Horrible youths

[Scarlett]

I live in an old bank and at the front of the building is a massive window, with a big flat stone window sill. Beneath this are railings which I had to get planning permission for, as gangs of kids were sitting on this window sill at night, using it like a park bench, and being so noisy and leaving litter etc all over it.

I thought that the railing would stop them, but now that it's the summer holidays, the kids are back, and they are hoistng themselves up, over the railings in order to sit on my window sill.

I have gone out and asked them to get down, and they just look at me with disgust, chewing, and don't move. Eventually they slide down but continue to stand right outside my front door (I live on the main street) looking threatening. They don't go away.

I live in a rough area and if I make a big deal about this, I know that they will egg my door or worse.

What can I do? They are on private property, and they know they shouldn't be. There are about 8 kids, from 10-17.

HELP!

[beryllium]

as lovelya idea it would be to invite them in for coffee, Dont.
they may
a: expect it every time
b: go home, chat about the nice lady who offered them in for coffee to mum, and then you will and should expect a visit from the police. Suspicion as to why and your motives. Just simply not worth the trouble.
They have no respect for you or your peace or your property. And the fact there is no youth club is not your problem.
We have 3 youth clubs in our area. Does that stop them causing trouble? of course not.
It takes up to 5 yrs to get ASBOs btw. Although in your case that doesn't seem viable.
I truly hope you get the peace you deserve. Human rights lol
Your flat sounds lovely and the garden box sounds a good way to go.....

[twain11]

Gripfill those pigeon spikes on to the sill, it's completey legal and unless the little ***** are into extreme body piercing they will not sit on it again.

[teag1rl]

As above my immediate thought was pigeon spikes, but jiggy's suggestion of window box would be much more attractive and should have same outcome? Best of luck. I don't envy you x

[turboped]

I guess the real fear here is if you scare them away then they will thrive on the conflict. The situation may get worse.

If you had a friend (not being sexist here) maybe a large biker type, someone who looks mean, not to scare them away but to talk to them, maybe just on a visit saying 'Hi guys" as he comes to the door, then next time "How's things", these kids would get a buzz off someone like that being friendly with them, Then he could tell them how it's not nice to hang around outside your house. I really think this kind of thing would work.
If not then resort to extreme violence and pain but make sure it's a clean hit and you hide the bodies well.

[Scarlett]

Thankyou for your suggestions so far!! I should have mentioned that my house is listed, so I have to get planning permission if I want to do anything to the front of it. It took a year and a half to get the railings!! The Post Office next door had to get a metal gate to go on their entrance cos the kids were putting broken glass and LIT fags through their letter box. Trust me, the kids in this area are really not nice at all.
If I put a window box on the sill I can guarantee that it would be robbed/turned over/broken/thrown in the street on the first day. We can't even have wheelie bins or green boxes, or milk from a milkman!!
I like the idea of the alarms. I'll ask the police. I also like the dog poo idea, but I KNOW that if I put it on there, it will only deter them until it dries up, so I will have to have a continual supply. plus if they think I have done it to stop them, they wil put it through my letter box or smear it all over the front of my house.

I would never invite me- the polite approach doesn't work. They are too suspicious. Plus I am a teacher so they would report me for being a paedophile. These kids know their rights!! They got the Art technician at school the sack by making up stories about him- it was SO sad.

Keep any ideas coming if you have them! THANKS!

[joko]

try smearing the railings with axle grease or something, they will soon think twice about it when its all over their trews - just deny all knowlege of it.

how about planting a large holly bush? or just get a huge one in a pot. or nettles. i would think these are exempt from planning permission

i would also just have a tape player on the window ledge and play it as soon as they arrive at top blast.

classical or cliff as has been said - or even if you can get some sound effects such as a baby crying or somehting.

[atolhurst]

What about that sticky paint stuff people sometimes p[ut on their walls to stop burglars climbing over? Would be less smelly than dog poo.

[WendyS]

Actually Scarlett, perhaps inviting them in for coffee wasn't really a good idea. A bit risky. They might start casing up your joint. But a light sprinkle of yellow turmeric powder (the stuff used in Indian cooking) sprinkled over the surface of your window sill might just do the trick.

It's absolutely impossible to get it off clothing if they sit down on it . If you try and brush it off it smears everywhere. If you try and wash it off the stains remain for ever and a day. Just watch out for lots of little sparrows with yellow feathers who might alight on the sill by accident. (But don't sprinkle it on just before you're expecting rain !!)

[WendyS]

Or why not buy one of those One Cal(orie) canisters of olive oil and spray all the railings with that?

A friend of ours sprays this on the metal pole from which she hangs her bird feeders and peanut cages to deter the squirrels from climbing up it. She says it's pretty effective.

You could always claim it's a rust preventative for the railings!