Young kids breaking into my garden?!

[SpangledBoots]

Having a nice relaxed Sunday on the sofa - only to be interrupted by a group of 5 kids aged between 5-8 playing in my private garden, looking right into my living room window. After 15 minutes or so I told them to get out and go play in the park across the road but they refused. I asked where their parents were and suggested they go home.

They were incredibly rude kids - swearing and gesturing in at me, sitting on the fence and saying they weren't in the garden.

This went on for about half an hour untll they eventually left.

I live in a city, surrounded by mostly 1 bed flats. There's a small park across the road that parents bring their kids to, or older kids come to alone to play football. Otherwise, there aren't many kids around. Wouldn't you notice if your children were missing for half an hour?? It's not a particularly "safe" area with lots of busy roads and traffic.

AIBU to get so cross or are their parents?

Time to plant lots of prickly things.

No one would find kids playing in your living room or your garden remotely acceptable.

If they come back I suggest you decide its time to water your plants OP. Not your fault your a bit clumsy with your hose pipe.

Grease on the wall. On the sides if you’re scared of someone hurting themselves. It’s like magic child repellant.

I think best to nip this in the bud and not wait 15 mins otherwise they settle. Also if you can afford it get decorative spikes on the wall, otherwise trellis works on burglars so should work on children as well!

You waited 15mins before confronting them?

I only have railings and it's quite easy to get in if you're little! I just don't understand why they weren't in the park.

I know, waiting was a bad move!

There's an anti-burglar paint that you can paint the fence with, and plastic spikes that can be attached to the top so people can't sit on it or climb over.

Try being firm but calm with them if they come again, don't suggest the park just a "guys you can't play here it's private property", but hopefully they won't be back. They don't sound like very pleasant children but way too young to be wandering around and it's good of you to be concerned. But if it has upset you (which it would me) I'd look into replacing the railings with something more off putting. Also maybe talk to your neighbors and see if they have any issues, hopefully they might look out for you as well and back you up, are you on your own OP? It's not nice being abused in your own home whatever the age of the perpetrators.

1. don't wait
2. be nastierget
3. Don't give in, if they won't go, get a hose or a bucket.

If you have railings them tying mesh fencing (rylock or even chicken wire type stuff) will stop them from getting through the gaps and help with the pyracantha you've been meaning to plant too.

This is weird. Of course YNBU

I would have asked them to leave straight away and told them I'd call the police if they don't/come back.

I had this. They had taken off their shoes and socks to play on my DD's trampoline. I confiscated these and told them their parents had to come round to collect them

Yep, I'm on my own and I did threaten the police. I hope their parents keep a much closer eye on them in future!

I wouldn't get nasty with them, I doubt they will respond well to it and it might aggravate the situation. Firm but calm, easier said than done I know.

Oh and OP it's a crap thing to happen to you!

I honestly wouldn't have reacted........I've come across these types of kids a million times over (( currently terrorising a family of Syrian refugees on a housing estate. )) And once you react. It spirals.

Just take steps to prevent them wanting to gain access I. E trellis and anti climb paint etc I've honestly been astounded over the years of the sort of behaviour young kids are capable of. Obviously it isn't there fault, they've usually been dragged up by parents who think the law doesnt apply to them

And even worse, they know their rights, as I was informed by a kid who took a brick to a motorbike on the street recently 'police can't fucking touch me. I'm not old enough'.

I've called the police to let them know that young, unsupervised children have been coming in and out of my garden for over an hour. They were back again carrying rocks!

Uh oh, sounds like you are going to have a lot of trouble........do you know where these feral brats live?

Motion activated sprinkler?

Get the hose out.

Oh, dear, is it not time for the fake intruder alarm to go off... loudly...?

Little sods. I hope they don't actually throw any of the rocks

Sprinkler.