Nextdoor Neighbour’s Child

[Rhodora]

DH and I moved in to our cottage flat 8 years ago next month. Very quickly we met the neighbours not only in the other three flats in our block but also in the semi on the other side of us. We generally rub along fine with our neighbours in the other flats say hello in passing, put each others bins out, take I each others parcels but don’t know much about each other. Now to the semi. A couple live there along with her now 16 year DS. The couple are around 5 years older than us and we have always got on well. My DH and her DP support the same football team so lots of match discussions and team tactics, DH estimated the cost of their property before and after they had an extension built (DH is a building surveyor). The Neighbours got an estate agent valuation too who gave an identical valuation to DH which the neighbours were very pleased with. Now to the problem the neighbours DS. Neighbours DS supports a different football team to his stepdad and DH. Last year he and a group of his friends were in their garden after their team lost to the team DH supports. They were flying flags opposing the views of DH and the team he supports, shouting views that if you said them just 20 miles west of where we live you would be risking a beating. They were shouting anti English views (I’m English born) and hurling bricks at living room window and front door. A few of them hit the windows and door (i’m on the first floor) but nothing broke. We had a word with his mum the following day as she had been away overnight. Last night they were in the garden shouting what they had been last time but this time not throwing things. Would I be unreasonable next time to call the police non emergency number and report them.

@Koalafan totally agree. Imagine the other way round. On its own I wouldn’t call the police but it’s still not acceptable.

@Spirallingdownwards I think it depends on the circumstances - what is said and done, and how. Targeting an individual or group because of their nationality (or race, sexuality, disability, religion etc) would be a hate crime.

OP I think if anything is thrown at your property again with anti-English chants you should definitely call the police. That must've been scary. Re just anti-English chants, that shouldn't happen, but as an English person who lives in Scotland I honestly don't know what I'd do. My uncertainty comes from knowing there's an undercurrent of anti-english sentiment within certain groups in Scotland and almost something I've become resigned to.

I'm sorry it's happened to you though. Football doesn't always bring out the best in people.

Thank you for your comments. I have been subjected to anti English comments more than once, I was told during the vote on whether Scotland should be an independent country that it was a shame that people like me get a vote. You know like the other people who live here and work here and therefore it will affect. I have in the past been called an English…… pick your own swear word as I’ve heard them all. That did of course sting every time but I think it bothers me more this time because it’s right on my doorstep and yet even in what should be my safe place I can’t escape it. I think a camera is a good idea and because our front door sits at the side of the property instead of the front it would be quite easy to catch them when they undoubtedly do it again.

Giving the shouting abuse has happened so rarely I think speaking to his parent is appropriate. I would tell his parents now that you will be calling the police if it happens a third time though.

Throwing bricks I would have called the police for at the time but thats by the by now

It’s ridiculous that anyone still spouts any of the sectarian, old firm shit in this day and age

What a nasty piece of work their son is and the same for his friends. Tell the neighbours that you’ve had to put a security camera and that if there’s any damage or hurling of abuse you’ll be going straight to the police. Stop taking in their parcels and helping with the bins as their yob of a son can do these chores.