A friend has a problem with their neighbour - bonfires what to do?

[Nosha123]

A friend of mine on our estate is having real problems with a neighbour and I wondered if anyone had any advice?
Their neighbour is in her seventies and has 2 large Alsatians (that rarely get walked). She is a bit of a recluse and barricades herself into her property from all sides.
The problem is she doesnt seem to like children - especially if they dare to play in their garden on a sunny day and make any kind of noise. So she lights a bonfire and burns rubber tyres and plastic to produce mounds of acrid black smoke. She claims its her Romany background and she is performing 'rituals' (seriously! Not winding you up on this one!!!!).
When our friend went round to talk to her about it - she didnt really back down - and he walked away feeling even more pee'd off than before as he doesnt think there is a solution to the problem. She can be very nasty and said some nasty things about his kids (said all little girls were bitc**s) and he feels that if they complain or try to confront the situation she will respond by being nastier.
I am dealing with my own nasty neighbours at the moment (as some of you may know!) but dont know what advice I can offer our friends. It seems unfair their kids cant enjoy the garden on a hot day without breathing in lungfuls of smoke.
By the way - she may be old... (the neighbour) but she claims to 'know people'... the types of 'old school' criminals.. so they are really reluctant to upset her in fear of being confronted by someone or having their tyres slashed!!
What on earth can they do - other than move house!!!!
Any advice please?

[redcrx]

if she is burning tyres and causing acrid snoke then talk to the fire service. You can call your local station, speak to them and ask what you should do. They may advise you to call them out each time.

[Nosha123]

Thanks Redcrx - will tell them and see if they want to try that - she burns her dog poo too! So you can just imagine the smells on the estate! Nice! Especially when you are entertaining with friends on a hot summers day

[ness1301]

The environmental health department of the local council would also be interested if your neighbour is burning tyres as I think this is not allowed. They might like to know about the dog poo too!!!

[redcrx]

id speak to fire first. Manys a time they have gone and put peoples garden bonfires out tha are causing a nuisance.
But Id ask at station first to check whether its ok to dial 999 for something thats not a danger.

[Nosha123]

or just chuck some petrol on it to REALLY get it going redcrox.. that'll scare her eh! She might think twice next time before stinking out the whole neighbourhood!

[coccinelle]

Burning any toxic materials is against the law. I honestly can't understand why she hasn't been reported before from people in and out of the estate.
We'd have our mayor round (this is France) in a flash!!

[Nosha123]

I know coccinelle

And the problem is now - it they do take it further and make a complaint she is going to know it was them since they went round to try and talk to her about it. Worse thing is - her neighbours the OTHER side have kids and the husband is asthmatic

[coccinelle]

But surely nobody needs to put in a complaint, just phone the local council (parish council) to mention the fact someone is burning some tyres and they should sort it out. It isn't a noise issue, it's against the law. Get greenpeace onto it!!!

[Velvetee]

She sounds like she may also have a few mental problems, perhaps this is caused by her being reclusive and lonely. Her actions do appear to be antisocial and the tire buring well that's just unacceptable.

I think I would contact both the council and social services. She may be in need of some kind of help or social care. Sitting indoors all day, with no human contact will mean she'll have more time to dwell on the things other people wouldn't normally notice. Lonliness can send people around the twist.

[motionless]

does the hag have a dog liceince. worth having it checked out. fight fire with fire.

[Nosha123]

thanks everyone - really good advice!