Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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
Doesitgoto11 · 22/08/2017 20:22

Omg. I FUCKING LOVE the fact you work in planning 🤣🤣🤣 that's made my night.

StealthPolarBear · 22/08/2017 20:22

This is amazing! So he actually thinks this is a public park?
Who does he think bought the equipment?

Redsippycup · 22/08/2017 20:22

I asked who he spoke with. The Planners apparently. Well he didn't because I work for the planning department of our local council.

Oh, just fabulous Grin

This thread has just graduated into 'read out to DP and he didn't even roll his eyes when I said 'mumsnet'' territory!

Doesitgoto11 · 22/08/2017 20:23

Oh and just to derail - I have totally missed Mexican house thief link anyone??? 😘

Ontheboardwalk · 22/08/2017 20:24

WTF Mrblue you must have a fantastic private 'play park' for the CFN to be that determined to get into it. Maybe charge his kids an entrance fee backdated to the start of the summer?

How did he know about it in the first place? Have his kids been invited in the past by your DC?

RudeDog · 22/08/2017 20:25

They tried to get in AGAIN - are they totally fucking deluded

Might need a letter from the solicitor to get them to stop all this bollocks (or community police?)

Or maybe get a copy of the land registry - draw around your house and land and write MINE in big letters on it.

LivingInMidnight · 22/08/2017 20:27

does here post by weareeternal

Spadequeen · 22/08/2017 20:28

This just gets better and better!

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 22/08/2017 20:33

You work in planning! That has made my bloody night.

Just when you think someone can't get any more deluded and crazy....there ya go

Op - all jokes aside, it might be time for a call to your solicitor to draft a 'fuck off' letter. Hopefully that'll scare the shit out of them. Maybe they can advise on next steps and whether to involve the police etc.

But I don't have my hopes up as he seems determinedly stupid

DamsonGin · 22/08/2017 20:37

That's hilarious! So glad you work in planning!

I think you need this sign...
www.safetysign.com/products/4092/what-part-of-no-trespassing-dont-you-understand-sign?s=st1zskwc7zlp7bzbl8

metalmum15 · 22/08/2017 20:42

How did they know you have all that stuff in your garden in the first place? Have they been having a nosey at the satellite view on Google maps?

DartmoorDoughnut · 22/08/2017 20:50

Oh my fucking god!!!

Bungleboggs · 22/08/2017 20:50

Arghhhh!!!

MrsHandles · 22/08/2017 20:51

Good god, some people have no shame! Absolutely howling that he pulled the planning department cards on you, your response to that is perfect, I only wish I'd have been there to see his face.

Well done OP, don't back down on this (not that I think you will!)

Doesitgoto11 · 22/08/2017 20:53

@LivingInMidnight thank you! *pours more wine and settles for a read Grin

Doesitgoto11 · 22/08/2017 20:58

Oh and @Mrbluethecatt - you could always go down the 'I'm pretending to be amenable but actually I think you're a twunt' route by drawing up an indemnity, requesting evidence of a minimum of £10m public liability cover with a nil excess in order to cover off any damage caused to your play equipment plus a £10 per individual (including under 16's) access fee per day Grin

Hey if they really want it then you might as well make some £'s at no liability lol 😂

Alittlepotofrosie · 22/08/2017 21:03

What a clown your neighbour is!

Mrbluethecatt · 22/08/2017 21:04

Neighbours house is in the same row as ours they aren't our direct attached neighbour but is next to that house. Next doors DCs play in our garden as to a number of other kids (their kids are at least 7-10 years younger) so they probably heard the kids talking about playing in our garden.

Our deeds are clearing our garden with no public access rights or rights of way. DH is going to get his mate (who happens to be our solicitor) it write a fuck off letter to neighbour. DH has delivered an interim note repeating it's our garden etc. DH spoke to the wife.

She still thinks that they had a right to play in the garden as the other kids do. Her kids shouldn't be excluded. DH has told her that they are deluded and need to get a grip. DH gave her the note and told her to tell her DH enough.

The gate will remain locked.

OP posts:
RiversrunWoodville · 22/08/2017 21:04

Oh good god I go away for a holiday and we have a new CFN. Also Mrblue I will be putting in an official complaint that on my holiday in Scotland we weren't invited to your play park Grin

BellaNoche · 22/08/2017 21:06

Holy mackerel! Stunned more than Monty Pythons dead parrot!

Hilarious! But hey.. total respect to you OP for keeping calm.. love your sons, and that you work for the planning department also.

Police won't be interested at all... as you will know but will no doubt find it hysterically funny.. unless someone reports neighbours for attempted break in Grin Or criminal damage to garden property?

They are totally and utterly the Barmpot family from hell.

My guess is: the local cops must know them already.. the Barmpots will be the ones who ring 999 at 3 am demanding an immediate response and "Justice"..... because their Sisters-Aunties-Father-in-Law went and disrespected Uncle Todger on Facebook etc etc

Sadly, I fear that there will be more to come but I see that your family are well up for it.
All the best, thanks for the laugh (and some unique legal insights from some folks here)....but not so funny living next door I realise!

Giraffey1 · 22/08/2017 21:07

This thread is just delicious!

StealthPolarBear · 22/08/2017 21:09

Brilliant idea does it go. Don't forget to offer an annual membership option. And enforce the "only food and drink purchased here to be eaten on the premises" rule.

Christinayangstwistedsista · 22/08/2017 21:12

Similar happened to us, not the locking in part! We had built huge swing/slide/tree house thing in our garden for D's. We came home one one day and all of neighbours nieces and nephews were playing in it, they had even opened one of the garage doors and took out his bike, scooters etc and were merrily riding up and down on them

WishingOnABar · 22/08/2017 21:13

Surely if they are in the same row as you they have a similar sized garden and therefore must know it is yours?! Some people truly are completely barmy

StealthPolarBear · 22/08/2017 21:14

Christina what did you do?