Little brat broke my gate!

[WoofWoofMooWoof]

Ugh, I'm so pissed off . One of the neighbourhood kids (B for brat) used to come into my garden early in the morning before the DC and I were up, and make a complete mess of my garden. Destroying the DCs toys, wrecking my plants etc. I banned him from my garden, and always keep the gate locked. A few month ago I had to pay to have the gate repaired as the neighbourhood boys keep climbing on it (tall wooden gate).

This afternoon I went into my garden and the neighbours tell me that B has broken my gate trying to climb into my garden. And true thing - the top of the gate is smashed to bloody smithereens (supporting wooden beam) - the gate is unsteady and will probably fall over. I found out where B lives and went over to have a word with his parents. I told him mum her son broke my garden gate, and the first thing she says is: so what do you want me to do about it? I told her it needs to be fixed. She says she's skint, but will come around to have a look. Which of course she never did, and probably never will, if what the other neighbours have to say about her is anything to go by. WIBU to 1. Have someone around to fix it and send her the bill. 2. Tell her that if I ever catch her little brat near my garden again I will report him to the police for trespassing (he's 10 years old). According to her he's broken all her stuff as well. FFS, surely I shouldn't have to pay every time her brat decides to break my gate/furniture/plants/DCs toys etc.

I would ask a police officer to do a criminal damage report- as to deter their horrible child from damaging your property- then have it repaired and the bill sent to brats mother.

He's a little terror for sure but the police won't be interested in trespass so you'd be best not saying that because you'll look a bit silly when they tell you trespass is a civil matter

Fence spikes, you can get some pretty lethal looking ones and all you're doing is keeping the pigeons of your fence

*off

As a police officer I can tell you trespass isn't taken very seriously but criminal damage is.

Fence spikes! Shane - you're a bloody genius!

Anti vandal paint. She wont want that trailed in her house.

I'd report to the police - isn't it criminal damage? Even gives lad a scare and gets him to stay away.

You could put anti climb paint on the top

Call the police and insurance. Get a crime reference number. if you install spikes, or spiky plants, you should put up a warning sign to protect yourself from potential lawsuits.

Anti climb paint? Just on the top so it doesn't get on you when you use the gate properly.

That anti-climb paint might be another idea if the spikes look a bit too threatening!

Thanks Stormy. I don't want to waste police time, but I've been telling him to stay out of my garden and off my gate for almost a year now, and this is the second time the gate has been broken .-

It's ok OP. Please call 101 and ask for someone to come make a report- if you don't this kid will repeatedly break your things to the detriment of your own DC.

You don't have to have him charged ofc but he needs a good, strong telling off and his mother will need to get her head out her arse. It's criminal damage and you shouldn't have to pay for her bad parenting.

You should be able to find a community police officer in your area, this is the sort of thing they will be willing to help you with, as well as going to see the child and having words with him.

I'd call 101 if his mother is incapable of disciplining him, I'd also be putting anti-vandal paint on the fence.

I've contacted the lovely guy who fixed the gate last time, and he's coming around to have a look. I was on hold to 101 for almost 10 minutes (I know they're short staffed), so I gave up and am now completing the online form. Will put anti climb paint on there as soon as it's repaired.

Definitely anti vandal paint on the gate, and maybe a gate that's less easy to climb?

I second contacting PCSOs. Our local ones were brilliant with a family of kids that had no idea of boundaries and played in front garden flower beds.

Police also advised a neighbour that they were fine to put spikes/paint on their fence if was a clear notice in sight saying the spikes/paint were there so they didn't risk any come back from anyone spiked/covered in paint through trespass.

I think the paint will work best, as the little brat will probably take great delight in trying to remove any spikes I put up. Ugh!

Occupiers Liability Act 1984- if you use anti climb paint, put a sign up (even if it's an inch wide) saying that's what you've used, that way if the boy injures himself he can't say he wasn't aware about the paint.

Pity you're not allowed to electrify the bloody thing. Can you call SS and report him for being allowed out and about at antisocial times too? The mother doesn't seem too interested.

Hang onto the fact that they sound like they're their own worst enemies. Patience will bring it's own reward, and remember that revenge is a dish best served cold (sorry for the cliches!).

And yes, invest in anti-climb paint. It's horrible when you get it on you.

Make sure you report it too 101!
He needs to be told he cant keep coming into your garden!

He needs telling by someone in authority - it's pretty obv his mum is nt going to.

Make sure you have a notice up saying about the paint so there's no come back on you.

You can use 101 online for no or things like this. They ring you back as soon as possible.