Gateways

[sad old git]

My next door neighbour has a young son about six years oid; he has a few little friends who congreate at his front gate and lay their little bikes on the pavement and run up and down the street having fun as I did in those days(100 years ago). I have no problem with that but they sometimes open my gate and run around in the frontage of my house. My question is am I legally allowed to shoo them off my property or will there be some archaic law that will not allow me to do this?

[jaydah]

Be glad they feel secure in your garden.....you could leave out a tin of paint & some brushes & let them paint your gate.

[ojread2]

have you asked them nicely not to do it? Usually works. We have an open garden no gate and a fence that is easily stepped over and sometimes we get the odd child in but, if they are there for more than a few minutes, I just ask them to get out of my garden politely and off they trot

It can be quite irritating children right outside your window and unnerving as well and I fail to see you are not within your rights to ask them not to open your gate.

Could you get a harder to open catch fitted?

[Mully79]

I don't see why you can't tell them to get off your property, but I would do it politely and firmly in case any of them have parents you'd rather not get hassle from. I have a young daughter who plays with our neighbour's grandson, recently they have attracted a posse of slightly older children who congregate around the path in front of our house and sometimes find their way on our property. I tell them firmly not to muck about in my front garden and to stay out, and they duly oblige, we have a fence and gate which makes it easier (our neighbours aren't so lucky) - keeps them out and they can't sit on the fence either, which would also annoy me. I have a bolt on the inside of the gate which I sometimes use in the evening (it's very stiff so even if they wanted to open it by leaning over, they'd have a hard job) - that keeps them away much better if they are irritating me, and they understand it's off limits.

[Nosha123]

I think you can quite easily explain to them that they mustnt enter someones property without permission.. and that they need to understand the reasons why...

They are probably just too young to understand and havent had it explained before!

Good to make them aware though.. especially as they should be aware also of strangers and not going near a strangers house or front door.. for their own safety!

[fredpuli47]

Agree with Nosha. But as a matter of law you can be liable for mishaps befalling them on your property, even if they are children going where adults wouldn't or taking risks which an adult wouldn't take there. If for no other reason, that's because the law has long held that an occupier is liable for the hurt caused to children who go on land when attracted by something there which is lure for children and get hurt as a result (conker tree owners beware!).

[joko]

put one of those signs warning of a big dog living there on the gate...might scare them away

[sad old git]

Thank you all for your replies you have all been very helpfull. ATB .S.O.G.