To not preemptively report neighbours to the police?

[Mrbluethecatt]

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.

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?

[Widdsters]

Hahahahaha WHAT? She lets her children play in your garden!?

Then it's her fault they got locked in. She let them play somewhere where she has no power over the locks/access/timing/residents etc. People are leading their own lives in their own property.
And it blew up in her face. I reckon she's just angry at herself, because she knows essentially she put her children in that position.

I'd let it go if I were you. But definittttttley advise that they don't let their children play in your garden again. (Hahahaha I can't believe I even had to just say that.)

[LuLuuuuuuu]

They have been using your garden like a park for their DCs ?

I would be fucking FURIOUS OP . WTAF do they think they are doing ?!?!

[SnickersWasAHorse]

I cannot believe the nerve of some people!

As suggested above it might be a plan to write a formal letter saying that you locked your gate and the children were there without your permission.
I can see how this might happen. I can't see my garden gate or half of my garden from my house.

[Mrbluethecatt]

Shitty diagram attached.

DSS cycled up to the gate locked and cycled away. He may also have been in his phone as always

[agedknees]

Send her an invoice for playing in mrbluecatts leisure land activity park.

Seriously? She's probably embarrassed she was found out and is keeping a low profile. Where do these people get their nerve from.

[PretentiousMNUserName]

nah you've got nothing to worry about. Don't report it unless they push it further - DO keep the gate locked though!

[Bluntness100]

Good diagram and I had a house like that and suspected your diagram would look like that. Our gate was in the same position and a rather narrow side passage way leading to back garden. Very easy to not know someone was in the back garden especially if wearing headphones.

I still can't get past the cheek of waiting till you're out then taking rhe kids in there to play without permission.

[Giraffey1]

I would not be involving the police, not would I be writing any notes. The were in the wrong and they know it. If they bring it up with you, just say ... I don't understand what the problem is here. Your children were trespassing on our property, they had no right to be there. We secured our property as we have every right to do.

[GoGoGazelle]

Serves the cheeky fuckers right. And I bet that's what the police would say too.

[GlitteryFluff]

Cheeky fuckers!

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

One of my sisters has a garden pretty much as you describe, so I can completely understand why you might not notice people up at the play area end when standing at the side gate.

You have done absolutely nothing wrong, nor has DSS or DH. The CFNs have absolutely nothing to go to the Police about. They were trespassing on private property & unexpectedly became locked in. End of story - unless you yourselves wish to contact the Police regarding the trespass issue (although I'd imagine they'll just have a chat & tell them not to do it again).

[ZeroFuchsGiven]

This is the definition of CFN!

[RaptorInaPorkPieHat]

Brilliant cheeky fuckery

Just think, if they got hurt on your play equipment they'd probably try and sue

Idiots! They won't go to the police because they know they were in the wrong to begin with.

[MagnumAddict]

What a brass neck your neighbours have! They won't be trespassing again

I'd love to be a fly on the wall if they reported you.

Brilliant shitty diagram by the way.

[Notonthestairs]

I've got an identical layout and I could easily lock my gate without seeing anyone in my garden. If my family were out it would never occur to me to double check that there were no random neighbours "using the facilities".

CFN are utterly in the wrong and by now, having calmed down, should be very, very embarrassed. I almost feel sorry for them.

I can't imagine that the the police will touch this with a barge pole.

[Ishouldbedoingsomething]

Put a no trespassing sign on your gate - if they hurt themselves on your trampoline etc they will hold you responsible

[kali110]

Cheeky git!

[kali110]

Id send a letter back stating if i found out she'd set foot in my garden again id be contacting the police on her for being in my garden..

[StealthPolarBear]

I would be interested to hear from anyone who knows the legal aspects. I thought the law had changed and people were responsible for anything happening to a trespasser on their land. I could be wrong.

[Gorgosparta]

Write them a letter back telling them what happened and pointing out they were trespassing.

I would also say you are happy to discuss with the police.

[catslife]

Schools went back last week - are you in Scotland OP?
In UK Law (including Scotland) entering someone's property (or land i.e.garden) without the owners permission is trespass and this is a criminal offence.

[Ishouldbedoingsomething]

I think you should send a short letter telling them not to use your garden or any toys in it in the future. Keep a copy in case you need it later..

[Nicknacky]

catslife Tresspass or similar is not a criminal offence in scotland. There is one circumstance where being in the curtailage of a property becomes criminal but this isn't it.

[Cheby]

I think I'd probably call 101 or see if you can speak to a local PCSO and ask them to pop roubdcto your neighbours and remind them that trespassing us illegal! Cheeky fuckers.