General Chat

Told a lad off for going in my garden and collecting a football.

Second lad did it

And then a third.

After a few exchanges of swear words they have threatened to kick my windows in.

Funny how they think they can just trespass when they want.

Had something similar said to me.
I thanked them for the warning, got the phone and in front of them, pretended to call the police.

They soon scarpered!

Another thing to do after thanking them, instead of pretending to call the police, is to say 'You live in 'x' road don't you' - more often than not, he - or a helpful friend, will reply, 'No, 'y' road'.
You then thank them and infrom them that if your windows are broken, the police will know where to go!!

Typical that the CCTV just down the road was looking the wrong way.

My neighbour did also go out to them but they do not seem to pick on the men

I recommend taking out your camera or cell phone and aiming at them and snapping.

I've had this work myself. Some passing yobs smashed a beer bottle in my driveway. I got in my car, followed them and caught up to them three blocks away at a main intersection, and rolled down my passenger window and threw the broken glass at them. (Okay, not very socially conscious, but I was madder than ...) They postured threateningly and started toward my car. I picked up the polaroid camera I'd grabbed before coming (this was the old days ) -- no film left, but the flash battery still worked. Pressed the button and flashed. And they backed off mighty quick.

In your case you could take an actual photo when these things happen, and then if they do carry out their threats, you have a photo of the usual suspects. ;)

Years ago while I was at work, some lads were riding bikes in my driveway and crashing them into my wooden garage doors. My elderly, male, mild mannered neighbour told them to get off the drive as they were trespassing. They all did, except 1 who refused, so my neighbour turned the bike handlebars and pushed the bike onto the pavement with him on it and he then rode off to his friends up the road shouting the usual obscenities. Later that evening my neighbour got a visit from the police and was cautionned as the lad had told some tale to his parents about being pushed by my neighbour!!! A camera is a good idea and better for your own safety.

Pity the days are gone when a policeman did a regular round on his bike - he knew who we were and our parents, so we had to behave!
Liz

Have to agree, a camera is a good resource!
A friend and I were on the New Forest today and saw some ponies had been 'spooked' - then another one.
I saw 3 lads deliberately scaring them - not a good idea at the best of times, but there were also foals, dogs, people and children about.
I stood up, made myself very obvious and watched to see if one of the ponies would kick the morons, but none did.
Then I got my camera, and deliberately pointed it in their direction.
It's not a good camera and even if I'd taken a photo on the highest magnification, they couldn't be identified - but they didn't know that.

I stood there until they noticed me - then they ran off, so I followed them with my camera - as if I was doing a video.

Unfortunately, the scared ponies came over to me & my friend for safety!!
(I don't like ponies too much) - but they behaved impeccably.