Neighbour Taking Photos Of Kids

[Maz V]

Hi, We live on a council estate. We have four kids, 6,7,10,12. Our kids have nowhere locally to play, nearest piece of green is 1/2 mile away & next to the A406 (north circ) with dogs mess & druggie needles around. So they play out with other kids from the estate on a piece of green just outside the block. My 12 yr old came running round earlier saying theres a man taking photos of them, i confronted him saying why are you taking photos of my kids, his reply was, im taking photos of 15 kids playing where they shouldnt(just says no ball games) he said he is gaining evidence. I called the police & reported him, as of yet they havnt turned up! He is a neighbour from the estate that is trying to stop the kids playing out. I dont know what to do now, do i keep letting them play out.I played out when i was a kid. These people dont want kids to have fun these days.

Thanks Maz V

[malibu-sioux]

Don't see what gives him the right to take photos of children without permission,he could be anyone,some kind of peodo',why don't the council understand that if the kids have somewhere to play then they wouldn't play on the smallest piece of green they can find,and people wouldn't go around taking photos of kids to try and get them banned.!!

[Suetheramble]

I'd take a photo of him - just in case

[dancealot13]

Suetheramble- Yes!! That's exactly what I would do, take pictures of him and give him a tast of his own medicin. As long as the kids are being respectful then what's the harm!? Sounds like a mean lonly old man.

[KateMerrills]

I just cant believe people can be so petty to be honest! What harm could they possibly be doing just playing? I have kids playing outside my house all the time and I wouldn't even think to take their photo! What a weirdo. I would be furious.

A woman took a picture of my daughter at toddler group 2 weeks ago (to show friends) I presume? That made me feel uncomfortable.

I can't understand how angry/upset you must be feeling.

You did the right thing calling the Police. Well done for not shouting/taking his camera away as some would have done.

Call them again and ask approx. what time will they be coming. Say you are concerned he is a pervert or worse and are growing increasingly concerned that he may up load these images on his computer etc etc. Make it out to be the worst case senario and they will come out sooner.

I would not let your kids play out again there alone until Police come at least. You cant be to careful.

Good luck.

[Maz V]

Thanks for you answers, i think i will play out with the kids tomorrow & take pics of him. We had the same problem last year, but that neighbour has moved on! The council are not interested in the kids unless they start doing damage. The oldest that plays out there is 14, they are all indoors by 8-9pm, bet their kids used to play out!

Maz V

[Maz V]

**UPDATE**UPDATE**UPDATE**UPDATE**UPDATE**

Hi all, called police back, they didnt have anyone to come round earlier. They have logged it for the community police to look in to, proberly sometime in september then!! The police have said it may all be innocent, he may be taking photos to send to the council for asbo's!! on little girls pushing their buggys around!!!

Will let you all know the outcome on this one.

Maz V

[electricblue]

What a typical preset load of mumbo jumbo,he could commit some horrendous crime and be out of the country by then,no-one should have the right to take photos of other peoples children without their say-so,what a joke!!

[raysparx]

Keep you eye on him Maz, I am not saying he is a wierdo,maybe he just don't like kids playing, good idea to keep taking his photo see how he likes it,

just tell the kids not to talk or be rude to him,because it will be them that cop it in the end,

good luck, Ray

[suzi-q]

Hi, there's always one isn't there? When my kids were younger we had similar problem with a few busy body neighbours. One lady told my 8 and 10 year old to go and play at the park - a 20 minute walk away. Another phoned the police because the kids put their jumper on the pavement outside their house. I'm sure loads of parents have similar problems with neighbours who have either forgotten or don't know what its like to have kids and these days you worry. They're just grumpy old so n so's.

[Maz V]

Police came round this afternoon, had a word with all the kids that were playing out. They came up & spoke to me to get my version of whats been going on. Also phoned the council estate officer to let him know it has flared up again, he said theres nothing the council can do unless the kids start getting abusive, or cause damage to property or cars. The police are going to keep an eye on it, but cant do anything.

If the neighbour is kicking up now in easter holidays, whats he gonna be like when the summer hols start!!! Bring it on!!

Thanks Maz V

[JudgeJ]

Before you consider this man�s motives you should understand that there are, despite what The Sun would have you believe, comparatively few paedophiles around. There are, however, far greater numbers of people whose lives are blighted by the misbehaviour of other people�s children.

Could it not have occurred to you, Maz V, that your neighbour may have been given grief by the children �just playing�? To have fifteen children congregate outside your house cannot be pleasant, whatever they are doing. The police (quite rightly) will not take any action against them unless there is evidence of wrong doing. Your neighbour may have complained to the police and been told just that. So he may be trying to gain the evidence he needs.

The fact that your children have nowhere else to play does not justify them annoying other people. Young people are not always as well behaved as they would like their parents to believe. No doubt you did play out when you were young. And no doubt you were told from time to time to moderate your behaviour or move somewhere else. Whether you did or whether you replied with a mouthful of lip I can only guess.

Even though they may not be acting strictly illegally these children could well be acting inconsiderately so try seeing the problem from somebody else�s point of view and consider their needs. The requirements of your children are not so important that they override everybody else�s peace and quiet, whatever you may think.

I�m afraid that your expressed eagerness to �bring it on� when the summer holidays start goes a long way towards explaining your attitude to this gentleman�s problem.

[Maz V]

If these people want peace & quite, why buy a house in the middle of a (roughish) council estate? The kids arent right outside his house, they are on the green over the road. At least its not a bunch of "Hoodies" outside till the early hours, they are in by 8-9pm.

Maz V

[JudgeJ]

- It may not have been �roughish� when he bought it.
- It may have been all he could afford.
- He may have chosen to live there for work or personal reasons.

In fact, there are all sorts of reasons why "these people" live where they do, all of which are no concern of yours. He is still entitled to enjoy his property (whether he owns or rents it) in peace and quiet.

If the children are causing so little inconvenience, why not encourage them to congregate outside your house for a while? It would help your neighbour by relieving him of their activities. It would help the children by encouraging them to congregate where they are more welcome. And maybe, just maybe, it will help you to understand what is causing him concern.

Anyway, I�ve said enough. I�ve already broken my New Year Resolution not to become embroiled in arguments or matters of opinion on AB. Sometimes, though, I just can�t help myself!

[Drusilla1S]

I would imagine your neighbour complained about the noise and was told by the police the age of some of the children prevented their taking any action. He would have been advised to contact the local council and they may well have advised him to gather information regarding his complaint. This would have included taking photographs of the offences taking place in the 'No Ball Games area' etc.

I wouldn't advise allowing the children to continue playing in such an area because you could be sited in a nuisance or harassment inquiry which may be a breach of your own tenancy agreement, (if you rent) and that could lead to your eviction.

Your local council should have some form of arbitration set up that could help both your neighbour and yourself arrive at some mutually acceptible solution to this matter.

[Garforthdave]

This is a difficult one. I do some work with a charity group and we sometimes organise kids discos, we can't take pictures of kids enjoying themselves at at event for them with council backing and youth / social services in attendance to answer questions the kids may not want to ask their parents! This possibly dangerous man living in your area (though also possibly a local busy body with dick all else to do with his time apart from complain) may not be of interest to the Police. Have you tried social or youth services within your local council? They may be able to offer better advice or support and also be able to suggest the safest way for you to insert his camera where the sun doesn't shine!!

Good luck and I hope your kids continue to play outside and enjoy themselves

Dave

[sharpy36]

Iam with the judge on this one,sorry maz