A homeowner fed up with their neighbours' children repeatedly wandering into their garden came up with a plan to stop them - but some people think they took their revenge too far

While most people are happy to let the neighbourhood children play outside, one homeowner reached breaking point after claiming the kids next door wouldn't stay out of their garden. After repeatedly finding the youngsters on their driveway and wandering around their property, they decided enough was enough and came up with a plan they hoped would keep them out for good.

Sharing an update on Reddit, the homeowner explained they planted rows of blackberry and raspberry bushes along the two sides of their garden that border the driveway. Behind them, they planted strawberries and tomatoes, meaning anyone wanting to reach the fruit would have to deliberately walk through the bushes or make their way past the side of the house. For a couple of weeks, the plan appeared to work.

The homeowner said the children still played on the driveway but had stopped venturing into the garden - until berry season arrived.

Also the homeowner claimed they caught the boys picking and eating raspberries before walking them home and telling their mum they considered it theft.

They said: "I told their mum I caught them stealing (that's how I see it even though it's fruit) and that I'd call the cops next time."

The mum brushed off the complaint, telling them to "grow up" before taking the boys inside - but the warning didn't have the desired effect.

A few days later, after returning home, the homeowner claims they found the boys and their dad in the middle of the garden picking berries from the bushes.

Instead of confronting them, they quietly called the police before taking out their phone and filming what was happening.

Around 10 minutes later, officers arrived and allegedly caught the family still picking fruit.

The Reddit user claimed police told the neighbours they were trespassing and that taking the berries amounted to theft. Officers also asked whether they wanted to press charges.

Although they decided against taking things any further, they have since arranged for another security camera to be installed overlooking the front garden and driveway.

The homeowner added: "If I ever catch any of them again, the cops will be called and possible charges will follow."

Your thoughts

The update divided opinion online, with some believing the homeowner should have been more than patient.

One person said: "Yes the kid’s are dumb and unruly, however you would be a***hole if you intentionally put cactus where children could get hurt.

"Not just these kids but what about other kids just walking by? That happened to my three-year-old when we were out for a walk, his balance is terrible and he brushed up against cactus in front of someone’s house, cost me $100 ER visit and a little boy in pain for a week."

Another user said: "You're not wrong but don't do it. First of all, that probably the kind of thing you'll need your landlord's permission for. It could also potentially create liability for you and/or your landlord if one of the kids is hurt by the bushes (even if the kids are on your property)."

While a third user added: "Their parents are lazy and sound like they just want to make you a free babysitter - 'Boys will be boys'."