to not bother giving the balls back?

[Djbow]

I don't get on with my neighbours. She's an unpleasant nasty person who previously told her kids in front of me (and half the street, as she has a voice like a foghorn) that I'm 'mental' and 'have a screw loose'. He's an ineffectual twat who can't or won't discipline his kids so they run rings round him. As a result, their numerous children are rude, arrogant and behave in an utterly entitled manner.

I avoid them as much as possible.

Yesterday I was out enjoying the sunshine doing some gardening. Next doors kids can see me from their window, and at first I can hear them saying what's fatty doing with those plants.. She's a fat cow, Big fat cow. Then they're chanting fat cow, fat bitch, etc. This went on for a good 10-15 mins or more.

It's not the first time I've heard them call me names. Last year I was off to a friends 40th, as I left the house they were outside gawping and I heard the kids say 'she looks disgusting, she's so fat'.

(I'm a size 16 fwiw, but tbh even if I was a size 32 they shouldn't be saying it).

Onto the balls...so in summer they typically kick at least 1 ball over daily. The fence is 7ft so there is no reason for this to keep happening other than that they are careless and expect to get the balls back. On Wednesday this week it was 5. I throw them back over when I see them (mainly because I can't bear them yelling over the fence 'give us our ball back' - no please or thank you of course!). Today they've kicked 3 over so far. AIBU to chuck them in the bin rather than give them back? I'm not going to reward the little sods for insulting me repeatedly.

And before anyone suggests speaking to the parents, another neighbour recently had a run in with them over the ball issue, dad gave it the whole the whole kids will be kids, they're only playing and it's kind to give the ball back (yes they are Be Kind twats, of course). And the kids were basically laughing at the neighbour, taking the piss, 'you got told' etc.

Kids are between 8 and 11 so old enough to know better.

Don't look to any authority to help or support. I've had neighbour dispute that's gone on for 3 years - it's horrendous.

Do you know a strapping guy you can send over there to return the balls and in a non threatening way say something like 'OP is unhappy about the name calling...' the only reason I ask is because I had this option three years ago with my gutless neighbour - friends who wanted to go round there and tell him to fix up, but I said no, I wanted to play the long game, the council will definitely deal with it (what a joke!) and here I am, 3 years on; banging music 6/7 hours a day, no regard for his neighbours - just a nightmare to live next to.

If you have the option to send someone over there who might make them think twice, I would go with it.

My ball-crazy child fortunately has a ball-crazy classmate on our most exposed side, and it's basically a mutual ball exchange. At the back chuck them over when they see them which might be a few days. At the side are now elderly and take longer, but bushes on both sides mean that fewest balls go that way.
But my children are polite, don't expect balls immediately and don't trespass to reclaim them. Generally its churlish not to return balls but with the obnoxious and abusive behaviour, OP's neighbours don't deserve much neighbourly courtesy.

Deflating is a better idea than puncturing.
What's their frontage like? Is there somewhere awkward they can be returned to?
I wouldn't go too antagonistic because the way these children are behaving and being condoned/ encouraged, they could become far more unpleasant long term.

I would get someone to kick them back, someone who kicks very badly so they may land anywhere but their garden. If they complain you can hinestly say they were kicked back over.