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?

[ChilliMary]

Your neighbours are crazy! Trespassing on your property?! You have nothing to worry about.

[GeorgeTheHamster]

Don't do anything. They won't report you as they are the ones in the wrong. Cheeky fuckers.

[Jaxhog]

I'd send a brief note telling them not to trespass in your garden again or you will have to consider taking further action. Don't go into any details. Keep a copy.

If it had been a one off, I'd ignore it. But since they've done it an unknown number of times before, you do need to stop it now. Neighbourhood aggro is never pleasant, but this won't come back to bite you as you were not in the wrong.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

I would do nothing except sit back and let them rant, they were in the wrong. The cheek of some people. If you wanted to open an activity centre you'd get insurance, advertise and sell tickets.

[ChestyNut]

The cheek! Ignore ignore ignore!

[HolyShmoly]

Nicknacky I don't know the exact law that Yorkshire is referring to but I assume it's similar/the same tort law thingies that DH had to study for building surveying. Absolutely fecking ridiculous, from what I remember there was a particular case where someone was having a housewarming party, an uninvited child wandered off (unsupervised) into a different (not public) area and the owner was held responsible for injuries.
It's all insane. As is OPs twat neighbours. Who the fuck does that kind of thing?

[Hippee]

I can't believe I am the first person on this thread (unless I have missed it) to say that the only response you need is "Are you on glue?"

[Mrbluethecatt]

I just got home from work. Man Neighbour saw I was parking and come over. Asked if I got his note. I said I had and we had tried to speak with him. He said his kids have been upset all weekend and now have the flu. I said that his DW had no permission to be in the garden, no right to access it and told him that they had no right to access it in the future. He started on about DSS locking them in. I stopped him and told him they had no right to be there and DSS shouldn't have to check to see if people who weren't supposed to be in the garden where actually there. He said I was selfish to not allow his kids access to the garden as they have been using it all summer. I said without permission. I want to go inside. He shouted over that I should be ashamed of myself.

Fuck that. I'm off it write up a note just to document everything. Twat.

[Sarikiz]

The police dont care about trespass its civil law. As for unlawful detention dont make me laugh
The cheeky sods were in your garden without permission.
I would not write or do anything. If it gets hot and heavy send them a solicitors letter

[Nicknacky]

There will be no less in the land that will apply to child being injured in a ordinary family back garden with no hazards apart from ones that you would find in every household, it sounds like an urban myth. Unless someone can convince me otherwise?!

[TroysMammy]

It's Cheeky Fucker August all right. I thought the council piling up refuse bags in my garden and not the pavement to make it easier for a lorry to pick up and then the postman walking over my grass and over my wall because the lazy fucker couldn't be arsed to go back the way he came was taking the piss but OP you've top trumped my cheeky fuckery.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

OMG! I am even angrier with CFN now .

How dare he still be thinking this is your problem or that you or DSS are anyway in the wrong?

What does he actually want? A key to the lock? Unlimited access to YOUR garden? Compensation for the inconvenience? Would he like you to stick a broom up your arse and sweep his drive whilst delivering the key & Calpol for his sick DCs? Anything else he wants access to? Your car perhaps?

10/10 for keeping calm and dignified. As you can probably tell - I'm sure I wouldn't have! .

For heaven's sake! This is quite incredible!

[TroelsLovesSquinkies]

It's CFN season here on Mumsnet. What a complete twat he is.

[DamsonGin]

He said you were being selfish? I think the response 'are you on glue?' Would have been totally apt at that point.

[Mrsdraper1]

The way I see it, it was karma.
It's actually hilarious that your DSS was wearing headphones and didn't hear. Serves the cheeky entitled gits right.
I love it when the universe rights the balance!!

[Mrscropley]

Flu is a virus. . Not caught by trespassing in the rain. .
Can't believe he had the nerve admit they frequent your garden!!
Bill him for childcare as I suggested. .

[muchomo]

Sorry but I laughed when I read this . Serve them right, they were in your garden without your permisssion and you gave every right to open and lock your fate as you wish

[RebootYourEngine]

How entitled. He is off his rocker if he thinks that this is ok.

[Usernamegone]

Good grief it's CFN galore this month! If you are being selfish not letting his children play in his garden, then surely he should be letting you in his house so you can help yourself to whatever you want from his fridge and watch his tv otherwise he would be selfish?

Also, skin is waterproof. Children won't die if they get a little wet.

[LakieLady]

This is surely the apogee of Cheekyfuckerism! To enter someone's property, without their knowledge and then threaten to get the police involved because they were accidentally locked in really tops the lot.

I am (almost) speechless.

[Mrbluethecatt]

DSS suggests sending the following:

AHH didums! And in other news get off my land!

Seriously i will wait until DH gets home to send anything. I will be suggesting:

I am sorry to hear your DCs were upset as a result of your dw's decision to access our garden without permission. At no time has DH or I discussed or agreed to you and your DCs to access our garden for any reason.

Thank you for confirming in writing that you have been accessing our private property without permission in a regular basis for some time.

To be clear you, DW and DCs are not permitted/authorized to access our private property at any time for any reason.

Now do fuck off dear

Hugs kisses and shit love from MrBlue and the troops.

[8misskitty8]

You have been very restrained op. I would have told him to piss off if he started on me.
Since his garden is empty, you should be using it to sunbathe as after all its 'selfish' to not allow you to do whatever you want in other people's gardens.
Keep an eye on your equipment and the padlock though in case he tries to get in and cause damage.

[Ontheboardwalk]

Have you got CCTV or a dash cam you can stick up and record with over the next few days?

I wouldn't put it past him to break the lock and let his kids in when you aren't there.

The sense of entitlement of CFNs on here never ceases to amaze me!

[SnickersWasAHorse]

How did he think that they caught flu from your garden?

I would write a formal letter saying that they were in your garden without permission. If they want to play then there is a park. They have not had any permission to go into your garden and nor will any be given. Say that a copy of the letter has been sent to your solicitor.
Check your home insurance for legal cover.

Do they not have their own back garden?