Kids constantly knocking on door!!

[babyoda]

I’m a little embarrassed to write this but for the last couple of months (since the evenings have been lighter) the kids that live on my estate keep on knocking on my door. It started as every now and then, then once a week, then a couple of times a week, then every day and some days it’s even 2/3 times. I never answer the door because they just knock and run and I think if you react, it makes them want to do it more?

They aren’t doing it to anyone else and I’m wondering if they’re doing it to me either because I’m a young woman who lives alone (my husband died in December 2021) or maybe because I’m young they’ll think I find it funny? I don’t really know what to do about it, I’m just dreading the 6 weeks holiday when they are at home all day.

I don’t know if it’s worth speaking to the parents as one of them literally watches her child knock on my door from her window. I have a ring doorbell (and cameras) so I have it all on video.

I hate confrontation and making a big deal out of something. I also worry that the mum might take it the wrong way and then spark off something even bigger. I just want to be left alone. I feel like it wouldn’t be happening if my husband was still here.

I keep spending time at my parents house because they are driving me mad and then I think maybe I’ll just rent the house out? But I love my house, it has so many memories for me and my husband.

I think they are of primary school age, can’t be totally sure on their exact age but they def aren’t teenagers.

Any advice please?

I had thought of that too lol

I think I’d be waiting and open the door before they knocked with a cheery ‘oh hello! You again! I’ve seen you on my video doorbell. What can I do for you?’

Hopefully it will embarrass them or if they then do it again you can then say ‘I don’t understand why you’re here, if you have no reason to knock then please don’t’. If they do it again, report it to the police.

Large sign on the door.

You are being recorded.
If you keep knocking I will contact your parents.
If you continue after that, I will contact police.

I have recordings of you.

If they are primary age then maybe a good shouting at would work

I don't have door knockers, I have ball thumpers around here - constantly breaking windows and damaging cars.

It just boggles my mind that people can just have kids, not bother to raise them, let everyone else suffer the consequences and apparently that's completely fine and dandy.

I'm not suggesting we imprison 8 year olds or anything but if there are no societal consequences or expectations of people who are bringing kids up, then it's no wonder we have the issues we have today.

If you're young maybe they fancy you? Daring each other to knock etc. Could you just get a ring doorbell?

Op has a ring door bell and camera's.

Will someone please read the post. She has a Ring doorbell & cameras.

They shouldn’t be doing it, I would firstly speak to their parents, as that’s what the community police would advise you to do and if it continues, then I’d ask the advise of the police. Similar happened to my Dad who is in his 60’s but not as frequent, he spoke to the parents (who were unaware) and it didn’t happen again. I understand one of the parents is aware but at least if you’ve informed them all, they have the opportunity to correct things before taking it further.

Well said

Sit behind the door, swing it open the second they get to it and give them the bollocking of their life.
if this doesn’t work, I would know on their parents houses every. Single. Time. Make life as annoying for their parents as it is for you. They’ll soon sort it!!

Put up a fake CCTV camera and a sign “smile! you’re being recorded”

I know it’s summer and the days are long, but you could get one of those sensor lights that light up when someone comes near your door?

I'd try speaking to the kids - just sitting on the doorstep at the times they like to ring the bell.

I recently got enveloped by a local group of Year 5 macho men asking what happened to "all my hair". I explained matter of factly about cancer and chemo and got a bunch of grave little faces and "that sucks" "hope you get better soon".

Most kids aren't utter psychos, most don't want to really upset people. If they've been taught by their mum it's ok, then that's all they know right now.

In addition to the ones she has do you mean?

Some of these replies are a bit extra 😂 they’re kids playing a game.
Did no one every play knock down ginger/ knock a door run/ whatever you used to call it?
I mean I do remember getting a bollocking from my mum when she caught us playing it and then subsequent lifetime ban (rightly so) but yes it is a game kids have been known to play.
If I remember rightly, the rules were that you take it in turns to pick a door, knock it then run for your life.
So OP maybe they are picking your door because they know you won’t answer, so it’s an easy door to get away from IYSWIM?
I would open the door and shout GOTCHA! Then shout after them alright you’ve had your fun don’t knock again please.
If that doesn’t work then obviously speak to a parent. But police? That’s overkill.

Great idea!

I had this and was so riled up I opened the door and shouted at them before they could do it again. It had the twin effect of shocking them because they hadn’t even rung yet, and also I clearly sounded so demented they never came back 😆 I told them I knew where they lived and I’d be round their telling their mum if they did it again. In your case, as you think a mum knows, then substitute teacher or police.

They pick on people they see as weak or people that like to keep themselves to themselves, or people they’ve never seen out.

Also, I’m very sorry for your loss. This must feel very lonely and vulnerable for you.

But doubt it’s personal, they’re just kids being little sh*ts.

My sister had the same problem; a group of young single girls were being harassed by some young boys who would knock and shout obscenities. It took the middle-aged Pakistani aunty next door to curse them sideways and they never did it again. Also, helped that said neighbour had grown sons living at home.

I also agree with another PP who suggested bringing over a male friend to come in and out of your house a few times… preferably lugging a baseball bat! 😂

I did play it and yes I got told to fuck off and no I’m not traumatised and yes they were right to tell me to fuck off

And yeah if you know any blokes with tattooed knuckles get them to answer the door topless with an angry look on their face

Do you have the siren function on any of your ring cameras? Set them off each time. See if that works.

Contact 101 for advice and tell them you feel harassed and that you have video proof.

Also that their parents are watching them do this.

Get the gate if you can too.

Only the dregs of society allow their children behave like this.

Treat them like the dregs and hand it over to the police.

I know children do this occasionally for a bit of harmless fun, but this is definitely not that.

Deal with it.

Get yourself a ring door bell .Record them then threaten the parents to post footage on social media if they don’t sort it out .

I can't tell if you are joking or not.

🙄 some people can't read.