I have a wind chime, one of those wooden ones which is quite loud. I'd also like a tinkly one, but would def stop at two. I was really nervous about getting one, mainly because I've seen the hatred for the things on here and didn't want to bother my neighbours. But I do really love them so much. Fond memories when I was child playing in the garden, my mother had a tinkly one, quite quiet, in the garden. It was in an area shaded by the wind so only ever tinkled gently now and again.
Then I realised I live next to a person who blasts their radio in the garden so loud you can hear it down the street on a regular basis at the first hint of sunshine. You cannot sit out on any sunny day, unless you want to listen to the endless shit rambling of a fucking radio and shit scooter music so loud you could not have a conversation. I also realised they like to rev their motorbike at 10pm and burn fires during the daytime. Basically when they come out, we have to end our time in the garden there as we know what's coming and it's unbearable. My other neighbour has a horrible, and I mean horrible yappy dog that just barks all the time, and screams when the owner goes out. All this has been going on for years - so I thought fuck it, I'll get a fucking windchime which is harmless in comparison! That being said, I take it down of a night time, and in fact only really put it up if I'm in the garden pottering around, though I will put it up permantly in the day and just remove it of an evening.
If any of these neighbours asked me to take it down during the day I'd laugh and of course the answer would be no. Not unless the dog one fancies actually working on her dogs screaming seperation anxiety. Or unless the other person wants to stop blasting the fucking radio.
If I lived next to quiet neighbours and they politely asked me to take some down? Of course I would. I would also move the remaining ones to a quieter area too so there was less jingle.
I guess the point is, just make sure you're not some form of noise polluter yourself, first, and if you're not, it's not unreasonable to ask them if it's actually really bothering you and you're sensitive to it.
If anyone came into my garden to cut mine down, then they'd be caught on camera and yes, I'd report it. It's the principle of entering someone elses property, and vandalising something they own. They'd also maybe have to face my dog, who wouldn't be delighted to see them.