Q519: Can ball games be legally played on a public road?

It is possible that this type of behaviour may constitute harassment ,see the related questions in Related Information. However, it would probably be best if you first made contact with your local neighbourhood policing team who may be aware of other incidents and know the identity of the youths involved (if you don't). Police Community Support Officers are a valuable source of information.

The officers may be able to consider applying for civil injunctions or Criminal Behaviour Orders if the same youths are persistently causing a community problem with these types of nuisance activities.

These types of problems may not be solved straight away though, a lot of enquiries, research and observations may be required by both officers and members of the community in order to combat this anti-social behaviour.

It may be a good idea to keep a log of the incidents including the date, time and details of the incidents that have taken place, which may assist officers and local authority staff when investigating these matters.

No, by agreeing to have a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) and paying the fine you will not receive a criminal conviction. Accepting and paying the fine is not an admission of guilt but discharges the possibility of the creation of a criminal record.

The fact that you have been given a PND will be recorded on the Police National Computer, but it will not create a criminal record. The information is recorded for administrative purposes and to establish if a person has had more than one PND.

If a criminal records check is carried out it does not automatically mean that the PND would be disclosed. However, it could be referred to if the behaviour that led to the PND was linked with the reason for the check.

It is important for the police to obtain as much information as possible with regards to the details of the car/bike and also the driver/rider and passengers. You do not have to disclose your details to the police when making a report.

It is best to contact the police as soon as the cars/bikes arrive so that the police have a better chance of apprehending those responsible. You can report nuisance motor vehicles to your local police force via their 101 non-emergency number.

If possible, in the first instance, we would suggest that efforts are made to speak with the children/parents of the children involved as it may be that they do not realise what is happening or that their actions are illegal. If this is not possible, then this behaviour can be reported to the police because it is an offence for anyone to throw, cast, fire or set fire to a firework in the highway, street, thoroughfare, or public place unless it is as part of an organised event by licensed professionals.

Additionally, it is an offence for a person under 18 to possess what is known as an adult firework; these are fireworks that fall into categories F2, F3 or F4.

Category F2 fireworks are fireworks which present a low hazard and low noise level and which are intended for outdoor use in confined areas.

Category F3 fireworks are fireworks which present a medium hazard, which are intended for outdoor use in large open areas and whose noise level is not harmful to human health.

Category F4 fireworks are fireworks which present a high hazard, which are intended for use only by persons with a specialist knowledge and whose noise level is not harmful to human health.