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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not preemptively report neighbours to the police?

436 replies

Mrbluethecatt · 21/08/2017 15:32

I have a large back garden, large enough to have a trampoline, swing set with climbing ropes, cargo net and shoot. There is also a skateboard ramp type thing. This part of the garden isn't visible from the side gate.

Over the summer dss13 used the garden with his friends so the side gate wasn't always locked (with padlock and key). DH actually lost the padlock at one point so it was unlocked all the time when we were at work and dss13 was at summer clubs.

As the schools went back last week I asked dss19 to pick up a padlock and lock up before going out Friday morning. Dss19 picked one up and returned home, locked the side gate (without going into the garden). He was wearing his headphones (this is relevant).

I got a call from nice neighbour as he heard shouting at my front door with other neighbour banging on it. He was gone by the time I got home but left a note.

Essentially his DW had let their 3dcs (under 7) play in my garden (without our permission). This is something that she had done many times before when we were out. She then tried to leave but the side gate was locked. She had told her DH that she shouted at DSS who locked her in anyway. She got upset called him very upset as it was raining, kids crying etc.

Her DH had to leave work and get ladder to get them out of garden. The side gate is metal and is part of our garden wall. The note said that we were out of order, we have traumatized the DCs. He intends to report us to the police for unlawful detention. Hmm

Both DH and I have tried to speak with him and his DW over the weekend but they never answered their door. Dss said he didn't hear anything as he had his music on. I have suggested to DH we write them a letter. Telling them they were trespassing and shouldn't have been in the garden and that we are not responsible for what happened. DH also wants to preemptively report the neighbours to the police just encase. I think the neighbours are all talk and won't have went to the police themselves. DH disagrees. Should we report them?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
LetsSplashMummy · 23/08/2017 11:49

There's no way they think it's a general play park as they only sneak round when you are out! It's amazing they are so shameless but just keep digging.

LagunaBubbles · 23/08/2017 12:00

I asked who he spoke with. The Planners apparently. Well he didn't because I work for the planning department of our local council. I pointed this out too. He just went all blush

Oh my! Thats made my day! Grin

ClemDanfango · 23/08/2017 12:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fannydaggerz · 23/08/2017 12:06

My garden is similar to yours and you can't see right at the very back if you're at the gate at the side because of our trees like yours.

Your neighbour is being unreasonable, not you.

wowfudge · 23/08/2017 12:19

Wow - your CFNs have taken this to the next level with your garden being the play park for the street! What planet do they live on? Watch out for them installing a gate in the fence between the two gardens as their next move. The solicitors letter might want to pre-empt any fence interfering shenanigans.

Mittens1969 · 23/08/2017 12:27

I've only just rtwt, I can't believe the couple are so deluded, fgs. That they actually think your garden is a public play park! Let them talk to their solicitor lol.

Fitzsimmons · 23/08/2017 12:31

I've only been on Mumsnet for about a year and it's been a real eye opener. I can't believe that there are this many cheeky fuckers in the world!

justilou1 · 23/08/2017 12:34

If only you had made an appointment for them to go into the planning department on one of the days you're rostered on....
that would have been beautiful!

GeekyWombat · 23/08/2017 12:37

Can we have a picture of your DS' personalised garden sign? Please?

iamapixiebutnotaniceone · 23/08/2017 12:49

This thread has made my day! I'd actually love to have neighbours like that, a great source of entertainment! Grin

ClearEyesFullHearts · 23/08/2017 13:06

Mrbluethecatt (or anyone else), colour me stupid but I still don't understand who owns the play equipment featured in your diagram. Is that the play park for the neighbouring estate, or is it yours?

Cheers for the cracking thread.

angelnix · 23/08/2017 13:14

clear-eyed the op owns the play equipment in her garden. I read the diagram as the wall is six foot high between their house and neighbours and the garden is split in two with trees shielding the play equipment at the end of her enclosed garden.

DooWhaaDiddy · 23/08/2017 13:20

What's wrong with their garden? Can they not hat their own (maybe smaller) garden swing and
Slide? They are shocking !

Morphene · 23/08/2017 13:21

whhhahahahaha

Just awesome.

GwenStaceyRocks · 23/08/2017 13:34

I am Shock at their sheer cheek.
I hope DSS finished his sign and you've attached it to the gate.

mrsmildred · 23/08/2017 13:45

"Mrbluethecatt (or anyone else), colour me stupid but I still don't understand who owns the play equipment featured in your diagram. Is that the play park for the neighbouring estate, or is it yours?"

I'm assuming the neighbour mistakenly thought the OPs play equipment was part of the public play park, with right of access through the OPs side gate? In this case you can understand how the neighbour is now angry the access has been shut off.

What I can't understand is how they mistook a personal play area in a private garden to be for public use in the first place, surely the two would look very different in lots of ways? Also, why the neighbour is continuing to be dispute this now he has been corrected?

SleepThief84 · 23/08/2017 13:52

What planet do these people live on?! Seriously. Lunatics.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 23/08/2017 13:54

I asked who he spoke with. The Planners apparently. Well he didn't because I work for the planning department of our local council. I pointed this out too. He just went all blush

This is one of THE best things I've ever read!

Grin
Mrbluethecatt · 23/08/2017 13:55

Update - neighbour has phoned the office - my office Planning. I didn't answer the phone but a colleague did. Apparently he was calling to complain about 2 things 1. Our changing the use of our garden to a play park without permission. 2. For building our 6ft 30 year old wall without permission. Colleague told him 1. It's a residential garden with play equipment. 2. The wall (similar to his own) was built when our homes were built 30 years ago.

I had to explain to colleague and boss were this was coming from. Both boss and colleague have been in our garden with their kids at least once. The call has been logged and if he or DW calls again, they could get a vexatious caller letter.

Part of my job is dealing with folk like this so I'm not took worried as I know we are in the right. Usually these types of people will talk themselves into trouble no need for me to help them.

DH and I had already decided to remove the equipment next month (donating it to a local charity) so we can get parkour equipment installed. And no neighbour won't be invited to use it.Grin

OP posts:
Morphene · 23/08/2017 13:59

ARGH! dying laughing here.

He complained you'd turned it into a play park when the whole fucking point is that it ISNT a play park....its just your garden!

So not only are you evil for preventing his family using the play park that doesn't exist but you are also wrong for having a play park?

ITS NOT A PLAY PARK YOU BASKET CASE.

Morphene · 23/08/2017 14:00

Do you think that when the message finally sinks in that he has been using someone else's garden randomly and it isn't and has never been a play park he will be round with a bottle of wine and chocolates to apologise?

My neither...but it might happen....

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 23/08/2017 14:01

Unbelievable behaviour!

To not preemptively report neighbours to the police?
Swiftone · 23/08/2017 14:01

I've just come to the end of this thread and I can't believe what happened to you. The absolute cheek!! So glad you are more than able to bat this back nicely 💪💪💪

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 23/08/2017 14:03

Logic isn't your neighbour's strong point, is it?

Coffeetasteslikeshit · 23/08/2017 14:07

Usually these types of people will talk themselves into trouble no need for me to help them.

Grin