h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

They don't have 'social problems'. They're bloody vandals.

These 'kids' have been coming into the hotel over the last week, in different groups, doing everything from trying to break into the fruit machines to trashing my wildlife pond - F1900573?thread=2781700&post=38836548. The local newspaper will be in touch tomorrow.

The police? How much of a poo do you think they give?

So what am I left with? My family's business is under seige (so it seems at times); not only that but it's my home. Something gets wrecked every night. What can I do?

I caught two trying to break into the hotel opposite last night. A long argument ensued; the upshot was that the 18ish year old ringleader felt I wouldn't hit him. I wouldn't. It would be most unfortunate, however, if he would happen to fall down the stairs next time he gets in. I'm sure that would hurt severely.

I'm prepared to go so far to meet them, but at some point a spade becomes a spade; a thug a thug. A thief is a thief. One must take some kind of action, if no-one else will.

I'm a pacifist, you know. Violence is not my nature. I've not hurt *anyone* physically since I was 13. But this is getting too much.

hi Rich. sorry to hear about this. Please take precautions though, these toerags will think nothing of using a weapon against you mate. I've had dealings in my former role as a bobby and believe me they ain't worth spit. You're worth 10,000 of them so be carefull. Keep pestering the police, they will act, and should act.
Take care mate.

I'm sorry you're having to put up with these thugs, Rich. They are the bane of modern times

They have social issues - they can't seem to figure out how to behave in a socially acceptable way. Keep on the cops - it's their job, and these are delinquents.

Hire a bouncer?

If you continually found them in your lounge, what would you do?

If they smashed up your garden?

If the police never even bothered to phone you back?

If they actually told you there was 'nothing you could do'?

Whataheck 'nothing to do'?! THey haven't got an officer to spare from the local Krispy Kreme? And if you marched in with video evidence? Any chance they'll give in just to get you off their backs?

What excuse do they give for their inability to do their job?

I gather this is a small hotel without the benefit of 'hotel security' in an imposing uniform?

The rampant teenagers told me there was nothing I could do, Leo. But when my face was three inches or so from the ringleader's, I'm pretty sure he disagreed with that assessment. I'm sure the press interest tomorrow should spark the police into more motivation - if not, I'm not sure what I'll do.

We're looking into CCTV, but for us the cost is pretty expensive - we don't make any money from it and we work at a borderline break-even as it is. The police haven't given any excuse as yet, as I haven't been able to speak to an officer despite my protestations; our barman followed the thugs around as they were destroying our street describing their every move - then found the cops sitting in their cars 100m away chatting. So we're up against apathy too.

We do regular security runs every evening, but they seem to see us going. We've got enough staff to police it in theory, but there's always somehwre they'll try to find a way in. The biggest problem is that competing hotels don't seem to see the value in keeping them off all of our premises and don't warn us if they're about; 'you phone us, we'll phone you' only seems to work if they're heading off our land.

The garden destruction has, however, hit me a bit more personally. I've worked on it for several months

Just remember you can use reasonable force to protect yourself and property but be safe as well. The police sound a disgrace there, certainly worth a letter of complaint to both the local police authority and the chief constable.
best luck sorting it, take care.

Thanks, ST

sorry, you've never ever heard about/from me, but here's my advice: the media is very good. Parents are good. CCTV works, but there are better ways. For example: I once knew a shop keeper who's cameras' didn't actually work. I think they were just the plastic casings or some such...but they were placed so obviously (under outdoor lamps and so forth) that no vandal could miss them. Maybe it was the "Secured by Video Survalence" sign, but he never had problems...

I hope this helps

Hi Rich.
Sorry to hear about whats happening.
What sort of police force do you have there!! It sounds like they need a swift kick up the bracket to get them motivated
I hope you get better results once the media gets involved.
Goodluck

I'm so sorry to hear this, Rich
They should make those youths do social work, like re-instating your pond, maybe they'd then think twice before destroying other people's hard work. Hope the police will get into action soon!

MEDIA MEDIA!

Sorry to shout, but that seems like the best idea yet. And have your barman and all staff to carry cameras, taking pictures of stuff happening, sending those to the police and (of course local paper).



I hope this gets resolved quickly! Are some of the police parents to these yobs? Or why the laissez-faire?

Sorry to hear about this, Rich . That kind of thing makes me so angry, especially about your wildlife pond.

Have you thought of getting a dog? A hefty-sounding bark might put them off a bit...

Lbclaire

Social problems my bum I'v known kids with social probs, heck I've got one! and he'd never behave like 'that' in a million years.

The police do kind of have their hands tied thanks to all thesebolloks new laws about kids 'rights' and kids know that theres nothing we or the police can do about them at their age! Bing back tjhe days when any adult could give any child a good clip round the ear if they were lippy! We'd never have dreamed of being so disrespctful at that age.



couple of years ago my flat was broken into n trashed one afternoon by kids. The group I suspect were all under 12. The police came out n sent oyt a finger print woman, but they could do , and did do absolutely nothing very little was stolen..a few of joshs dvds n ps2 games but thats not the point!

The police round here target the parents by working with social services and the local council. If they are from council homes and the parents refuse to deal with their children (even those over 18) the council remove their secured tenancy and put them on a probationary tenancy. If they kids continue, the parents can be evicted.

Obviously that's for the worst offenders, but it has apparently really helped in other areas in my town. Maybe there's a scheme like that where you are? Obviously it only works for council tenants.

I have the dubious pleasure of living on one of the largest purpose built council estates in Europe..n the police n social services really are as good as useless here., definately worh checking out if theres better services in Cornwall though Rich!

I like the idea of photos and a photo gallery - can you take out an ad in the local paper?

on your behalf - I really don't know what to say.
Write to your MP, chief constable etc and log every time you try to speak to the police and are ignored or fobbed off.

Little ... well, probably I shouldn't use language like I want to. What about these famous Asbos that we all hear so much about?

Rich, I m sick to my stomach for you. The trouble is bad enogh and must make life a nightmare, especially as you cannot get away from it off duty. The wildlife pond in particular is very upsetiting.

As the granddaughter of an old (Very old) style policeman, I am sick and ashamed of the way the police throughout the country are behaving. I have some sympathy for them, as they must be totally demoralised with the PC rubbish and paperwork they have to put up with but it doesn't excuse such apathy. My grandfather and many more policemen like him must be turning in their graves.

I will repeat what has been said before MEDIA - MEDIA - and more media, and go right to the top of your local police.

Do you have local radio or tv station? Give them a call.

I wish you and please, do take care of yourself. The victims cannot rely on the police or anyone else to support them.



Websailor

Too right, Websailor They are going to be portrayed as the victims. When did this happen? Why can we not stand up and defend our property, OUR rights anymore?

I used to live on a sink estate until last year. It was horrific! Mini moto cycles racing around the estate, vandalism, empty houses burned down for the joy of it! The police even patrolled the estate two hourly and these things still happened!

Good luck with your're reconstruction. It makes me sad that some people do not respect other's efforts.