Harassment.

[squidgelet10]

Greetings each.

After being harassed by a neighbour for over 18 months, I made a formal complaint to the British Police.

They do not want to get involved and have suggested a Private Prosecution.

Does anyone know how to do this in UK please?

[Postdog]

I think the simple answer is see a solicitor.

[KebabMeister]

Just tell the Police that they were speeding and they'll be round like a flash.

[johnizere]

I had a similar situation some years ago, I had a solicitor write to them listing all the events /evidence I had, that could be used in a court if I wished to take it further, as the information I had amassed was sufficient to bring a civil case, and just one more harassment event would be enough to start the ball rolling. I had no more problems after that, thank goodness, but of course, every case is different. I wish you well.

[JudgeJ]

You firstly need to determine exactly what has been happening to you. Although you say you have been �harassed�, this is a clearly defined term for the purposes of the various acts under which such behaviour is prosecuted.

If the police have refused to become involved this is almost certainly because either (a) they do not think a criminal offence has been committed or (b) they do not think there is sufficient evidence to persuade the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to prosecute the case.

If either of these two is true then launching a private prosecution is similarly likely to fail and would be a waste of (a considerable) amount of money. (You should bear in mind that even in the event of success you would be unlikely to be awarded your full costs. The CPS only gets a �contribution� towards their costs from successful prosecutions. If you are unsuccessful you will be liable not only for your own costs, but may very well find yourself landed with the defendant�s as well).

You may have a case to take civil action against your tormentor. This is not the same as a private prosecution. It does not involve criminal law and the burden of proof is less onerous (you have to show your case to be true �on the balance of probabilities� rather than �beyond reasonable doubt�).

I would not try to involve then local council unless the problem involves noise or dirt, as this seems to be the only things they are generally interested in. As first suggested by postdog, you should really consult a solicitor. It will not cost you much for a consultation where it can be determined what (if any) road you should take. And it may save you an awful lot of time, money and grief.

[squidgelet10]

Greetings each!

I thank all five of you for your helpful suggestions. I particularly thank JudgeJ for his most helpful advice which is broadly in line with the information provided by a local CAB adviser.

It appears that "neighbour" problems are notoriously difficult to deal with, particularly by legal means.

The most recent occurrence, of which I have photographic evidence plus three witnesses, involves the "neighbour" photographing several cars belonging to visitors arriving at my home by invitation for a social gathering. Apparently it is perfectly legal to do this, however intimidating it becomes for myself and my visitors!!!

I think I may adopt the simpler approach of obtaining an injunction against the perpetrator, unless anyone has any better ideas.

I do not intend to spend a fortune on the person concerned as I do not see why the hell I should have to do so!!!

Cheers.

[djc45]

Just ignore the person who you have a problem with,
It�s difficult to give you good advice without knowing what they are doing to upset you. If they are just busy bodies and you ignore them they tend to go away