Ball kicked over, child trying to climb over fence

[getyourfreakon]

Today a ball I'm very used to throwing back came over the back fence. I was in our little outhouse thing and heard kids shouting, sounded like they were in our garden. When I looked out, a lad aged about 9-10 was on top of the fence with one leg hanging over ready to jump down into our garden to retrieve a ball. As I stood there looking at him he shouted "Ball!" at me. I shouted back that I don't mind throwing it back but do not come over the fence! Threw it back no problem. Ball came over again a little later and as I went to throw it back I heard "I'll just go and get it and then we can carry on". Ball came over several more times and the kids were shouting that he's doing it on purpose.
If he came over it's a big drop, plus he'd have to use my garden swing thing to get back over.
I don't recognise him, the family clearly had other kids over. AIBU to be pissed off? The back part of my garden is fenced off for rabbits to roam out of the hutch. He could easily have hurt himself jumping over.
I can deal with the shouting and screaming while the kids are playing, I have one myself, don't mind popping the ball back over. Would you be okay with a random child jumping into your garden?

No I wouldn’t be ok with a child just coming over to fetch a ball. I would expect him to ask nicely over the fence or knock on the door. I would tell him that as well.

No. Put your best teacher voice on and tell him very firmly not to climb the fence.

If you have to, confiscate it. Wait for parents to retrieve it then explain your concerns.

I'm pretty sure you know the answer to this one OP

@WorraLiberty

I'm pretty sure you know the answer to this one OP

I know the answer, yes. But challenging the child once they were in my garden would have whoever's 'watching' the kids at my door kicking off within minutes. Sometimes I feel a bit frazzled between a normal response and what I'd receive around here. This won't be just a one off. Sometimes it's just nice to see you're not reacting unreasonably.

I don't mind the kids who live there or the parents btw, they've knocked and asked for the ball back several times very nicely. The ball went way over to my NDN's garden a couple of weeks ago, it's orange so stands out. I noticed it from an upstairs window and after it'd been there about a week, I made a little paper aeroplane with a note written on and threw that over letting them know it was in NDNs.
They clearly got it back after that as it's been in my garden most days this week

I'd have marched him around to the NDNs front door to be honest and explained just why it's no acceptable . I find it magical how kids can aim lower if they think hard about it. And I am also perfectly happy to throw it back within reason

My in laws have had this over and over from their ndn (though the kids are 16-17) and have told the boys off multiple times for it. Not only could they injure themselves but they could also damage the fence or something else in the garden or worse.

My in laws also have a pool so they were very worried about the kids slipping and falling. They were also getting multiple balls a day nearly wacking them or their guests in the head. They asked multiple times but kept doing it..

Finslly my fil put a note though the door saying if he catches them again they'll be charged with trespassing. Thankfully we haven't seen them since