the hill and their child has been constantly bullying mine.
They are the same ages (8/9) and it started out with this other girl calling my dd names etc, which although she was upset with, we told her not to worry, ignore it etc etc. This then progressed to hitting, throwing stones, on one occassion she threw bricks at my children's heads (also have ds 5), it is a constant onslaught. In the first instance I went to this child's parents, but got verbal abuse. Every time my kids are out, down this other child comes and starts hitting, spitting, throwing stones etc. I don't let my kids play up her end of the street to try and avoid her, but she comes down this end, even as far as sitting on my front wall swearing & spitting at my dd, and when I go out to tell her to go away she tells me the police have told her she can go anywhere she wants!
I even resorted to keeping my kids in, going out to the park etc to avoid the confrontations, but then my kids feel like they are being punished when they haven't done anything wrong, plus it then means they don't get to play with the other kids in the street. Our own garden is tiny so they can't even play properly in there, or that would be an option.
I've even caught this other child climbing over the fence into our garden and ripping plants out etc.
We have phoned the police regarding the more serious instances, but each time they tell us there's not really much they can do - they say as the street is a public area they cannot tell this child she can't come down to the front of my house.
I have had abuse from the parents as well. One instance the mother came to my door shouting and threatened to "sort me out". Another incident last year I witnessed both the parents chasing a 5yr old boy down the street and the woman slapped this child across the face. They then came banging on my door threatening me. The police did try to charge them over this but it came to nothing.
Today this child crept up on my dd and whacked her with a stick, then when my dd turned round she punched her in the face. The police are coming to see me tomorrow, but I expect it will be the usual "can't do anything".
They are housing association tenants, but even the HA is bloody useless. AIBU in thinking that we shouldn't have to put up with this? We only want to be left in peace and for our kids to play outside without being assaulted! This child is out of control - it's obvious her parents can't control her, so shouldn't the police be doing something?!
Am I over-reacting? What would you do??