Anti social behavior or boys being boys

[ChocolateSqueezyyogurts]

I received a phone call from the police today but was in work so didnt answer. They left a VM saying they would call me later (obviously I was confused and concerned why) they rang back a couple of hours later to say my 16 year old DS and a group of his friends have been caught on CCTV playing football on a local astro turf pitch and the club has reported them for anti social behaviour.

The club think the boys have climbed over the fence but the boys are saying the gate was left open and they know they shouldn't have been on there but they didnt think anybody would know.

The police officer said they wanted to visit each of the boys at home to explain that they are being let off this time but to issue a warning.

Ive obviously told my son not to do this again but I think young lads this age are probably always pulling stunts like this and to class it as anti social behavior is a bit much.

Wtf? - “Perhaps the people who don't think so haven't had much male input in their lives.”

This isn’t a ‘boys will be boys issue’ it’s a ‘kids will be kids’ issue. If a girl had done this do you think she should be punished more harshly because it’s not “acceptable” behaviour for a girl but is for a boy?

That's probably why the police are treating it as anti social behaviour.

What's antisocial about playing football on a pitch though?

They found somewhere to play football and told not to. They did it once. How is this antisocial behaviour? Did they break anything? I got up to much worse as a kid but no one got hurt. Unless they did anything else, or multiple times, they're just behaving as normal kids pushing boundaries. This is over reaction. Of course they should get a telling off.

@Thechaseison71 it's anti social if they are not meant to be on it and causing a nuisance

Why don't you read the thread and find out?

As a one off, technically it's not ASB unless they have caused damage or a nuisance but I expect the police feel it's worth intervening early. If nothing is done, word gets around that the football pitch is a free for all? Then what?

I think the attitude that stuff like this doesn't matter is part of the problem. Do we only ever wait until it is a problem and damage is done?

Ive obviously told my son not to do this again but I think young lads this age are probably always pulling stunts like this and to class it as anti social behavior is a bit much.

OP. You are part of the problem. Pack in "boys will be boys" grow up and teach your sons how to be productive and useful members of society.

Must be a slow time for the police in your area!

If they were booting a football up and down the middle of a pedestrian shopping precinct, I would class that as antisocial. Calling playing football on a football pitch antisocial behaviour is a stretch to say the very least.

I personally believe that it should be illegal to lock up sports facilities but that's another argument!

Boys will be boys is an excuse used to minimise poor behaviour.
Your son was trespassing and knew it. They could have caused damage and then who would pay? They could have been injured and that’s when parents start to complain or even try to sue for injuries their little darlings have sustained that are basically their own fault.
Take it seriously or next time who knows where he’ll trespass - into someone’s house perhaps…?

Boys will be boys is a bullshit saying.

Boys should be held accountable for their behaviour and not have it overlooked or downplayed because of their gender.

This is exactly the kind of attitude that lets boys and men think they’re entitled to act and think a certain way and that they’re superior to women.

I’m not convinced playing football on a football pitch indicates anything about being a useful member of society!

Trespassing is a civil matter, it only becomes a criminal matter IF the boys had been asked to leave and they refused by the land owner.

Id be having words with my child because frankly your child is lying , they knew they shouldn’t have been in a gated astro pitch with no permission or paid to be there.

However I’d refuse the warning, as no crime has been committed and would get my lawyer involved if they tried to force the issue.

@xILikeJamx ca you explain that. The club will have to pay for maintaining the astro (very expensive). they would be liable if anyone gets hurt on their property. Why should it be free for for everyone to use at all times. They have CCTV, I bet they have had problems with damage, to fork out for CCTV

Interesting how the police knew who they were

It's all in the phrasing, isn't it? "Young people find disused land and engage in an outdoors sport that encourages healthy team-building and co-operation." is a much more positive spin.

The people suggesting damage is likely to have been caused don't have a clue what they are talking about and are just looking for a way to criminalise these kids.

Astroturf pitches can be damaged by football boots with blades or wet-ground studs. Not by trainers!

It's amazing how much people hate to see kids having fun. Yes they shouldn't be sneaking in there and should be told not to do it again, but it is standard boundary-pushing I would expect from any teen (male or female) with a bit of mischievous spirit!

It’s not so much the “crime” that was committed here it’s the OPs attitude.

If she was to say to her son that it wasn’t ok that he trespassed and that he needs to be more respectful etc it wouldn’t be an end of the world situation but it’s the fact OP is basically patting her son on the head whilst chuckling and saying “oh boys will be boys, you did nothing wrong now run along and play.”

This attitude sets boys up to become entitled men who think they’re allowed to do what they want when they want with no consequences.

Tbh I would actually be considering legal advice if the police insist on this visit. You have got to watch them as they often go beyond their powers with young people who they believe don’t know their rights.

I’m not convinced any criminal offence has been committed here. Certainly not one that requires this much police time.

Presumably they have sent someone out to speak to the club, review CCTV, then contact the parents and now want to carry out individual home visits for numerous teenagers.

It is an absolutely scandalous waste of time and resources!

they broke in. That is not useful, that is trespass. I think the police should take action. It might prevent them from breaking into someone else's facilities in future.

My point is: if OP is one of those weak "oh boys will be boys" parents, she needs to grow a spine, and get on top of this before it gets worse.

I read the thread. Still don't see what's anti social

If you are speaking about the trespas that's not a criminal offense

Clubs should receive government grants for maintenance to leave their pitches open when not in use. Keep kids active, healthy, outdoors and building social skills.

The club local to me has little gates that allow an adult to barely squeeze through that are left open all the times. The pitch has about 50 kids on it at pretty much all times when school's not in - I think it's amazing. They fundraise in the community to help with upkeep and locals are gladly willing to donate for all the good it does.

Did they cause a nuisance

I personally believe that it should be illegal to lock up sports facilities but that's another argument!

I would also like you to explain your reasoning @xILikeJamx

Are you involved in managing a sports club with its own facility? I am and while we are delighted to welcome members at the appropriate times, to leave the facility permanently open would be bad for the facility (damage, whether deliberate or accidental, is a big issue) and potentially dangerous for users.