Neighbours having chat over my garden making me feel uncomfortable

[Fitlarwa]

Hi,
I live in a terraced house.
On my left I've got neighbours who in past harassed my family and since reported to the police they ignore us which is good!
On my right I've got their best friends who pretend that they are being polite to us.
Before you will jump to conclusions why neighbours dont like us I want to make it clear that they have got problem with our race and that as immigrants we have better jobs etc.

So while I'm at my garden I'm in between of two friends having chat over my head.
I've recently installed a 2m fence but that doesnt help as houses are raised and there are steps on which they stand. Then they have got their heads over my fence!
My son who's 12 and literally scared of neighbours on our left and avoids our garden because the talks that they have over his head ignoring his presence and invading his private space.

I feel it's all done on purpose to make us feel that we wont hide from them despite of 2 m fence.

Is there anything I can do?
Cant plant anything as there is no space.

Is there any law that gives me protection over their silly behaviour?
Right to privacy perhaps?

Will appreciate your support

www.ebay.co.uk/i/353049336212?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=&mkcid=2&itemid=353049336212&targetid=4584894773005086&device=t&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=373799464&mkgroupid=1300722489753525&rlsatarget=pla-4584894773005086&abcId=2145996&merchantid=87779&msclkid=8ecc2eab50011ae427f0705e72ab730b. You can purchase a range of screens and cut and tack them to the top of your fence to raise the level

This is intimidation and bullying, you realise that don't you.

Write down every single time they do this and how afraid you feel, keep records of everything and then go to the police.

If they say anything that could even be construed as rascist write it down.

Its disgusting people are subjected to this still in 2020.

Be careful with the tall screens, local planning can make you take them down if they are over 6 feet.

Could you put one of those sail cloths up ie they go at an angle and it would block one side? Even if it was temporary to get them out of the habit. It could be hung from higher up the wall above your door.

Sorry you have such awful neighbours. Could you move next to me as I have awful neighbours too?!

Sorry OP. That’s rubbish. Really awful. Rude at the best of times but racism is abhorrent.

Any clear racism please report it if you can bear to. Even if the police can’t do anything it’s good to log it for the figures.

The adult thing to do would be to assertively ask them to stop as it is invading your privacy but I don’t hold out much hope for this from what you’ve said.

I like the bamboo in pots idea. It grows really fast but it spreads loads so pots are best. Or screening.

You could join in the conversation. Comment on what they are saying. Add your own bits in ad if you don’t quite understand the context. It would be really socially awkward for you but if you can overcome that it will make them feel really awkward.

Can you invite friends round (2m apart) to sit and chat and help you to take your space back?

Probably not helpful ideas but hope it gets better.

Portable blue tooth speaker on the top step playing music from your home country.
My df used to play loud music from his country and then got the lawn mower out. It was a similar set up with friendly neighbours who used to try and intimidate him.

Looking at your photo, I would have a clothes horse full of clothes on the top step to block their view of each other. Keep doing it for several days and see if they stop.

I agree with the posters above that say use something to block them from seeing each other - a washing line, or a tall trellis-type structure with plants, even fake plants. Block the racists side. (I don't think the other side is your friend by the way.) It's horrible that it's right outside your door!! You can blast music from your doorway too but I think it's best to stop them from being able to see each other in the first place.

They are bullying you, I know it's hard to stand up to them when you're in the middle as they could turn nasty, but just try to block their view from each other as much as possible. I'm not the sort of person who can talk loudly or sing or do inane things, not everyone is that confident. But you need to do something or they've won.

I'd have a rose arch on your top step going around your door, using the same wood that your fence and steps are made from. They won't be able to see each other then.

Something like this, covered in real or artificial plants!

What about a Patio Awning, you can adapt it by adding material to both sides. Plus you would have the added bonus off shade privacy, and its retractable.

I’d want to go upstairs next time they come out and talk, I’d lean out of the upstairs window and slosh a big bucket of water over their head.

Maybe the planters Idea would be more subtle.

A shade sail attached to the back door with tall poles that you can put up and down?

So, are you going to put up hanging baskets then? To be honest the back of your house looks a bit bare anyway so would really brighten it up. Go to B&Q today, buy a couple of ready-planted ones and job done.

You seem determined to find excuses to reject every helpful practical suggestion anyone has made. Yet you asked about laws etc, looking for that sort of solution. There is no straightforward law that can magically be enforced, and if you are not prepared to take any practical steps then why on earth do you think that you would find it easier to pursue a /costly legal case?

Your lovely garden needs a nice, big tree in a pot between the fence and the steps. Could be an artificial one, could be a real one - fake large palms are also available.

You could put it on some sort of outside storage unit/bench to lift it up even higher.

Attach an over the fence planter and fill it with tall ornamental grass or similar. Very easy to install and sorts the problem.

Personally, I'd build up a few hours recording of their chats, and then wait for them to start again, and pay them back.

If you have a budding Techno-DJ friend, you could always knock up a C-19 summer remix.

If you were as old and ugly as I am, you'd also tell them that this is the hit in Ibiza at the moment.

@overnightangel

Who the fuck has voted YABU

The OP hasn't actually asked an AIBU question so they could be interpreting the AIBU as a very different question. Or they could be AIBU pedants who think OP is being unreasonable to put a non-AIBU in AIBU.

I would put an awning over the patio door.
It would break their line of site plus give you shade which will keep your lounge cooler in this hot weather.

www.primrose-awnings.co.uk/

All different styles and sizes so I am sure they would have something that would fit and do the job.

I'd put a wireless speaker on and the radio on loud every time and turn it off when the stop. You can get a lovely, wireless and waterproof speaker from Amazon for less than £40

On record them on your phone and report for breach or privacy. You ca plant a tall tree too!

Turn on the house alarm and open the back door everytime and then go out for a walk yourself. They wont be able to hear themselves.

You sound lovely OP and I am sorry you have such bastard neighbours. Hope some of the ideas work on here. If you really want to mess with them, get a massive England flag and hang it where it will block their view. Blow their stupid racist minds.

I think this is a marvellous idea

@Furloughedpissedoff

What about a Patio Awning, you can adapt it by adding material to both sides. Plus you would have the added bonus off shade privacy, and its retractable.

forgot the idea!!