Village bully

[nfhhenry]

How best to deal with a bully? Neighbour published an article last year in local paper detailing our boundary dispute that 'we' won, they have now photocopied it, highlighted our names & the word squatters and posted it around our cul-de-sac & nearest road. I have previously reported her for harrassment twice but as yet the police have not even visited her. This might seem trivial but is causing me & my family great distress, it doesn't feel like we won!

[tamborine]

Surely police should intervene under 'disturbing the peace'? Take photos of evidence & sue neighbor for slander.

[KRUSTYMAN]

Take photographs of the offensive posters and their location and get in touch with a Solicitor. Her actions are unacceptable!

[shelby45]

The thing is, by showing a reaction, they know they are getting to you! It must be hard to ignore as I have had dealings with neighbours like that in the past.
On a naughtier note, you could gather up some dog mess, wrap it up in the said fliers, put it on his doorstep and set fore to it, ring on the bell and watch them as they try and stamp out the fire!!!!!!

[nfhhenry]

I think police need to get involved first for a solicitor to do anything. My understanding is that neighbour has to receive a harrassment warning notice & then if behaviour is continued then she can be arrested. I wish!!! I just need police to help, have reported it this morning, fingers crossed something gets done. No doubt there will be some reaction from her to us even if the police talk to her. I'm expecting the posters to be handed out at school pick up, our children go to the same primary. She is a campaigner/bully.....

[cassa333]

How did they publish the article? Did you write a counter atricle?

Was the information in it acurate and if you won what could be in it (other than their added marker pen comments) that would be offencive now?

Perhaps you could get the local paper in to do an article on the bullying neighbour!

[cassa333]

Sorry forgot to add...

If they have added inflamatory or inacurate information you can get a solicitor involved for defamation or slander (can't remember which one though) but it might cost you a bit.

[paraffin]

What a dreadful story! I feel for you because peace of mind is not something which anyone can buy.

I'm extremely disappointed to hear that the Police have apparently done diddley squat so far? Although I have to say that I know from experience that this is a very delicate situation, certainly not helped by the fact that you all live in a cul-de-sac.

Have you considered contacting your local Citizens Advice Bureau? The would be able to at least give you free legal advice. Or your local Council should have someone employed as a form of mediation official who can act as an inteermediary between you and your neighbour to try to help you both alleviate your problems, because your neighbour clearly feels as if they have a grievance too.

Or as a last resort you could always make contact with your local MP and seek advice: it's not a very unusual thing to do, believe it or not.

Keep a record/log of every instance of aggravation by your neighbour, day/date/time etc. It could serve as good evidence in the future to help resolve your differences.

Hope this is of help. Good luck.

[baileybird]

go to your local paper! they love a story like this!!!!

[Nhozu]

go and see a solicitor; your neighbour might be liable under libel laws amongst other things. the police will most likely do very little

[Barquentine]

Get a friendly solicitor to send them a letter (at minimal cost) setting out the criteria that are required for a defamation action and stating their actions could be construed by a court as meeting those criteria. Warn them you will seek substantial damages plus solicitors' costs. I think to prove your claim you may need to demonstrate financial loss (not sure - just google 'defamation' & you'll find out). Maybe also get the solicitor's letter to require them to publish an apology in the local paper & retraction of their defamatory insinuations. This is really a civil dispute - not somehting for the police. If you take the canine arsenist's advice then that would be a matter for said officers of the law! Good luck.