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Original poster

Are there any legal steps I can take

146 replies

112233aa · 27/04/2023 19:29

Another neighbour one so please bare with me.

Background: I have 3DC, one of which has a disabled badge and has various hidden disabilities. Outside my house is 2 public spaces, due to having no drive one of which we've parked in since we moved in (the same one every time if t matters) they have parked in the other one.

If anyone parks in 'their' space the husband gets shitty with you. for example he's purposely parked in a way that someone hasn't been able to even get in their car to move it, becomes verbally aggressive and he's even parked outside someones house blocking their drive as they've parked their car in 'his' space.

The local council have been out and put markers out for a disabled bay outside of our property. Ever since this he's been making life difficult for us. Parking in ways that DC couldn't get in the car without difficulties, staring at us continuously when we leave the house, coming out of the house whenever we are to just stare.

It all came to a blow the other week when as I got home he started shouting and swearing at us. "we were all frauds, scroungers, scum, not really disabled"etc and he was "going to report us". Later that night I was moving my car he came barrelling out of his house and started shouting at me. Telling me to move my car and he wants to swap spaces. I said no and he repeatedly carried on, shouting and pointing before going to get his keys and coming back out.

I tried to go in and he continued stood in-between my car and my house, being generally verbally abusive and vile and his wife came out to watch from the doorstep. All we kind of got from his verbal attack was he didn't want a blue badge space there and as DC could walk he wasn't "actually disabled" and they know "for a fact the only reason he has blue badge was because I told them what to say, which obviously isn't possible or true. His wife chimed in with some other stuff about how she "knew" things about DC and his needs and how she can report him as he can walk. (she works for the NHS and could look him up if she wanted). I went inside as she was screaming obscenities and just some unpleasant stuff about my DC.

I reported this incident to the police but due to staffing issues they wouldn't investigate further despite video footage. Since then they've continued to try and intimidate and harass us. Whenever we leave the house he leaves his house this is caught on our camera. Whenever someone comes to visit they take photos of them or stare out the window of them recording them making them uncomfortable.

Today I received an email saying a complaint has been made against my DC and his blue badge. It listed various false allegations that they have said to us they were going to make and others that wouldn't even be possible. They also stated that they have taken photos and videos of my DC outside our home. God knows how many they have of us doing things.

Obviously I explained everything to them and they were very sympathetic but this is becoming unbearable. My children can no longer go outside our property due to them taking photos of them and people no longer want to come round due to them. I've also logged this with the police. I suffer from anxiety and I now don't feel comfortable leaving my home.

Is there any steps I can take?

OP posts:
Boomboom22 · 27/04/2023 23:04

I don't think the wife did look her up. If she had she wouldn't have complained as she'd know the blue badge is valid.

savoycabbage · 28/04/2023 06:35

Boomboom22 · 27/04/2023 23:04

I don't think the wife did look her up. If she had she wouldn't have complained as she'd know the blue badge is valid.

You are using rational thinking, they won't be. You would not believe the things that my neighbours said and did to us,

As an example, they bought a puppy and called it a racist name so that they could shout that racist name at my BABY and then tell the police they were calling the dog.

Paq · 28/04/2023 06:51

Can you go to your local representatives - MP or councillor - and ask them to help you escalate it with the police?

Original poster
112233aa · 28/04/2023 07:46

Thank you all for your advice. I will look into logging a complaint with both of their work places however I am concerned with backlash it'll cause. They will know it is me.

They're not social housing tenants. In fact I'm the only social housing tenant in the street hence why he calls me a "scrounger"

I'm hoping the police take this incident seriously especially as he's taking pictures of my children and have made it impossible for them to leave the house

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 28/04/2023 07:49

Definitely contact LADO as well. This is a safeguarding issue. What about your MP? Definitely police commissioner.

Brahumbug · 28/04/2023 07:50

I am not certain it meets the criteria of a hate crime, but it it certainly assault or at the very least a section 5 public order offense. The GDPR request to see if your records have been accessed is an important suggestion and would be a disciplinary offence at the least. Do contact the Navy with his name and address. They Will be able to find which base he is stationed at.

Pashazade · 28/04/2023 08:01

Whilst it's not an offence, if he's taking photos of your children I'd say that ups the harassment stakes.

Original poster
112233aa · 28/04/2023 08:02

TizerorFizz · 28/04/2023 07:49

Definitely contact LADO as well. This is a safeguarding issue. What about your MP? Definitely police commissioner.

I'm not sure what LADO is but I'll look into it, alongside the MP however she is pretty useless at the best of times

OP posts:
Original poster
112233aa · 28/04/2023 08:04

Brahumbug · 28/04/2023 07:50

I am not certain it meets the criteria of a hate crime, but it it certainly assault or at the very least a section 5 public order offense. The GDPR request to see if your records have been accessed is an important suggestion and would be a disciplinary offence at the least. Do contact the Navy with his name and address. They Will be able to find which base he is stationed at.

They are only doing this because they don't believe my DC has disability. They've confirmed this multiple times.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 28/04/2023 08:05

TellerTuesday · 27/04/2023 21:23

Do you have a partner living with you OP or are you a single mum? I'm presuming the latter but forgive me if I'm wrong. He's basically just a bully and if you are a lone parent I would be getting a male friend, family member to come round & have a word in his ear.

Definitely keep on at the police and I would make contact with the NHS Trust that his wife works at and complain about that also.

dont do this, - you are just escalating it, and who knows what the outcome would be

Fandabedodgy · 28/04/2023 08:07

Each and every time report to police as a hate crime.

Keep a log.

If still getting no where complain n yo MP

Contact the charity relevant to DC's disabilities and ask if they can support and advise.

Contact social services and ask if they will support on the grounds off DC disabilities to get support from police.

friskybivalves · 28/04/2023 08:09

112233aa · 28/04/2023 08:04

They are only doing this because they don't believe my DC has disability. They've confirmed this multiple times.

Show quote history

You poor thing. Maybe put in a SAR request with the police and the hospital too? That tends to put the frighteners on them. The government's recent Antisocial behaviour action plan has lots of stuff about this kind of thing - the police absolutely should be taking it seriously. What party is your local MP? Have you tweeted them or asked to see them in person at one of their surgeries for constituents? Agree with complaining to the police and crime commissioner. It is repellent that you are being given the brush-off and your children are suffering like this. Don't suppose you have local elections coming up on May 4?? Local politicians are very keen to be seen to be doing things for the community.

LizzieSiddal · 28/04/2023 08:14

I'm hoping the police take this incident seriously especially as he's taking pictures of my children and have made it impossible for them to leave the house

The police are NOT doing their job, it’s absolutely disgusting of them to keep giving you off. Maybe there is a Police officer here who can tell you who to complain to. But you really should go back to them with every incident written down and tell them you are worried for your Dcs safety.

Could you also go to your child’s school and tell them how worried you are? They may have suggestions.

LizzieSiddal · 28/04/2023 08:17

I hope a lawyer comes along too in a minute to advise you.

Also Citizens Advice are very good with free solicitor time.

Original poster
112233aa · 28/04/2023 08:18

I will definitely put in a SARs with the hospital and the police, I've requested them from the person I spoke to yesterday so I can try and get a copy of the photos of my children they've taken.

Unfortunately our MP is a Tory and has a very poor record of helping the community with things that don't really interest/benefit her

OP posts:
Original poster
112233aa · 28/04/2023 08:20

LizzieSiddal · 28/04/2023 08:14

I'm hoping the police take this incident seriously especially as he's taking pictures of my children and have made it impossible for them to leave the house

The police are NOT doing their job, it’s absolutely disgusting of them to keep giving you off. Maybe there is a Police officer here who can tell you who to complain to. But you really should go back to them with every incident written down and tell them you are worried for your Dcs safety.

Could you also go to your child’s school and tell them how worried you are? They may have suggestions.

My children are HE partly due to DC disability making it a much better learning environment with DCs disability.

OP posts:
NaturalStudy · 28/04/2023 08:21

Agree with asking for support from social services. The more agencies involved the better.

You need to start putting the pressure on and not taking no for an answer. Write to the police with all of the evidence and incidents of hate crime and harassment against children and ask them to confirm in writing that they are not going to do anything about it. Forcing people to document things in writing usually prompts them to act. Then write to your MP with the same. Then write to their employers with the same.

However when you see your neighbours I would ignore them as much as possible. These people feed off seeing you stressed and upset. Just smile politely whenever you see them and go about whatever you were doing. If he speaks to you directly say that you are going to record everything he says.

Hotvimto3 · 28/04/2023 08:21

RandomMess · 27/04/2023 19:33

Escalate with the police as this is a hate crime, he is intimidating and abusing children. I would be speaking/emailing/writing to the police daily. I would look at escalating via the complaints procedure.

Absolutely this. The police bat everything back. You have to be firm.
Could any disabilities charities support you with this. Sounds utterly horrendous im so sorry x

Hotvimto3 · 28/04/2023 08:22

112233aa · 28/04/2023 07:46

Thank you all for your advice. I will look into logging a complaint with both of their work places however I am concerned with backlash it'll cause. They will know it is me.

They're not social housing tenants. In fact I'm the only social housing tenant in the street hence why he calls me a "scrounger"

I'm hoping the police take this incident seriously especially as he's taking pictures of my children and have made it impossible for them to leave the house

His behaviour is disgusting apply for a non molestation order

Daffodil63 · 28/04/2023 08:35

It should be fairly easy to find out who the chief executive of the NHS is or PALS and write to both and ask if they can check whether she has looked up your child. This is such a breach of policy her feet won't touch the ground once they start looking into that, likewise with head of the navy, it will take some time but your complaint will filter down to the relevant person.
Surely filming children is illegal? I'm sure you shouldn't film a child without parental permission.
Is there a support organisation for your child's disability that could help you?

PinkCast · 28/04/2023 08:46

This sounds horrendous, I'm so sorry! I'm not in the UK so no advice, but you've had lots here. Really hope you can get some support and get this resolved.

Greyarea12 · 28/04/2023 09:06

On top of reporting to police (I would go to your local station with footage) and reporting them to their places of work, I would also contact a solicitor. You got 30 mins free consultation. Go armed with bullet points of what has been happening, ask their advice/suggestions (court orders) and how much it would cost, if anything (you may be entitled to legal aid/could ask.the Court to make.the bullies liable for the costs).

Please try not to not do anything based on worry of repercussions. I know that's easy for me to say but that's how bullies continue to be bullies when you don't stand up to them.

Boomboomboomboom · 28/04/2023 09:16

Your housing association can apply for an antisocial behaviour injunction against your neighbours even though they are not housing association tenants. Have you reported everything to your housing association? There is MORE than enough here for a county court injunction

ThreeB · 28/04/2023 09:20

You need to report this to the Navy. Don't worry about which base he's at, that can easily be found out once you've made a complaint. Call the base central number and explain that you wish to make a complaint for harassment and you'd like to talk to the senior RN police officer on base.

Alternatively, ask to speak the the base Padre. They are exceptionally good at offering support and advice.

Are you on a military housing patch?

Brahumbug · 28/04/2023 09:24

@112233aa
They are only doing this because they don't believe my DC has disability. They've confirmed this multiple times.

I don't doubt it and they are complete scum. What they have done is a section 5 public order offense and even an assault. The police are being disgraceful in not pursuing this. If they don't then complain to the chief constable.