to ask how you would handle this antisocial behaviour?

[NannyHJ]

A few weeks ago (not Halloween) we woke up to find the front of our house, and vehicles on the drive, had been egged. We cleaned it up and hoped it was a one off. Now, for the past two nights, we've suffered similar, with eggs and vegetables .

Our house is one of a pair of semis, our neighbours are lovely and they haven't had a problem up to now, although their house is a bit better protected from the road. Both of us have good size front gardens, so we're not right next to the road. We're semi rural and the only other nearby property is directly opposite ours and it's a specialist, small unit residential home for kids between 10 and 17 who have high risk behaviours or are particularly vulnerable. There have never been issues before beyond the odd bit of rowdy behaviour which we ignore. I believe they're providing a really valuable service.

So, although I have no proof that the offender is living opposite, it's a fairly safe bet. I really don't know how to handle this, as popping over for a chat could easily raise hostility, but I'm beginning to feel a bit threatened. WWYD? (And I've already made my own joke about gathering up the evidence to make egg and chips so you needn't do that.)

Contact the manager of the him and ask him to confiscate the eggs? I'm sure he would understand that you feel annoyed about the situation

I would ring up (you'll be seen by them if you go round) and tell him. I'm sure he would want to know.
If he doesn't then you contact the police.

It's vandalism but not an emergency or urgent so log it with 101 and let them investigate.

🚨

I'd call the non emergency police number, and they'll be able to take details and give you advice.

Thanks everyone. I think you're right; I'll call 101, log the incidents and ask for advice.

I've called 101 and logged the incidents and had a long chat there. The woman I spoke to was very sympathetic and has said that next time it happens, I'm well within my rights to call the police and ask someone to attend. I've also managed to find a phone number for the head office of the group that runs the home and spoken to somebody senior there, who has promised to investigate and call me back. Your responses to my post gave me the nerve to do something proactive, so thanks to you all for your suggestions.

I had this a few years ago (I'm a teacher, lived on my own...)
I called the police every time it happened (not 999, the local number) and they were fab. They increased patrols in the area and even dropped in to see me one Saturday night to make sure everything was ok.
It did stop eventually.

I've spoken to the manager across the road now, and she put a very good case as to why it was unlikely to be one of the young residents there. I'm mystified now. We're virtually in the middle of nowhere and neither I nor DH have done anything to cause anyone to target us in this way. I'm alone in the house this evening and feeling really quite vulnerable. If there's a repeat performance tonight before DH comes home, I think I'm going to be on the phone to the police.

Odd. Get CCTV camera up? Might dissuade them anyway..

What was the good case? A 17 year old is surely not locked in the house 24/7? Seems the obvious answer but hopefully it will stop of it's own accord.

But perplexed as to how unit can be sure it wasn't one of her kids! I work with similar group and I wouldn't be so confident! Do they have CCTV outside??

The explanation given was that the kids are all in their bedrooms by around 10pm (earlier than the incidents), their bedroom windows do not open fully so they can't abscond (and none of the kids' windows face us) and the doors to their rooms can't be opened without an alarm going on the computerised system they use.

There is no CCTV on the side of the house which faces us. Don't know about the front door area.

Where there's a will there's a way Nanny could it have happened earlier and you not notice?

Could be their associates on way home.

And I would be surprised they can't open windows fully- fire risk???

Oh no. I heard the thuds on the front of the house. It's only a matter of time before a lucky shot causes some real damage I should think.

And also sceptical they are all in rooms by 10pm- many of the social workers I know that work in residential spend a fair bit of time looking for kids late at night.

Yes, I wondered about the fire risk flossietoot, but she stated very clearly that all bedroom windows are fitted with restrictors.

Has it happened the same time each day? Any handy water pistols?

I don't know what to think now . I'll just have to wait and see what happens later tonight.

Unless it is a secure unit I really can't see this being ok- i was doing inspections in a supported accommodation unit for young adults earlier this week and windows all opened fully, but we're on safety latches. Did you speak to the actual manager or a team leader?? They also will have CCTV most likely on their own entry so can easily check what time the kids are actually coming in at.

Any handy water pistols?

That made me laugh. Thanks.

The night before last, I went and stood at the corner of our house in the shadows and I couldn't see or hear anyone - just thuds and splats. That's why we were convinced they must be coming from the other side of the wall of the property over the road. I told this to the woman I spoke to on 101 and she told me not to risk getting hit or we'd be looking at an assault charge!

It was the manager I spoke to flossietoot.

I wonder if they maybe see being in their garden as being in for the night!

I don't know flossietoot. That certainly wasn't the impression I was given.