Is it against the law?

[missprim]

An elderley friend of mine is troubled by youths, sometimes up to 10 at a time, kicking a football about in the street outside her house at all times of the day or night. They are really loud as they are shouting and swearing and kicking the ball with great force. Sometimes the ball comes in to her garden and they just climb over her fence to get it back.
Once she went out to ask them not to do this but she was met with taunts and swearing so she is now frightened of them.
After phoning the police for help, she was told it's not an offence to play football in the street, so they wouldn't come out.
Is it against the law and what do you think she should do about it as it is really making her life a misery.
Thanks.

[chelle7272]

It may not be illiegal but she has a right to a decent quality of life and not to live in fear of abuse or harrasment.
She could try the anti-social behaviour route. The local council (whether she is a tenant or not) should have a team which deals with this and could advise her. the Police also should but you would probably get a better response throught the local authority.
She will need to keep a diary of when this happens, days, times, and how long it continues for as well as any incidents of entering her garden or abusive language / behaviour.
It may help if her neighbours also see or suffer any of this and can support her complaint.

Good Luck x

[loonytunes]

As usual, the police know naff all.

The Highways Act Section 161...

If a person plays at football or any other game on a highway to the annoyance of a user of the highway he is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale

Your Council; also has highways enforcement officers who can act.

Sounds like ASBO time to me.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-412832 /Siblings-face-Asbo-playing-football-street.ht ml

and

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-458961 /Parents-face-100-fine-children-play-football- street.html

[missprim]

Thank you chelle and loonytunes for your replies.
My friend did approach the local authority and was told they need the names and address's of these youths before they can take any action. My friend is 72 yrs old, what do you think they would say if she went up to them with pen and paper to ask for their names and address's, there's no way she would do that. I will tell her to keep a record but she has approached her neighbours and they just don't want to know as they are afraid of any comebacks.
The links were really interesting as the first one was about siblings who live about 5 mins away from where my friend lives, but if they are stopping young kids from playing football then surely they can stop a gang of youths. I will tell her about the highways act and then she can quote this to the police.
Thanks again.

[tamborine]

It's an offence to 'disturb the peace'.....get the cops out of their video cars.

[loonytunes]

If the council offficers do not want to do their jobs, involve the old lady's councillor, and don't take no for an answer.

[missprim]

Have written to her councillor and he is 'looking in to it,' but you are right and I won't take no for an answer.
Thanks again to you all.x

[DaisyMae]

There is always her MP, in these times when they are in such a bad light they will be bending over backwards to be seen to be doing a good job.

[Barquentine]

If you take justice into your own hands against these yobs there are plenty of examples that you will be the ones arrested & our so-called 'judges' (who have appallingly bad powers of judgment) will sentence you for your just & rightful actions. Anyone who disagrees with how private citizens ought to deal with yobs has the society they deserve.
See this link for yet another feeble MP initiative from the new Home Secretary (just how many failed attempts have governments been allowed since Willie Whitelaw's 'boot-camps' in 1979 - you would think they could get it right after decades and decades of trying - do they really know better than us how to improve things?):
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/anti-social-behav iour/
(and articles in today's papers on the subject).

[missprim]

Thanks very much Barquentine that's a really helpful link you have sent me, I'm sure I will find something there that might help.Have saved it to my favourites and will go through it to learn as much as I can.
I'm sure I will find it very useful.