Neighbour and oarking

[STOTTYBUN]

I walk my children to school but the other day a car was totally blocking the pavement. I saw the owner of the car who lives opposite and asked him if he would mind parking to leave room for children. He said no and I said well the children might scratch your car if they have to squeeze through. He became angry so I said I’ll just ring the police. They did go to his house and he had to move his car. Then a few days later he made a formal complaint to the police saying I had said the children would scratch his car, a load of lies. However the police came to visit me, offered to take me to the police station to make a voluntary statement or to say I would cross the children over the road and back again to avoid his car. I was on my own and t want to go with them so agreed. However, in retrospect I don’t want to cross the children over a busy road and back again when there is a perfectly adequate pavement. I feel because I have agreed it is an admission of guilt and I did nothing. He is getting his own back because I rang the police. What would you all do, cross the road or make a statement?

Is it a pavement where you are meant to park? There's some near me like that. If not he's being a dick, photograph it every time he does it.

It's difficult because you're not wrong but I would choose whatever meant the least hassle.

I would certainly not make a statement saying I’ll cross over the road and back. Why should you have to do that! I’d merely clarify that I made no threat, just warned him about the possibility of an accident occurring when children are squeezing past his car. If the pavement is constantly blocked I’d complain to the council and request double yellow lines!

Give it a few months, then maybe the car will have an unfortunate encounter with some nail varnish.

Just saying.

He sounds like a dick head. Theres a man on my street that does this, takes up most of the pavement. I just ram my pushchair through, I dont really care if his car gets scratched, he has no consideration for anybody else so why should we. Pedestrians have more right to be on the pavement than his car does.
There is a child with a wheelchair that comes this way to and from school and he cant get past. It's down right rude.

You haven't done anything wrong. Your neighbour has no evidence. You don't need to make a statement voluntary or otherwise. If the police had evidence of the threat, you would have been arrested. Walk on the pavement. Don't cross a busy road. Complain every time he parks on the pavement. He's committing the offence - not you.

To me it sounds like you were threatening to scratch his car based on what you said. However you can contact the police and withdraw your agreement but of course if his car happens to get scratched by someone else they will think it was you.

I wouldn't cross, if you have to squeeze through and his car gets scratched that's the risk you take if you park on the pavement. I wouldn't think twice about it.

I say this as someone who chooses to park with one wheel on the pavement outside my house rather then park on another street which is wider - my road is so narrow you'd block it to emergency vehicles/vans etc if parking fully on the road. My car is covered in scratches!

Sounds like the police are treating it as a threat to cause criminal damage. The 'voluntary statement' will actually be a voluntary interview which you should decline politely. If he hadn't parked on the pavement there wouldn't be a problem. He has caused this. Don't entertain him anymore.

The option to agree to cross has been done so this can be classed as mediated and resolved. You don't actually Have to cross the road. Nothing would happen.

And it's the summer holidays now so this is a non issue for 5 weeks

Certainly wasn't threatening to scratch , I said if you don't leave room on the pavement and the children have to squeeze through they might scratch your car. He shouted at me and said you have said you are going to damage my car. I said I didn't say that and repeated what I said. He was very angry. My neighbour said when he walks down with his child he often squeezes past that car so anyone could damage it. Some mum with a child on a scooter goes down past the car. I have no doubt it has been damaged in the past but it certainly wasn't us as I have told the children to be careful. I just wanted to point out what might happen if he continued to park as he did.

Catsick36 ; I asked what would happen if I refused a voluntary interview as I hadn't done anything wrong and the PC said he would arrest me.

Catsick36 Interested to know as I have agreed to cross the children over and back again, you say I can ignore that. Just wondered how you know that I can ignore it, don't I have to comply with that? It doesn't really matter now as the children are 9 and 10 and after the school holiday want to walk to school themselves it's really the principle that he lied about me and I was pressured into accepting crossing the road and back again to avoid his car while he agreed to park leaving room for pedestrians. when I was threatened with arrest I felt I had no option but to accept it. I feel I cant use the pavement now as if he finds a scratch on his car he is going to accuse me.

Surely he legally has to park so that there is space for a wheelchair to get through? That is the law where I am, is it not the case where you are OP? If he parks like that again, take photos and contact the police. Do it every time to show them he is repeat offender.

Arrest you?! For what? Theres no criminal damage nor any threat in place to do so. That is absolute tosh and I would make a complaint quite frankly. Seems like you were being blackmailed to give a statement quite frankly. I am not anti police at all, but this makes my piss boil. He(twat man) should not be obstructing the pathway with his vehicle.

Take a photo every time he does it and contact your local council.
See link for further info: www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q387.htm

Police have to have reasonable grounds to arrest anyone. Just because your neighbour told them you threatened to scratch his car, it still has to be reasonable. You need evidence. It's his word against yours. No witnesses. No evidence that an offence occurred. If this wasn't the case, every accusation would end in arrest.

Just phone the police every time he parks on the pavement in future. He won't be able to use this "threat" to get back at you again because so far as they are concerned that is all done and dusted.

It's illegal to park on the pavement in London but only advisory outside of London. However, it is illegal to drive on the pavement, and you can't park without driving. Oh, and he's being a dick (although I don't think that is against the law)

I asked what would happen if I refused a voluntary interview as I hadn't done anything wrong and the PC said he would arrest me.

Astonishing! But I would call the police every single time he parks on the pavement and you can't get by. I would also call the local press; they love this sort of article.

Low hanging fruit OP. He's a man and you are a woman, he wanted to punish you, the police were pleased to oblige. They can log that as "resolved".

I'd make a complaint about the way they have handled it. I think he's going to be an arse from now on OP so you literally have nothing to lose.

Agree with @StaplesCorner - I'd fight back on it as the threat to arrest you was out of order as is making you agree to cross the road with 2 children. What happens if you get knocked down - are they accepting liability? I'm enraged on your behalf as I've no doubt if you'd need a man then this wouldn't have happened.

*if you'd BEEN a man, not need one

It’s about time it was made illegal to park on the pavement & a hefty fine to be issued.

I don’t think people realise the upset and grief caused by there selfish behaviour, for various different reasons. Cars have no place on pavements