"Knock up ginger" Hell!

[Ripeberry]

Hi, Just had it with the neighbour's kids around here.
There is a gang of 7-11yrs olds who regularly come to my door and do knock up ginger, sometimes up to 20 times a day.
I've tried ignoring it but they just bang louder.
I've opened the door suddenly on them and they just run.
Just want to get them to stop.
If i go out they like to call me names and i'm getting a bit upset by it all.
To cut a long story short, it all got too much for me today, as i just heard that my mother is not well and i think i've got PMT but i caught one of the little shits and gave him a right telling off.
He then ran off saying he was going to get his dad to come and beat me up! I'm so scared, i've cried loads about this and my 4yr DD and 22month DD have been crying with me.
Why can't they just leave me alone. I've done nothing to them, why do kids have to be so nasty to others.
I think if the dad turns up i will have to have my two dds with me and then i'll tell him the police will be called if he tries anything.
Anyway thanks for listening.
What would you do in such a situation. I live on a large estate and i'm not sure where these kids live.
Adele.

Trying to think how I would deal with this and not coming up with much at the moment but just wanted to say that sounds awful

contact your community policeman. not sure what he'll do, but if it's a problem in your estate he might have an idea.

going and shouting at them will egg them on, can you refuse to answer your door for a couple of days unless you are expecting someone? The will eventually tire of it, but POOR YOU. Really feel for you.

hia, do you know any big lads to be there when they come and maybe scare the living daylights out of them?

this crap makes me so angry, and most of them will only be there cos of the peer pressure..

tell them if you see them near your house again you will ring the police..

How scary for you. The dad probably won't come round. Whats the boy going to say? I keep knocking on this ladies front door then she had a go at me? I would just ignore them and if you keep ignoring, surely they'll get bored. it's more than likely your occasional reaction that is keeping them interested.

I'd be surprised if the Dad did turn up to be honest because then his son would have to own up to playing Knock and Run on you and get himself into trouble.

If he did though, I would explain to him that you're glad he's come as you have 2 small children and it's disturbing their naps having the door going all the time. I'd say you were reluctant to get the police involved but as you didn't know where the children lived you felt you had no other option. Be as nice as possible and hope he's a reasonable person and will tell his son to behave.

HTH. Quite crappy advice really, sorry

I've been out and shouted at kids in our street before now and then spend the whole evening worrying if there'll be repercussions from it so I understand how you're feeling.

don't worry about the dad, I''m absolutely certain he won't come round.

I'd ask to speak to the community policeman. We had a lot of trouble with some local children. When the CP arrived he knew from our descriptions who the culprits were and went round to talk to each set of parents.

A joke is one thing but it sounds as though this has gone way beyond that.

you have my heart felt sympathy.
harry potter calls most nights in his invisibilty cloak(as ds 14 puts it) we know who the boy is. drives me up the wall...
we try to ignore it and not answer the door.
but it is hard. the boy is part of a group(he is autistic and I think the others say oh go and knock on mini 2shoes door and he does)
no help to you but it is MADDENING
ring the police(not 999 lol) they will be able to advice you)

firstly you need to contact your housing officer. youneed to ask how they will help you. they can give you diary sheets and show you how to fill them in properly. they can also point you in the direction of other people - professionals who may be able to help in your area.

then contact your COMMUNITY SAFETY CO-ORDINATOR.
Tthen contact your community police officer

the kids are not even thinking twice about it - they are not thinking adult enough to be terrorising you - they just think its fun - and it bloody isnt.

so dont feel victimised - because the kids arnt victimising you they are just beinf little shits.

this wont help you - but whent hekids do it round here - they get one chance - the chance when we open the door and realise we been had then we shout out loud " next time the dogs out!"

next time we open the door and let the dog out.

she doesnt bite but she runs like fuck and scares the fucking shit out of them.

we know who the kids are and i have no qualms going seeing parents.

you just need to try to figure out where one of them lives and get the balls to knock on he door and say VERY NICELY i have seen your girl playing knock down gingerat my door - its not JUST her but wondered if you could have a word

and remember - once they hit 10 years old they can be arrested.

telling the parents can work
few years back a man came and complained about ds doing it and we made sure he stopped and I put the word out with the other mums.
(see we are just getting pay bak)

Thank you all very much for your kind words and support. Been quiet so far so hopefully they did get scared.
Never thought about getting the police involved as i thought they would see me as a time waster.
I'm feeling much happier, thank goodness for mumsnet as i've only moved to this estate a couple of months back and don't know anybody.
Thanks again.
Adele.