How to Tackle the Youths Gathering Outside Your House

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How to Tackle the Youths Gathering Outside Your House

When young people gather near your home

Groups of teenagers often gather in parks, street corners, and residential areas, particularly during evenings and school holidays. In most cases, this is harmless: young people need somewhere to socialise, and public spaces serve that purpose.

When groups regularly gather directly outside your property, it can become wearing. Noise, litter, and general disruption are common concerns. Some residents feel intimidated, even when no threat is intended.

This article covers practical steps you can take if groups gathering outside your home are causing genuine problems, helping you respond proportionately without escalating the situation.

Anti-Social Behaviour: Who To Call Decision Tree

Faced with anti-social behaviour and not sure whether to call the police, the council, your landlord or someone else? Describe what is happening and we will tell you who handles it and what evidence to gather.

Try our Anti-Social Behaviour: Who To Call Decision Tree free, here on this site →

Assess the situation calmly

Before taking action, consider what is actually happening. Are the young people simply talking and passing time, or causing actual problems? These situations call for different responses.

Check whether they are gathering on public land or private property. On public land, they generally have as much right to be there as anyone else. On private property, the landowner has more options.

Occasional gatherings that disperse within a reasonable time are usually best ignored. If you live near a bus stop, shop, or park, some level of gathering is to be expected. However, if gatherings are frequent and prolonged, or if specific problems arise, you may need to act. Problems worth addressing include:

  • Persistent loud noise, particularly late at night
  • Litter being left on or immediately outside your property
  • Damage to fences, walls, or vehicles
  • Verbal abuse or intimidating behaviour
  • Drug use or drinking in the immediate vicinity
  • Blocking access to your property

Keep a record if problems occur regularly. Note dates, times, and what happened. This information will be useful if you involve authorities later.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Speaking to young people directly

A polite request to keep noise down or move along slightly may be all that is needed. Many young people respond reasonably to a calm approach.

However, think carefully before approaching any group, particularly if they appear to have been drinking or using drugs, if there have been previous hostile interactions, if you feel genuinely unsafe, if the group is large, or if it is late at night. Confrontations can escalate badly. Your personal safety comes first: if you have any doubt, do not approach.

If you do speak to the group, keep your tone neutral. Requesting they keep the noise down is often more effective than asking them to leave. Avoid lecturing or being condescending.

Speaking to parents can help if you know who they are. A friendly word with a parent may resolve the issue without any confrontation with the young people themselves.

Involving authorities and longer term approaches

If direct approaches have not worked, or you do not feel safe making them, various authorities can help.

Your local council is usually your first contact for anti-social behaviour concerns. Most councils have dedicated community safety teams who can send warning letters, arrange mediated discussions, or work with other agencies. Search your council's website for information on reporting anti-social behaviour.

Police involvement is appropriate if you witness criminal activity such as drug dealing, vandalism, or assault. For non-emergencies, call 101 or report online through your local force's website. For emergencies, call 999. Police have powers including dispersal orders that can require people to leave an area.

Housing associations can help if the young people live in social housing nearby. Many have community safety teams that can take action against tenants whose household members cause problems for neighbours.

If problems continue despite initial reports, keep logging incidents and updating authorities. Councils and police prioritise cases with clear evidence of ongoing problems.

Community Protection Notices can be issued to individuals causing persistent anti-social behaviour. Before a notice is issued, a written warning must be given. Breaching a notice is a criminal offence.

You can request a Community Trigger (sometimes called an ASB Case Review) if you have reported anti-social behaviour three or more times within six months without satisfactory resolution. This requires local agencies to review your case and develop an action plan. Check with your council for specific criteria in your area.

Practical measures around your property may help. Better lighting can deter gatherings in darker spots. Removing low walls or seating areas may make your property frontage less attractive as a gathering point, though structural changes may require planning permission.

Working collectively with other affected residents through neighbourhood watch schemes can be more effective than acting alone, and demonstrates to authorities that the problem affects multiple households.

For detailed information about anti-social behaviour powers and processes, GOV.UK provides guidance on the legal framework. A measured approach, starting with the least confrontational options and escalating only when necessary, will usually produce better results than immediate confrontation.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Anti-Social Behaviour: Who To Call Decision Tree lets you faced with anti-social behaviour and not sure whether to call the police, the council, your landlord or someone else? Describe what is happening and we will tell you who handles it and what evidence to gather. Try it now →

Ask Problem Neighbours a Question
ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/05/2026 at 1:27 pm
@Wendy Three years of that would break anyone, but please don't go down the route of getting them beaten up, you'd be the one in court, not them. Start logging every incident with dates, times and recordings, then report it to your council's antisocial behaviour team as a formal complaint, not just a letter. Fireworks being set off in the street is a police matter too, ring 101 every single time. Persistent, documented complaints are what actually forces action.
Wendy 28/02/2024 at 7:18 pm
I have anti social school teens very naughty playing basketball in front of my house (20 feet away)everyday 11 hours 8.30am till 7pm , play bombing fire crackers whole daytime, screamings, Piling noises, Dong! Bang! Dang! Non stop, sharp shoes noises non stop. I feel upmost stress everyday. Punch my face, punch my heart. Rebellious, Anti-Social, Very Naughty. At first I thought talking to their parents can solve the problems. Their parents are same like them, drive them here to make noises. Nothing can be done. The only thing can solve is hire 4 long term security guard or they can trace them back to their home, undercover, confisticate-destroy ther bicycle or car so they can't come. Still sturborn, only get them beaten up till they don't come. 3 long years, nothing can be solve. Letters to government, talk to their parents. Nothing work. Just beat them up so they get the message clear.
Asbo UK 03/08/2023 at 1:35 am
My druggie neighbours chant insults and mutter rude comments! Whatever! They were taunting their kids and I couldnt sleep! Now I get 24/7 muttering! Im sick of talking to these no-class muppets! Karma will get them! And these ethnic people just get hi! I dont want to talk with or mix with just anyone! Leave me alone! Uk
Jiji 21/07/2023 at 11:37 am
There’s no harm if it’s not late night, give em a break. But late night til 1am is going too far. That’s what I have! Does my head in. You just have to keep calling the police and it takes a few weeks to get on top of it.
Sue 27/04/2023 at 10:00 pm
My sister is disabled,and most nights she get a boy about 12 ring her door bell. Her bell have got the lad on camera. He's been there 4 times this evening. It is quite annoying as she has mobility problems and on her own. Who can l contact to try to find out the lad to put a stop to it
This country is a jo 04/04/2023 at 8:07 pm
20 plus yobs causing chaos outside my 82 year old father's house phoned the clowns sorry the police they drove past and didn't even stop cowards tha they are I'm going to withhold my council tax from now onwards as the majority of it pays for these utterly useless people.
OopsyWangy 23/03/2023 at 12:14 pm
I made the mistake of chasing some kids away who where not just playing, but rREALLY screaming. I suffer with sensory autism issues so this noise level is undermining my mental health. I was assaulted and giving them a smack back only encourages them to come back. 3 yobs aged 13 - 15 attacked me.... The police stated it was a strike in 'self defence; so was lucky this time.... Some boys aged in their teens are quite large these days as well.
I have decided to report the incident of assault..... At first I simply asked them if they would simply stop screaming.
Nobody minds them playing and having a good laugh.... Ot is when it becomes abusive.

Are there extra laws in place for somebody who has issues with noise intolerance due to a mental health condition.

If possible use some noice cancelling ear plugs and listen to music to relax..... They seem to want ANY ATTENTION - good , bad indifferent.... Doesn't matter. Even if police call to their parents house some of them see it as a status thing.
Kevowino 30/01/2023 at 10:45 am
Reading these comments is sickening. My mother lives in a four flat complex and for a while now, youths have gathered in the grounds smoking weed, leaving loads litter, spitting everywhere including inside the hallway at times as they gain entry. My 82 year old mum has to shut her windows as the smell of weed gets into her home. I've been in touch with the police and housing association numerous times. I'm fed up with it. I resorted to writing to my mp and he has contacted the police and housing association to try and get it dealt with. However I'm finding that it's not being taken seriously. It's slow going. If you dealt with it yourself, you can bet your last penny that you would be dealt with instantly.
Anto 09/11/2022 at 5:36 pm
I've recently moved into a property that's situated in a middle sized new estate that has a large number of youngsters living in & around the area.
There is a nice park/play area for kids to play in which they use on a regular basis & it's nice to see them play rather than sit at home all day in the summer on playstations etc.
However!!!
I live on a rat run from the local school so i have a few teenages passing my house between 15.00 & 16.30hrs.
I've built a nice small garden area outside where a path runs past my house that these local morons use.
At first they started scuffing up my golden gravel & stealing a few pebbles dotted around my garden, but it's now esculated into pelting my front door every night with gravel & waiting for me to run out. They bang on my neighbours front door causing their dog to bark constantly for what seems like hours.
They also bang on all the neighbours doors & run off. Play loud music on the park/play area,& bully all the small youngsters who just want to play on the swings & slides, leave litter & damaged the climbing frame by setting fire to the timber bridge walk & the rope which holds it together. Pure stupidity.
I could go on & on but i'm not.
When i've contacted the Police they've done SOD ALL!!
I was told " It's down to you what you do but you'll have to except any repercussions" WHAT!
Not all youths are bad but some are & don't except any resposibility at all.
Tego 30/10/2022 at 12:05 am
FED UP. I am so sorry for you after reading your comment. The problem is the fact that these 'untouchable' cherubs have every 'right' under the Sun go in their favour. They are all gob and intimidating when in a group but if you happened to see one of them on their own they would probably get scared because they do not have the backup of their 'Pack' to make them feel brave and they suddenly lose their tongue as well because their bravado disappears as well. Although your comment was written in 2018 Ido hope that these little yobs have left you alone now.
Tego 29/10/2022 at 11:49 pm
Had this the other night. Three 'hyena' voiced girls decided to sit on the little road island outside our property and use the plastic reflectors as back rests while squealing and shouting. Thought they would clear off after a few minutes but they decided to 'stay there' occasionally shouting at passing drivers. I called the Police and was bombarded with question after question I was shaking as I suffer from severe anxiety I explained the situation and the woman on the phone suggest that I get my husband to have a chat with them I told her 'what and risk having the s**t beaten out of him, no way as we would have ended up being harassed by them and Iwas not letting him take that risk. I wouldn't mind but there is a bench just a few yards along the road but these delightful little cherubs decided that outside our front door was more entertaining. They eventually cleared off over an hour late.
Alarm 30/08/2022 at 12:47 am
I use an alarm and it helped eventually, they got worse, but then started staying away. And fighting with each other girls verses lads instead blaming each other. It's so worrying as they start fires ??.
Gypsey 28/06/2022 at 12:11 am
I have around 3 to 4 youths bash on my front door and windows at night the police don't won't to do anything about them they do scare me and I'm worried they will end up breaking the windows what can I do about them
Fr 30/04/2022 at 9:31 pm
Happening on our road night after night. 17 year olds from a rough estate in town arehanging about in our residential road two.miles away because one is dating a girl here. Now he brings his mates. Playing football booting it like they are playing for Liverpool its going onto peoples gardens at speed, narrowly missing cars and windows. They are running onto the lawns to get the ball. Cycling round and round smoking on their bikes outside peoples houses. Yelling at each other. Called police. Told us 'thats what kids do' and that unless the ball hits a car or breaks a window they wont act and to phone back then'. Police not interested in antisoc8al behaviour. All this is happening at dusk.
StevenHull 18/04/2022 at 8:35 pm
Hey all so we had some trouble with teenagers hanging around near our home realised they was using our open WiFi hotspot so shut it off

I also have a front and back sonic noise device for animals off Amazon that send off a sonic tweet the kids get confused and after a few minutes leave the area it has worked a treat.

Amazon sell them for animals so I would definitely get one can’t really hear it but the kids can lol
Charles 02/03/2022 at 2:12 pm
I’ve started blasting out Classical music / Opera. I find they soon move on as they don’t think it’s very cool and they can’t stand the ‘noise’.
Mustard 09/07/2021 at 10:11 pm
I'm having trouble at the moment with youths outside my house, kicking a football at my car ,next door kids leaving their McDonald's litter on my wall every Friday ,this is what they have for tea.ive complained to the council , the police but to no avail ,so l emailed the mayor ,he passed it on to the local councillor that has been in touch ,let's see how it goes,not holding my breath!!!
Tehrg 07/05/2021 at 6:24 pm
DO NOT listen to this advise as asking them to leave will only cause more trouble plus the police will refuse to help.
Chris 19/04/2021 at 11:00 pm
Teenagers aged 10-19 are doing this stuff on Culfor Rd. Local Police force and Community Policewoman Jane Philipps totally not interested in complaints about kids knocking on doors and windows, pelting stones, pulling up flowers, emptying bins, shouting, swearing and hitting others kids. If your face fits, Jane will get off her arse making some noise to appease you but in reality she couldn’t give a f* all. Totally useless bint as are the police in general.
Ayaan 16/04/2021 at 10:05 pm
I have been contacting police for the past 3 years and nothing has been done. We live in a flat above a takeaway which is also attached to a shop. Every single day kids aged 9-19 both male and female hang around next to our door. They bash the door multiple times a day to the point its broken and I had to put smtn heavy behind the door just to keep it close. They have also thrown stones, dirt, empty bottles at my window like everyday. My poor mother is so traumatised by them as she has asked them to leave kindly but was told to fk off and other racial abuse. We have no idea what to do as it seems some of them even carry knives. The fact that we are the only ones being targeted is very scary for me and my family. My dad works hard and he's not even able to sleep because of these kids. We are running out of options. We do not know what to do anymore. We are in need of serious help. Have been asking police for help for years now.
Empowered Senior Cit 02/04/2021 at 1:56 pm
You can purchase a Teenage anti-social device that will submit sonic sound waves. They don't like it and should move on.
Prophit 20/03/2021 at 3:05 pm
On reading the above messages and what with China and Russia becoming more of a threat are we ready for another war to reset values again?
Caz 31/01/2021 at 5:55 pm
I purchased a house 2yrs ago across from a bus stop. I really did not think this would be a problem.
However, gangs of local kids gather there every night. Smoking, drinking, swearing, shouting, vandalising, leaving a mess etc. In the holidays/weekends they are there playing football (on main 30mph Road) and football is I believe purposely kicked into gardens.
I have involved police and Metro have even taken the seat out of the bus stop.
I have shown police cctv footage of the bus stop being vandalised/ the plastic windows being smashed in the bus stop, the noise, the language etc etc etc.. Although police allegedly spoke to these kids (ages ranging from approx 9yrs to 17yrs)It only stopped when we went into lock down restrictions.. And it's been like heaven.
My concern now is that we will more then likely be coming out off lock down restrictions by the Summer? And they will be back of that I am sure..
Oh and yes I have tried to talk to these kids in the past (I have my Grandchildren on a regular basis) about noise etc and get abuse back..
Next to me is a lady in her 80's who has told me sometimes she scared by the noise/these gangs (which I have also informed the police about) and the other side to me is a man in his late 40's early 50's who does not want to get involved!! (it's only us 3 three really that are affected.)
Any advise from anyone as to what more I can do besides sell up!!
Thank you.
IND 22/11/2020 at 6:35 am
We live in a pretty decent working class area where most properties here are privately owned. Unfortunately for us a few years back a single mum with 3 different kids from all different dads moved in next to us. Firstly the parties started which would be most days of the week. This would affect me and my whole family as music would be on through the night. I have spoken to her but she is just an arrogant individual. For years now the smell of marijuana just takes over our whole house. Drug dealing is blatantly going on and people are coming in and out throughout the day and I’ve witnessed the drug dealing. Yobs have appearing out of nowhere and just hang around outside my house smoking weed and just being a nuisance. A few years back we complained to the council and mysteriously my cars were being keyed up badly so therefore had to install cctv cameras now. It’s just such a stressful situation as I have contacted the council on numerous occasions and even the police but the don’t do sweet f all.
Cristi 12/09/2020 at 6:26 am
there are some teens being way too loud screaming and yelling and playing basketball after 11 pm I wish I knew who to report them to cause I'm trying to sleep ??
Cristi 12/09/2020 at 6:24 am
every single night some teens like to play basketball after 11 pm at night when I'm trying to sleep they are extremely loud i wish I knew who to report this to cause I'm so fed up with their noise ??
Really had enough. 28/07/2020 at 9:25 am
There are three children who live next door. The teenage boy has always been disrespectful. He uses our garden as his thoroughfare to the driveway of where he lives.
We have had to put up a border divider to help stop him doing this, because not only was he going through the garden beds, and scuffing the grass, he was also throwing his rubbish over the fence as he walked along the garden bed. The rubbish consisted of faeces covered tissue, and paper smeared with something smelly. Today, he walked up the driveway in a curve and then out again, and along the grass scuffing as he walked. I have not spoken to him. I would like to speak to his parents, but they work long hours and are not home. He was also getting his friends to loiter out the front. We have installed security cameras, so their actions are recorded.
His behaviour is seriously disrespectful, and he has always behaved like this since the family moved there. His younger sister has taught their dog to bark at me when I hang out the laundry. So, we have a clothes dryer now. Poor dog being taught something like that. The teenager's brother who is only about 6, is sent out to run over the garden. Watched him do that twice.
Have noticed now that we are in our late 50's, there is much disrespect from young people. We are not scared, just disgusted. There are no consequences for bad behaviour, that is why children behave like this. It is bad parenting. There seems to be no consequence for bad behaviours anywhere. In the past we have always had to be the ones to move house to get away from bad anti social neighbours. Have really had enough. Have had to install roller shutters because of attempted break ins. Says a lot about society doesn't it. Trash.
Nono 12/07/2020 at 8:29 pm
I have the same problem I live in an end flat and a large group of youths meet there every night now ...they play football...and laugh and talk very loudly , Inverurie evening last night had a BBQ and all the smoke was coming into our living room ...we can’t use our gardens now or leave our doors and windows open ...it’s very very stressful when it’s every day ..my husband and I are pensioners, and I have 2 disabled adult children ...it’s not fair on them
Neen 20/06/2020 at 12:06 am
I live next to a park which is nice for dog walking as I have 2 so it’s great.
The noise up to midnight every evening in the summer is Really bad !!!
The noise is so bad it gets my dogs barking every evening as it’s so loud.
I understand they have no where to go this is very sad.
I have called the council and they have no funding to shut the gates at ten pm and suggested that I could be a key holder, having MS I do not wish to become one for fear of them knocking on my door .
We have called the police to no avail several times even when they are shooting up drugs and leaving needles too .
Terrible times for all .
SickandTired 15/11/2019 at 6:13 pm
I live opposite a park and groups of teenagers gather there pretty much every night. They play loud music and scream and shout. Recently they’ve only been directly outside my house, and it’s all I can hear all the time. There’s constantly stuff going on such as broken beer bottles over the park, which my dog cut his paw on whilst we were taking him for a walk the next day. Always litter over there and they constantly set the park on fire. Our bin has been stolen twice and we’ve found it burnt out over the park. I honestly can’t take it anymore, I’ve contacted the police who told me to contact the council. Contacted the council who told me to contact the police. Me and my partner are saving to purchase a new property, but that could take years. I don’t know what to do anymore, it causes me and my partner to argue and is making me very depressed.
kerosene lamp b'lon 12/10/2019 at 3:14 pm
So, do kids just want a place to hang out? Okay fine, let them hang out at a place of their choosing and let them conduct themselves in a decent and respectable fashion. I cannot see anyone having a problem with that. Perhaps this actually happens somewhere, but the reality is that most kids do not hang out without behaving antisocially. Instead of being members of polite society and respecting their fellow man and woman, they choose to eschew any shred of basic decency and resort to vile and toxic antisocial acts. I cannot claim to have been an angel when I was a teenager and yes, I dabbled in regretable acts of moronism. However, the worst of these acts took place on wasteland, away from people and their properties. Back on the streets, the occasional 'knock down ginger' was played, some doors were 'egged' once or twice and windows pelted with soft berries at night. Occasionally, my friends and I were threatened by annoyed neighbours with a dowsing of water, a clip round the ear, or a call to the police and this deterred us to some extent and certainly ensured the same person was never targetted by us for more than twice in the same year. Beyond these silly, antisocial acts my friends and I went fishing, boating, to the cinema, to friends houses for computer gaming or watching TV, walking to woodlands or the countryside, camping, skating on frozen ponds (usually unsuccessfully), lighting small fires, flying kites, running, trespassing on building sites etc. etc. What I am trying to get at,
is that we were basically harmless, engaging for the most part in healthy activities and never endangering peoples lives, nor really blighting them to the extent that continuous aggravation might have on the same person or persons in their property. We had the imagination to explore. We were also, and this is very important, absolutely and never violent to anyone, not even among ourselves. Perhaps our actions were because we were from a time (late 1970s/early 1980s) when strict parenting and proper policing meant something and could effectively control our actions and mindset. A threat to get the police involved, or even your mother and father discouraged any further antisocial activity. Fast forward to today and things are very different.

For the things I did in my youth, even though I would say that they were not that bad in the grand scheme of things, karma seems to have dealt me a hefty poke in the eye. Over many years, going back to the early 2000s, I found myself besieged by small to large groups of youths, using the sheltered area and stairwell beneath my property to litter, spit, urinate, play music, play football, shout, fight, vandalise, commit arson, smoke weed, deal in drugs etc. I can now empathize with those who suffered the receiving end of my few antisocial activities. The actions of these youths throughout the years slowly turned me into a nervous wreck and plunged me into a deep depression. The inaction of the local council and rel
I’m new 12/07/2019 at 11:42 pm
I just moved into a new house right next to a bus stop. Every night a group of teenagers, presumably drunk, congregate there and shout and scream, alarming my dog and prevents me from sleep. I live on a private road but I still find cigarette boxes and litter on my drive and I assume my neighbours are having the same problem with these people. Does anyone know what to do? Am I allowed to call the police? Thanks in advance.
Ljn 15/04/2019 at 8:51 pm
This past month we have a group of youths hanging out directly under our flat window. I wouldn’t mind but they play music out of a speaker really loudly and it travels up to my flat so I can’t even drown the noise out with my tv. They smoke weed, leave rubbish. The council & police haven’t done anything. They both say it’s the other ones responsibility to act on it.
I’ve got really bad anxiety and when my husband is at work I struggle to sleep, or even just take my dog for a walk because they are there.
AJP 06/04/2019 at 12:25 pm
I am having problems with a group of youths congregating in the communal areas of my flat. Smoking, doing drugs, making loud noise. I asked them to leave and now I feel as though they have made it there goal to target me.
Yesterday night they were shining laser pointers through my window and spat all over the staircase to my flat. They are stubbing out cigarrettes on the carpet floor.
I called local police twice and they said not much they can do, they will try and pass by. Called 999 when they were outside my door, tresspassing and doing drugs inside but the police did not come.
Really do not know what to do
Fedup19 19/03/2019 at 9:13 pm
I live in a salix home house and the son of a man is always outside with all his mates till stupid times at night, being loud throwing things at windows, coming in my garden, I rang the police but because I couldn't give names they didnt do anything .
I feel let down as I'm a single mum with anxiety and depression and no family around, I can't talk to anyone on the road as everyone knows everyone and I dont want anything coming back on me and my kids as my daughter goes to school with one or two of them. I need help lots making me so ill and worried every night
Rt 05/01/2019 at 1:42 pm
Gangs keep gathering outside my home and in the past I have engaged with them to keep the noise down or move along. This hasn’t worked and now they are becoming increasingly aggressive towards myself and my neighbours. Police have been made aware but have been little or no help. What should I do? We are at wits end.
Anon 08/08/2018 at 6:31 pm
"Fedup Too", I do sympathise, I fully appreciate the misery - in the same boat myself. Sadly this behaviour is a reflection of our time. I hope that these "brats" get bored and decide to move on. I don't know if it would help to get out to a library during the day? Possibly volunteering to get you our of the house? It is difficult, I have the same thing to deal with and it wears you down. No you are not over reacting - you have every right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of your property.
The other thought I had might be to have a friendly chat with them if you feel able to approach them, during day light hours? Have a chat with neighbours, gain some support, don't feel alone, there is so much you can do, try not to feel alone!
I really hope things improve for you.- take care and chat to neighbours/family!
FEDUP TOO 18/07/2018 at 8:55 pm
Interesting reading other peoples issues. That time of year again which I dread with higher anxiety.
I still live in my end bungalow after 5years.
Yesterday a little so and so was jumping up and down on my garden wall which is full of nice flowers. I knocked hard on the window, he turned, saw me and got down.
Tonight about 7pm I heard faint tapping from my living room window and went to look through the blinds, 3 kids had decided to use my window to play on.
I again knocked angrily this time and they saw me and left with their scooters.
I am sick of getting so angry an then I cry that I allow them to make me anxious. I have been on a low dosage of antidepressant but I don't like using them an they're not helping much. I can;t get a job so I am in a lot. I am dreading the next 6 weeks when they're all off.
The council built a park within walking distance for the kids last year where they do use a lot but still get the few who like to terrorise us.
Why can't they play in their own garden and not using the ledge underneath my window??
The council do sod all. 'Unless I know who they are etc...'
The police do what they can but they cannot solve everything.
I like my bungalow and the area in general but the kids drive me to despair where I wish I could again move but have no money to do so.
I have the few times a month where I house sit for family when they use the caravan so I get some respite from the kids but why must they be so unreasonable?
Other older people in my area also get trouble like door knocking, climbing over their gardens etc. I really do not know what to, over reacting maybe, but this IS MY HOME, go an play in your own gardens.
Aeraena 10/07/2018 at 8:43 pm
Since me and my partner moved into the house we currently live in a group of neighbourhood kids have always hung out outside our house. For the most part they never really bothered us, however recently they have started to target our house. It started with them throwing eggs and water balloons at the windows and door. They have also caused damage to the drainage attached to our house, we had to get a specialist out to get it fixed. They have started to bang and knock on the windows whenever our cats are sat on them and started knocking on the door to wind our dog up. This is really distressing for 2 of my cats in particular as they had a very bad start in life and have developed really anxiety issues. I myself have anxiety, paranoia and other health issues and my partner is disabled. Today, as my partner and I was watching tv, one of them has just ran past my house and threw open my front door. Normally we keep it locked however I had forgotten to lock it today. I don't know what to do as they are only between the ages of about 5 years old and 13 years old. My partner and are afraid to leave to our house in fear that they might do something to it. We tape the letterbox up on a night before we go to bed in case they try to put anything threw it. I'm started to feel less and less safe in my own.
ProblemNeighbours Editor 18/06/2018 at 9:19 am
What did the police say/do? Can you tell us whether you have talked to your local community policing team about this? Have you followed the advice in the above article?
Bagel 17/06/2018 at 2:36 am
For the last month and a half I have had several youths and on some occasions large groups of youths congregating in the communal areas of where my flat is. Even as I type this message, they are sat outside, making a racket. This has been going on for awhile, the police have been called on numerous occasions. They are sat outside til 3-4am. They are incredibly loud, smoking weed (the smell wafts up to my window, as it is summer, it’s too warm to close my bedroom window), playing music and generally being a pest. At one point they were playing football in the early hours of the morning. I have tried speaking to them, this resulted in them threatening to kick a ball through my window. I am so fed up and knackered in the morning due to the lack of sleep!
ProblemNeighbours Editor 08/06/2018 at 2:12 pm
Do the teenage boys belong to a household from the private road? What sort of nuisance? Sorry there's not really much information to go on here.
lozza 06/06/2018 at 9:51 pm
We share a private road with 3 other properties all of whom we get on very well with. Just recently a group of young teenage boys have been using our road to ride their bikes on and generally be a nuisance. When asked to leave they answered back and said their dad said they can do what they want. They are becoming a real pain. Where do we stand on this? Thanks
Lil37 14/05/2018 at 12:15 am
I have a problem with people young people and teenagers hanging outside during spring and summer months they hang outside my flat because there is a Indian take away below me. Its the delivery people and staff they employ causing the nuisance. Its like this from 4.30pm til 12am 6 nights a week Tuesday to Sunday I've now got the council involved because its effecting my health a lot more I'm disabled and have mental health problems. This has been going a lot worse during warm weather. The manager in the take away can't seem to control his staff or tell the staff and delivery drivers to be quieter. They consent bang doors shout yell scream for many hours and one couple who is there let's their child out of her push chair and let her walk into the road where there are cars tractors lorrys buses are its near a main road where i live an resdental area and a park is only five min walk away from mine there was a delivery driver who almost hit the little girl she the driver was delivery food and the driver almost went and hit the little girl with her car. The both parents where both howling with laughter I reported this immediately to the council and I have wrote down the times days this has been happening its nothing but anti social behaviour. They are two lots of groups teenagers and young adults doing this. I'm at my wits end with this all the take away staff and delivery people dont seem to care. I feel like im on my own with this but the council did say they will be in touch with me in about ten days
Had enough 31/03/2018 at 8:53 am
My house is being targeted by a group of 3 kids under 10 and two teenage girls with constant knock a door run and if we open the door to confront them we called all sorts of names under the sun and other sorts of rubbish due to me being foreign. This all started when we called out one of the under 10s for stealing my kid's toys and the issue the teenage girls have with us is that we called the police on the neighbor that lives behind us when he was beating up his partner last year and the girls know him. If we could afford it we'd move to a better neighborhood but unfortunately we can't and we don't know what else to do.
dibs 14/10/2017 at 9:56 pm
4 houses were bought by a private landlord and an organisation in line with NHS house young people with mental health issues. One of the houses is made into flats and homes people with more independent living. This has been fine for years but suddenly some new residents have moved in. They have had a very bad effect on the other residents. Now they congregate in the front gardens and run backward and forwards between the properties shouting, standing on the walls. It feels very intimidating. There are staff there but they don't sort it out. Should we have to put up with this? Who will listen?
Concerned resident 11/10/2017 at 12:51 am
It's a long story & I will try & cut it short. A abusive problem neighbour has finally been evicted from the property next door to me. The problem is every night her children come back to the property with their mates staring through my kitchen window. Chucking things & congregating around the side entrence and back yard. I have told the landlord but it still happening every night. The police send a car to patrol but always about 3 hours after incident. I am so fed up of this family. Is there anything else I can do?
ProblemNeighbours Editor 30/05/2017 at 2:02 pm
Maybe the other person is frightened to be seen moving the bench back. If you don't feel as though you're getting any help from local police or from your landlord/management company, try contacting your local councillor or MP, they usually know who to contact and how to get things done. Citizens' Advice also often has contact numbers for local authority figures who can help.
Anthony21 28/05/2017 at 6:13 am
youths stole our bench from our communal garden to take around to the other side of the building (there are 2 small rows of villas each house 8 studios however many are vacant so theres only a handful of tenants) these youths use the bench to sit on to take drugs and deal drugs and make noise till all hours and litter the place. The side they sit on is hidden behind loads of foliage and plants so neighbour said we should cut down the foliage so they the youths can be seen from the street. He put off cutting down the foliage so i spent the while evening doing it myself. After i cut down a lot of it i said to neigbour lets move the bench into the locked shed, (he is a huge very strong guy )if theres no bench they cant sit there! My neighbour keeps putting off moving the bench now too? I can't understand it as it would take between the pair of us a matter of seconds? Why complaing about the issue when he wants the bench moved yet won't do anything or even phone anyone from the council or coos anonymously?Its like i am the only one who ever ends up doing stuff to try to help. I phoned mobile patrol who just laughed and hang up the phone, they do not give a damn. The Council are aware buy won't do anything. My disabled old neighbour is scared of them as they intimidate him when he used to sit outside in his part of the garden. The youths also dump mopeds in the garden. He won't call police or anyone either. I tried to ring 101 number the other day for over an hour and still could not get through and tried ringing camden safer neighbourhood police, the phone rings then cuts off! At a loss what to do as its weekend and bank holiday tomorrow and then half term so the youths will be there every day! Im not strong enough to move bench alone and the guy who wants it moved is really the only tenant who can help (other tenant is dusbked and the other lady is in get 90s.
Chazabella 24/05/2017 at 9:27 pm
Hi, I am renting a property and have been for almost a year and every day we have ever issues with lads smoking weed, littering making a racket fighting with Base ball bat's outside my front door they also lean on my window and door. We have asked them to move politely a number of time this hasn't worked, we have set up cctv with a significant sign and they know it is their. Our front door leads straight on to the road however they are now stopping my partner from entering the front door as they just stand leaning against it and will not move. The police are aware but have done nothing, we are going out of our mind with what we can do we have looked into anti vandal paint for the window ledge but there are kids that play outside
fedup 01/04/2017 at 10:18 pm
Thanks I asked northumberland council twice for a fence and they said no, I can get one but what was the point of asking??
It looks as if Hawthorne is the only way to solve it as it can grow high and if it is planted right might work just have to wait until we get some.
I am house sitting at the moment where there are more traffic than kids which is better for me think I would love to move my bungalow elsewhere!
Funny how whenever you ask for help from your local housing authority all you get is 'no' so long as they get the rent money.
Yet again, roll on September as we have the two week easter break coming up soon, unless it rains every day so will the kids be out and terroising the area.
ProblemNeighbours Editor 27/03/2017 at 12:47 pm
We hope that you manage to get something sorted out and that you find someone who can support you in persuading the youths to move someone else. Do try and speak to a local councillor or your PCSO for some support.
fedup 25/03/2017 at 10:35 pm
Hi in view to your reply, I have roses and other plants on the garden but there is no soil for the area where the kids sit on my wall. I asked twice to Northumberland council to put up a simple fence but the answer is always a flat no. They said I am able to put one up myself but I wouldn't have asked them to do it as I am out of work and cannot afford to do so.
Today for example, the first nice day and a few kids girls from ages 4 upwards like to lean on the wall and fill small boxes with my tree bark and god knows what else from the garden. I am easily agitated but its a waste of time telling them to go away as they come back. I am looking into anti vandal pain (black paint that never dries) and with signs up this might work so long as I don't get blamed for the kids who fail to notice the big yellow signs if they get their clothes dirty. All I can do is monitor them and take photos (which I don't like to do). I am right in all our council want from you is the rent money they're very picky at offering to help with anything else! All I can also say is roll on September as after the clocks change tonight I hate the lighter nights as by not able to get a job I notice things more like the kids being out longer and I am no able to move as that isn't cheap. Somethings in life aren't fair anymore.
ProblemNeighbours Editor 13/03/2017 at 2:16 pm
Do you have space outside under your window where you could grow some "prickly" shrubs like pyracantha etc? This would prevent the children from getting too close and also from kicking their ball against your wall. Speak with your local council (if they have an amenities or youth development officer try them) and also your local police community support officer if you have one.
Fedup 10/03/2017 at 6:22 pm
Hi I live in a bungalow on the end and from Nov its been lovely as during the winter kids are hardly out I loathe Sumner nights, unfortunately I just went to close my living room blinds and as usual a girl was hitting the plastic PVC below window with a stick then ran off with mate (about 6yrs) I get kids leaning on my wall picking at MY plants and using the wall to play on I live in a reasonably good area but the bungalows have council houses around with families who have a lot of kids. I am looking for work and I house sit at my dads so I try not to be in but my anxiety goes right up when kids start messing about. I call the police after a while but I really don't like this time of the year! Can it be winter again so the kids stay in?!!
James 27/02/2017 at 7:20 pm
We recently moved into a property, only to find that we have no end of chavs turning up outside of our property smoking weed, littering, causing disterbance (throwing stones etc) they also come up onto our roof terrace and climb over the roofs of the shops (we live in a flat on top of a shop), the police do absolutley nothing and have been called many times, most of which they dont even bother turning up.
ProblemNeighbours Editor 21/11/2016 at 10:27 am
Can you adapt the terms/conditions of the youth club committee so that others cannot be copied on matters concerning internal affairs?
Patienceofasaint 18/11/2016 at 3:29 am
I forgot to add that the police agree with us and recognised many big time drug dealers in the photos. These guys do not even live on the estate, some do not even live in London they are just using our homes as a place to deal drugs. I wondered if a legal letter could stop the chair of the resident's association from including them in email discussions, inviting them to meetings. In case you are interested- she is against CCTV because she is an old hippie. She says someday the fascists will take over the government and they will use the CCTV to round up people.

Taking photos is really effective but you must not let the drug dealers know that you are doing it. We got a secret camera and we were really careful.
Patienceofasaint 18/11/2016 at 3:16 am
I live on an estate and helped to start the youth club 16 years ago. I try to be friendly to young people who hang out near my house. Recently a serious drug problem has developed with Class A drug dealing and gang activity. We took secret photos and kept a log. We sent info to the police and the gangs unit. 13 drug dealers have now been banned from the estate and we now have CCTV BUT the chair of the tenants association is not happy. She says there is no proof and is trying to get the CCTV removed. She has made official complaints about the CCTV and has now invited the drug dealers to resident association meetings and said she will help them to get a grant to work with young people ! She won't believe they are drug dealers. I had to work secretly behind the scenes to get this stopped because anything I told her she told the drug dealers. We feel she is putting our (the other people on the residents association) lives at risk. We want to kick her out at the next AGM but she won't call a meeting. She keeps copying the gang members into emails (they are not on the committee) We have asked her not to but she continues. Is there anything we can do to stop her inviting gang members to meetings ??
James Gaskell 10/11/2016 at 8:35 pm
I'm struggling to cope with some teenagers who are constantly shouting and swearing outside my home at all hours. I've tried to reason with them on a number of occasions in a civil and reasonable manner, but it appears to have only made matters worse. For example, today I was resting at home and heard a male teenager shouting at his girlfriend who was swearing back at him. I went outside and asked them to please not shout and swear as it was anti-social behaviour. They said they could do and say whatever they liked (it's a free country) and told me to where to go. I was upset by this and called the police who were completely not interested in checking this situation out. They did not even come out to my home to check if I was ok or whether the situation had been resolved. I would not mind if the teenagers did this in their own homes, but it's always appears to be around my home (???). As for the police, I wish I could deduct some council tax from their budgets everytime they ignore my requests for help.
Azam 10/11/2016 at 5:37 pm
Hello....I am terribly confused how to tackle this matter,it's become more than a headache and because of this issue is can't even focus on my studies,and group of people about 6 or 8 members everytime sit in front of my home,and whistle,play song in there mobiles as if that was there like bedroom, they all are of different ages some are married and having kids,and also youths as well,please advise me...thank you
housepark 10/09/2016 at 7:38 pm
My house backs onto a large public park. Later in the evening and sometimes throughout the day kids will loiter under the tree's directly behind my fence. The trees and branches form a very cool and natural tree alcove. The problem is that I have a low cattle fence and as they sit 3-4 feet from my backyard fence it's very intrusive. Particularly because they can see in my home and I have a 3 and 5yr old who like to play but become uncomfortable. These "Kids" are generally old enough to know better (teenagers). should I just call th cops over and over until they get the hint? We've spoken to them directly but they don't seem to care.
ProblemNeighbours Editor 23/08/2016 at 2:38 pm
Unfortunately unless you can resolve this yourself, you will have to use the polcie of the council so there's no easy way to prevent this being recorded.
Exhausted 20/08/2016 at 8:23 pm
I have a similar problem to Sparkels, with kids aged between 9 and 14 causing a massive nuisance with yelling, and screaming, constant footballs that damage cars and plants and the noise when the metal play equipment is used as a target is horrendous.my steel front door has a dent in it from when they were throwing golf balls.

Railings are deliberately broken, trees deliberately damaged. I am trying to sell my house and buyers have been put off by the behaviour. It is literally making me ill. The Council does nothing. Good advice going to the Community Police, but this then has to be declared if I do find a buyer so I am at my wits' end. Any advice?
Anne 03/08/2016 at 12:38 am
Well, it would seem that gangs of teenagers run riot. Their intent is to intimidate the locals. The police do nothing. What do you suggest now?
Evie 30/07/2016 at 7:11 pm
We live in a cul-de-sac and a car park for residents with green area, over the last 6 weeks we have had a gang of youths/ ages ranging from 17-20's White and black and it is known by all residents that they are using drugs with cars coming up to them and obviously are dealing the drugs to them, they stand around until early hours of the morning talking loudly and obviously taking drugs and smoking dope, we have contacted Hillingdon council who more or less said it isn't there problem we have to ring the police, which a neighbour did on two separate occasions when they arrive the youths run away .., guilty as hell why would they run away if not? The litter they leave in the car park and on the road is horrendous plastic bottles, cans of drink, empty canisters- from inhaling, balloons, junk food wrappers and small plastic bags, we have had someone come round last week to clear up, this was the first time for months, we rang the police last night not 999 but did they come out NO they didn't.
JohnLucas 15/07/2016 at 6:52 pm
Where I live there is a road in front of my house where kids around the age of 10 like to play and sit on the road, they will lay in the middle of the road and cause cars too slow up for them. Thankfully they don't do anything to hurt anyone they are just irritating and annoying.
ProblemNeighbours Editor 29/06/2016 at 11:25 am
You sound as though you're from the USA and we can only advise on UK matters as our laws differ slightly to yours. Good luck in sorting this outl
philly fedup mom 28/06/2016 at 1:23 am
I live in a 5 bedroom house which takes over the entire corner. Children play basketball right in front of my house and other people and myself parks there. The problem is when they throw the ball it hit and broke my basement window twice, they hit my car and someone else car and broke there window and then run and leave the scene. I tried to speak to them but the things that come out of there mouth is ridicoulous, then I spoke to the mom, whose mouth and attitude is worst then the kids. They leave trash on the sidewalk, I had to ask the maint. guy to put a lock on the outside outlet because people were plugging in there phones without permission. How do you expect the kids to respect you if the parents don't. They have three parks sorrounding us to go play basketball, football, etc. and I said this to them constantly. I am not poor and I am not rich, but it seem to me that people in a neighborhood of less than a handfull of people that work, always will have that type of attitude. If you are poor and think that you can't get any where, then you will stay that way, if you know you can do better, then you will, but don't bring people down because they got there and you didn't.
hatesummernights 23/06/2016 at 9:07 pm
me again. its nearly 9pm and little kids are using end of my wall to sit on and pick plants out of the garden to throw at each other. I generally close my blinds but look through the keyhole on front door to see if anything is happening. I wear wireless headphones so thankfully get by.
I hate having to have kids sit on my wall. This lot are quite young aged 4 upwards and in my eyes, should be at home this time of the night even if it is a summer evening.
I used to be in by 9pm as school hasn't closed yet so they should be indoors by 9pm or am I being too old fashioned?
I wish I worked night shift so I wouldn't have this issue and really wish I could move but cannot afford too being on benefits. I try to keep myself busy but every now and then when I see kids messing about my front garden it does p*** me off as why cant they go and play in their own garden???
Anyone else get this during the summer night?
Roll on September as I find it gets too hot for me anyway by 11am.
Distraught 19/05/2016 at 9:42 am
Well, ours is a rural one .... the house below our dirt track (which we own) is owned by an elderly woman and her daughter. Years ago my partner was friendly with them but when my partners wife broke her back helping with their horse in an accident we backed off. Since then these people spread rumour and gossip over 10 years. My partner had about a year out of the house and they cut all our willow trees without consent so they could see who was coming over our field to the top. The elderly woman now reports what little she sees. Sound petty? afraid it isn't. We placed a sign on our gate because of walkers, please shut the gate, this was ripped off. Recently we segregated a couple of lambs from their mothers for medical reasons - a note when on our door and it was reported. We have rare-breed tamworth pigs and this was reported. Each time the inspector coming has approved how we keep our animals. If we cut a tree (not listed) its reported. If we have a white bonfire its reported. So far we havn't involved solicitors nor the police... we have kept correspondence stating that we are being harrassed and our private life interfered with. We have not retaliated other than to claim further harrassment. This is just a hint of whats happened and are at our wits end... please don't say mediation - these two are way beyond that.
KATIEJ 26/04/2016 at 9:12 pm
Hello, and I thought I had it bad. I live in a bungalow yes, for a 34 year old I actually got one offered but after moving in I realised nobody wanted it probably because of the horrible kids/teenagers. I live on a row of 3, mine being on the end next to a small car park, and there are council houses around. It isn't as bad as it was but lately there are kids/teenagers (they generally mix together) who have used my front garden to use to play water pistol fights and sit on my wall close to the living room window which I HATE. I have given up asking them to move as they seem to do what they like, kicking a football against mine and my neighbours front wall which adds to the noise. I hate the spring and summer days as they generally do what they like and wish I had looked into the area more before moving.
Nothing wrong with the bungalow itself but it is a target for unruly kids. I am unemployed so when my dad and stepmum stay at their caravan I jump at the chance to house sit as by not working means I am in a lot.
My anxiety is the main issue too but I am trying not to let these snotty kids bother me as I can always move if necessary but that comes with a cost...I am sympathetic for those who have far worse than me but it seems like a horrible place I live when the shouting and screaming starts and no parent or adult seems to tell them off either.
BAN THE FOOTBALL AND WHY CANT OUR COUNCIL PUT UP A ELECTRIFIED FENCE AROUND??? Wishful thinking. Sigh.
K 17/01/2016 at 6:06 am
my neighbor passed a letter from door stating its from admin and mentioned that they heard heated arguments and in the envelop had condom packet, we never fight , now how can i give them a reply back. there are 3 neighbors near my unit, and i dont knw who did this.
ProblemNeighbours Editor 23/09/2015 at 10:43 am
Your local police community support officer might be able to assist. They have powers to act under the AntiSocial Behaviour Act
bertie 17/09/2015 at 3:22 pm
I live at the end of a row of cottages and there is a pathway that runs down the side of my property to which my neighbours have 14" access to the rear of their properties. There are three gates on the pathway one at the front of the property, one at the rear of the property and one onto my garden. We have recently acquired a puppy and prior to him arriving I fixed signs onto the gates politely requesting that the gates to be closed. This afternoon I was out in the garden with my puppy and my neighbour left the gates open, I was unaware at the time that he was off loading some paving from his vehicle and closed the gates. A few minutes later I heard a loud bang on the front gate and I found my neighbour ramming the gate with a trolley, the gate bounced open and he proceeded to do the same with the rear gate. I rushed outside and requested that he did not damage the gates by ramming the trolley against the gates, his response to this was to give me the V sign and then he continued to ram the trolley against the gate. The rear gate is a heavy metal security gate and he deliberately swung the gate hard against the brick wall of my property. I am unsure as to how to tackle this person as this man and his late wife physically and verbally abused my late parents who lived here previously. My parents were terrorised by this couple for many years and I do not wish this to re-establish itself. My parents kept all the solicitors letters and evidence and passed this on to myself. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
M/CR 26/08/2015 at 11:03 pm
I have no issues with local teenagers hanging out on the road where I live. Most are pleasant, respectful and easy going. I empathise that there isn't much to do for them and recognise they enjoy mixing with their friends. However, my mum is very elderly and disabled. She needs to sleep at night and noise can often disturb her. I am glad youths have their best years ahead of them. I've seen youth myself in my (hopefully) not too distant past. I like to think teenagers and older ones can appreciate mutual respect and there is a right balance to be struck so that co-existence and mum's sleep can been maintained peacefully! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ProblemNeighbours Editor 25/08/2015 at 2:01 pm
Noise is often a council issue, however antisocial behaviour is usually a police issue. Maybe that's the angle to use next time.
blightyme 23/08/2015 at 10:00 am
This needs updating. I phoned the police at 1.30am this morning as there was a bunch of young adults hanging outside a pub opposite our house last night, and have been there the last 3 weekends on the trot, waking us all up.
The police on the phone told me noise is a council issue, not a police issue unless they are doing something criminal.. I couldn't believe it as before the council have told me all noise outside a pub and on the street is a police issue. Besides, I doubt the council have the power to move a bunch of kids in the middle of the night, let alone the staff around to do it.
Seems causing a disturbance is no longer an offence. I do wonder now why we pay our taxes to the police, seems to be more and more they wash their hands off.
Kimmy 30/07/2015 at 8:33 am
yeah I live in a duplex and my neighbors are ignorant and need to be kicked out of their side because they have no respect for their neighbors I have had to call the police on them on 4 separate occasions when they want to go playing their so called music so loud all of the city can hear them at after 11 which is when the noise ordinance kicks in and goes until 7 am and im sure by now they have had plenty of tickets for it plus they have a child over there and I know they smoke weed over there because when I open my basement door or go up the stairs of my house I can smell it on my side as well and I don't need my 3 and a half year old kid inhaling that stuff because then he will wind up wanting to smoke it or he will get very very sick and believe me they would be paying my kids hospital bill for causing it they want to blow out ear drums let them blow out their own ear drums and invest in a set of headphones for everyone in that house.
Poppy 27/03/2015 at 8:51 pm
The old in this country are jealous of youth and the parents with the younger children will know how it feels when their children grow up to become teenagers and how they are not accepted in their society, just because they are a teenagers.

I love teenagers as I am not a negative, hateful person and I am proud of that.
Poppy 27/03/2015 at 8:43 pm
I feel really sorry for teenagers in the uk. They have no where to go, most adults hate them, their clothes, their music. Yet we forget we were teenagers once. I have a spiteful woman next door to me who hates teenagers, she constantly lies and rings the police about them all the time to get them in trouble. She does not work and has nothing better to do but report anyone and everyone. Teenagers don't do things to upset people, they are just not so aware of their surroundings as they are so worked up about themselves, how they look to their peers. When I am out and about, I am polite to them and they are then polite back. If you give dirty looks to them, shout at them and look for trouble, then that is when they give disfunctional adults problems. I do not mind teenagers in big groups hanging on my street corners, as long as they are being good. If a large group of grannies were hanging around a street corner, no one would mind, would they?
LondonBoy 26/09/2013 at 8:40 pm
I admire your optimism and I think there's some good advice here, which I am grateful for. However I think a large part of the problem is the lack of responsibility or accountability from several parties: the respective parents, the council and the police. For instance, if you ring the police you're treated like it doesn't matter. What then makes it doubly worse is having local police stations closed to public of come the afternoon, evening and weekend. But I do agree with the initial firm but fair approach - the people sitting on the wall are human, and they may not be aware of the stress they can cause others. If the worst comes to the worst, then at least you tried all reasonable avenues of redress. Beyond point however, I do not see why one should appease them. They are not our responsibility. In this regard I have next to no faith left in the police or the council to follow their duties to the letter. It seems the only thing these parties care about is anything they may deem negative publicity. Sad yes, but after seeing this very problem reported for years on – with no suitable action taken – my only recourse is the ability of householders to upload content to video hosting sites. Many of those people have reached their end. Take care.
LondonBoy 26/09/2013 at 8:33 pm
I admire your optimism and I think there's some good advice here, which I am grateful for.

However I think a large problem is that basically the lack of responsibility or accountability from several parties: the respective parents; the council and the police. For instance if you ring the police you're treated like it doesn't matter. What makes it doubly worse if having local police stations closed to public of an afternoon, evening and weekend. But I agree with the firm initial but fair approach; the people sitting on the wall are human, and they may not be sitting there intentionally. We all grow up learning lessons. Worst comes to the worst, at least you tried.. at least you exhausted all reasonable avenues of redress. Beyond this I do not see why one should parent other people's off-spring, or appear to appease them.

There comes a point in their life where they have to be held accountable for their actions and I'm afraid to say, I have next to zero faith in the police, the council to follow their duties to the letter. Seems the only thing they will respond to is what they might deem as negative publicity. Sad yes, but after seeing this very problem go on for years on end I'm just glad householders now have access to video hosting sites. Many of those people have reached their end. Take care.
Red1 14/08/2012 at 5:45 pm
Easy one this one.....Should you get a group of kids using your area as a hang out - rig up a couple of speakers & constantly play Val doonican, Des Oconnor, Folk music, etc etc. They dont stay around for long.....!

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