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

Why cant people just leave me alone?

I remember ages ago in school when another pupil planted a dirty mag in my desk to try to get me into trouble - I couldn't fathom why on earth someone would do that?

Today's annoyance is brought to you by teh neighbourhood kids. About a month ago I noticed that the shed window had been broken by pellets from a BB gun (and when I asked the next door neighbour I got a right earful from him about how dare I accuse his son!)

Today there were about 4 or 5 of them hanging around. They would rattle and bang the door - that's annoying but liveable with. Then they started throwing lumps of soil at the door. I gave them a bit of a telling off at that point, as I brushed it up. And as I was brushing the step, which I've only just had re-tiled, I noticed some tiles missing off the side. Now I can't be sure it was Those Pesky Kids, but it seems unlikely that they fell off all by themselves.

I'm now back at work and Jem tells me they've moved the hanging basket from its hook by the door to the front gate.

And I'm just shaking with rage. Have they no Playstations to sit in front of? Maybe it'll rain soon.

That's horrible! Is there nothing you can do?

I think all you can do is tell the police and keep a meticulous diary. If you recognise any of the kids, record that too.

I imagine you could file a trespassing complaint, and vandalism as well. I'd keep a video camera handy in order to catch them in the act, if possible.

It's a shame the neighbour isn't cooperative.

little gits. Are they school-age? (soon be September)

chuck a spanner at the little blighters go and see the local vicar!

School age yes, roll on September! I'm just worried cos I'll be renting this house out by then, so I don't want my tenants to feel the same vindictiveness.

Fix a surveillance camera above the front door. It doesn't need to actually work, but they should be led to believe that you're filming them. (Provided this is legal over there)

I'm not sure that would help. One of the other incidents concerned a shed window at the back of the house. I'd really like to have another chat with the neighbours on either side- they both have kids in this group- and try to civilly ask if they are happy with the level of supervision going on while they are out at work

You have my sympathy. What to do about annoying, destructive little sh**ts (sorry, I mean poor bored children with nothing to do) is a modern day problem that would have been dealt with swiftly a generation or two ago. Yes kids have always, and always will push the limits of what they can get away with, but the difference today is that we are all mostly impotent. Kids are (literally) untouchable, so the envelope now has no limits at all.

It's a very sorry state of affairs we're in now where adults are not allowed to punish in any way another person's child, or, if the hippy idiots get their way, even our own

I have zero tolerance for misbehaving children and it's one of my great fears that one will push me too far one day and i'll end up in prison for hitting one of the little sods.

Poor Moonhogg ended up moving house because of this problem. The most bizarre attack on his house was when one of the kids sawed the lid off his wheelie bin to use as a toboggan.

In my brother's house, some kid put a hose through his letter box and left it running. Very messy.

It's particularly annoying when you're a decent neighbour yourself and that's how it's repaid...

Bea, do NOT throw anything at them nor brandish it if you can help it- not that I think you’d be stupid enough to do so; a friend of ours did that to gypsy children who were annoying her, to get them off her back, and several other residents of my town and she has now been arrested and everything that brings with it.

Go to the police and record the incidents... all I could say.

Well, yes, lobbing missiles at people does tend to fall foul of the law, but I can't see Bea doing that.

I was wondering whether there are any good community representatives in that part of the city, though. Some of them are pretty good at sorting things like this out in a low-key way, before it blows out of proportion.

Yes I don't think I've ever thrown anything at anyone, nor am I likely too! Kb that's a really good suggestion, I don't think involving the police at this stage would be productive

One sprung to mind, but I'm not that familiar with them all around there. If nothing else, she'd probably have a few ideas or suggestions.

Never suggested you would, Bea, just saying in case it gets out of hand... I agree with KB, I think getting a community worker or someone like that involved may be a good idea at this stage.