AITA (26F) for reporting my neighbour (38F + 39M) son (11M) to the police for trespassing?

I (26F) live in England and have worked hard to earn and save for my home. Most people on my street are social housing tenants, and while I got along well with my next-door neighbours, Emily and Ben, things started to go wrong when their 13-year-old son repeatedly trespassed into my garden to retrieve his football. Initially, I tried addressing the issue by speaking with his parents and even asking him to knock on my door to ask for his ball.

Despite apologies and assurances, the behavior continued. Frustrated and concerned about potential liability if he were to get hurt, I installed CCTV, saved the footage, and ultimately filed a police report. Now, my neighbours are furious, and my siblings think I’m an a**hole. Am I in the wrong for taking such drastic action against a child who just wanted his ball?

‘AITA (26F) for reporting my neighbour (38F + 39M) son (11M) to the police for trespassing?’

Dr. Eleanor Fisher, a family and community psychologist, explains that repeated trespassing can create real safety and liability issues for a homeowner. “While it may seem trivial to some, when a child repeatedly enters someone’s property, the homeowner can be held responsible if any injuries occur,” she notes. Dr. Fisher stresses that clear communication with neighbours should be the first step, but when informal warnings and discussions fail repeatedly, stronger measures may be justified.

Legal expert Simon Clarke points out that property owners have the right to protect their space, and installing CCTV with proper notice is a legitimate method of deterring repeated trespassers. “If the trespassing continues after you’ve tried to resolve it amicably, filing a police report isn’t necessarily an overreaction—it’s a way to formally document and address a potential risk,” he says.

Sociologist Dr. Priya Ramachandran also comments on the dynamics at play, noting that social and economic differences between homeowners and social housing tenants can sometimes fuel tension. “Even though the child is innocent, repeated trespassing becomes a legal and emotional issue for the property owner. The fact that the neighbours are upset about a police report reflects their own biases and perhaps a reluctance to accept formal consequences,” she explains.

Here’s what people had to say to OP:

The Reddit community is deeply divided on this matter. Many users argue that repeated trespassing, especially after multiple warnings, poses real risks—both legally and for the child’s safety—and therefore, reporting it was justified. Comments such as “NTA. If he gets hurt, you could be liable,” and “Your safety and your property rights come first” resonate with those who believe your actions were necessary.

On the other hand, several commenters feel that involving the police over a child merely retrieving his ball is excessive and comes off as punitive. They argue that the situation could have been handled through further dialogue with the family or community mediation, with less dramatic measures.

Some even label your actions as snobbish, pointing to the mention of social housing as an unnecessary dig. Overall, while many see your response as a reasonable escalation after repeated warnings, others believe you overreacted and call you an a**hole for calling in law enforcement on a child.

In conclusion, while your intentions were to protect your property and ensure safety, the decision to report a 13-year-old for retrieving his ball is a drastic step that has clearly divided opinions. On one hand, repeated trespassing can indeed create legal liabilities and safety concerns, making your action understandable.

On the other hand, some feel that more leniency and further communication could have been attempted before involving the police. Ultimately, if you believe that all informal measures were exhausted and the risk of injury or further damage remains high, your actions may be justified—but be prepared for the long-term fallout with your neighbours.