to call the police about children chalking swear words onto our wall

[designergirl]

Need advice. We live in an end terrace and yesterday I noticed that someone had been chalking on our wall "Shit" and "f**ker" and "dasted" and "nob". They've also done it on the wall down the road.I asked our next door's daughter who plays out a lot (on her own - she's just turned 4 She said it was her brother and his friend (aged about 6) . I spoke to his Mum who spoke to him. He said it was such and such a person, an older boy who lives where they used to live.So either him or his sister is lying. I am not sure if it was him or not, but it seems awfully convenient to pass the blame on to someone who lives elsewhere.
I have reported it as an incident and have an incident number, but I am not sure about asking the police to attend. The operator said they will and sometimes the presence of a policeman is enough for some kids. At least it has washed off, but I am annoyed because my kids are small (aged 1,3,5,8) and I don't want them knowing these sorts of words.Also, Mum doesn't seem too bothered about it, though I did hear Dad phoning someone asking who did it.
WWYD. Should I draw a line under it now as long as it doesn't happen again, or should I call out the police?
I envisage having to call out the police at some point for this family as since they moved in they have had a few loud parties that have gone on until 2am. I already spoke to their landlord.Should I save the police call until something more serious happens?

I think I would leave it for now tbh - you have told the parents and hopefully it won't happen again. Police seems a bit OTT for now.

I would save a police visit for something bigger, tbh. Just an incident log means there's a record if needs be, but calling the police out for chalking rude words is perhaps a bit of an over reaction, even though it's not behaviour you want to encourage.

It's annoying but I'm not entirely sure what you want the police to do about it.

Have you got one of those community support police people in your area you could speak to or a community warden type thing? They might respond quicker.

Its probably quite low down on the police to do list.

I just happened to see a policewoman earlier walking around and she said with minors and grafitti what they do is give them a hi viz vest and make them clean up the grafitti themselves. That's what they could do

I agree with the above, you've let them know that you're not happy about it.

YABU , its not a big deal

Yes, I know, because its chalk and not permanent marker at least its removable

Its a bit of chalk not spray paint

I just happened to see a policewoman earlier walking around and she said with minors and grafitti what they do is give them a hi viz vest and make them clean up the grafitti themselves. That's what they could do

Did she realise you were talking about 6 year old minors as opposed to 15 year old minors?

They will have got the message that you are not going to stand by when this sort of thing is done so, hopefully, it won't happen again.

I would get earplugs for the parties (though also mention to them about the noise/lateness) but falling out with neighbours is not nice so I would try to keep friendly if poss.

Give your 'younger' kids a water pistol each, let them have some fun blasting it off!?

Police indeed!

Yes I think so TheUnMember

We want to sell our house soon as well Greatauntirene so I don't really want to start a war if possible

I really don't think they will do that with a 6 year old - below the age of legal responsibilty and all that.

If I were you I'd write a scary message in response on the wall (in chalk for easy removing purposes!). That'd stop them!

Police won't do anything because it's non-permanent criminal damage.

They'll only get involved if the graffitti is hate-related (i.e. homophobic, racist) or permanent. If it keeps happening you may get a sympathetic officer who'll agree to attend because the length of time you've had to spend altogether cleaning it off could qualify it as meriting a report of 'permanent'. But you may not.

This is not because the police are lazy btw it's because non-permanent damage is not a recordable offense, so there's feck all they can actually do about it.

Best bet if you really want to speak to someone in authority would be to find a number for your neighbourhood force from their website and give them a ring. You'll get through to a PCSO who may agree to have an informal word.

If I did that at all Pandawatch it would be on their wall

lol I could write on their wall next time they have a party "Could you keep the fecking noise down"

6 year olds who have just learnt the words having a giggle writing them sounds normal to me, certainly not something I would bother the police with

I hear you, but that's not how potential buyers are going to see the situation

I'm sure my DS drew a cock on my front path once

I did make him clean it off

Oh no!

I agree it's not good, but its not a police issue

Greataunt I can't put earplugs on my baby!