Harrassment by neighbours group hate crime

Please help any suggestions or ideas as we are living a nightmare!

Hello

My name is Mark and I live with my family, two children many animals and my partner whom is a nurse wthin the  Wigan Bourough and am a disabled man having autism with dyslexia. 


I have been subjected to sporadic bullying and harassment from three of my neighbours for over 10 years.

However during the spring to summer, of 2020 this harassment took a new turn when I was physically assaulted by one of them and two other neighbours became involved in the group harassment.

Then we also had a change of occupancy of two other households. These new  neighbours appear to have been recruited by the original protagonists.

This brings the total of harassing group households upto seven.

The incidents have become more frequent in the last few months and the threats have become more violent in nature and with every incident reported to the Pilice and the police being unwilling to prosecute, the protagonists seem to be getting embolden by this apparent impunity. 


Some of the attacks we are subject to appear to be coordinated and the Police and council appear to have very little interest (or powers). They keep just saying there is no evidence ( i have supplied them with what i consider reasonable evidence).

The authorities that I have contacted  so far, for support seem unable to understand that not only is the crimes against me very difficult for an autistic person to deal with, but so is the need to communicate with the agency itself.


The incidents I have been subject to include:-

  1. Physical attacks assault causing actual bodily harm.
  2. Assaulted with a garden hose water jet whilst in my garden.
  3. Threats of violence ( don't go to sleep , I am going to rip your head off, we are sending the local crime family to *** you up, you can't hide in your house forever).
  4. Personal verbal threats on our lively hood or physical status.
  5. Abuse about my autism and name calling (mong, spakker, dumbo etc).
  6. Criminal damage including pulling up plants in our garden and chopping heads of trees in our garden etc.
  7. Trespass.
  8. Flytipping on our land.
  9. Vehicle parking to prevent use of our drive.
  10. Access to part of our land has been blocked by piles of stones and a barrier.
  11. Untrue stories about my bad character being passed among other neighbours.
  12. Open and publicly accusing me of being a pervert and a pedo ( all baseless I add).
  13. Taking photographs of myself and my family and videoing myself and my family, whilst we go about our lawful business.
  14. Fowl language whilst my son is present and threats to my partner and me whilst my son is present.


This is not an exhaustive list just the low lights of their collective, coordinated and sustained behaviour.


Please can you help we are desperate to be left alone, to live life peacefully and are growing increasingly concerned about their behaviour effecting our 6 year old son and are having issues sleeping and being on high alert is wearing and overwhelming at times.


The police refuse to acknowledge this as a hate crime or investigate the extent of the group aspect and seem disinterested (or powerless), in the bullying and assaulting of a disabled man and his family.

An added complexity but context, to the issue is that the protagonists are on the face of it what the police call " people of good standing " , being retired from work in semi skilled blue and white colour professionals and some still working in none management white collar positions. They all keep their homes neat and tidy and have average cars not luxury just normal entry to mid range vehicles. 

So as an autistic individual with high functioning autism and university educated but working as a handy man (I have worked in fund management in past and as a university lecturer but my autism has mentioned I have been unable to sustain a career) locally I appear to be socially subordinate, when the police deal with me. But the reverse is true in terms of my ability to cognitively understand the issues. But the neighbours involved just lie and I am left trying to justify my peacefull, law obiding activities against a set of lies perpetrated on me to cover the protagonists horrid behaviour.

The police have stated to me that because of the number of people saying the same things about me that it does appear I am to blame! These statements leave me sick to my stomach with huge and ever increasing burden of anxiety.

The neighboyrsvtgat do know me also speak of the behaviour of these households as disgusting and that they all appear to have a vendetta against myself and my family just because we are different. But the neighbours that remain supportive don't want to become involved or publicly show support for us as they ( understandably) don't want to be subject to any of the disgusting behaviour we receive. 


Please please help us we are desperate for help and support.


Thank you for reading 

Mark

  • Update

    Today I have been informed by my MP that he has written to Manchester Police to ask for a report.

    Regards

    Arbor

  • Thank you

  • well done u 

  • Hi all,

    UPDATE

    1. I have now had a reply from two of my local councillors whom are asking question on my behalf of the local council and the actions that the dept, has or hasnt taken.

    2. The deputy major on behalf of the major has written to greater Manchester poluce for a full explanation of the action taken so fare.

    3. Embrace a charity via Wigan Council has made an initial contact for me to chat about the support they can offer us.

    4. I have been in touch with Cit Adv Buroeu and they have given me contacts for probono advice via the university for legal matters.

    5. I have written to the "right to review" police dept for a judgement from them about opening the case of physical assault where I received actual body harm from a neighbours attack. I am outside the window of 3 months but I have asked them to waiver this time scale on medical grounds ie my incapacity following the assault to deal with matters. It had the effect of me being unable to function for a number of months.

    Thank you sooooooo much for all your kind words it has given me the strength to stand up again and keep praying and keep facing the bullies by pen !

    Thank you so much I just needed a hand up of my knees and you all collectively did that ! Being autistic is ace and I love what it brings me in terms of creativity and the amazing way it let's us live but sometimes being without a large circle of friends and wiser family, is hard in times like this ! But I never needed friends as I love the pink clouds in my world !

    But sometimes a strangers hand is more powerful than a friends embrace !

    Arbor

  • Thank you Aidie your support means more than you know! We are moving in 4 years when we retire but its just not possible at present but I so agree!

  • Sorry Robert I am just over sensitive at present- my deepest apology 

  • no one should be treated this way.

    Time to talk to a solicitor and get a plan to sue the richest one first. Locate and use the police complaints system with the aid of solicitor.

    i prioritised these so u focus on the more important ones  this doesnt mean the others are not horrible. 

    This is serious intimidation. If possible Leave.  I dont know if you rent or own. I have been subject to intimidation and I moved.  Solved everything. 

    Have you ever been to court ?  I have in my past and its stressful even when you win.  

    The thing here is to get your kids out of this situation otherwise they can turn ( would u blame them ) to violence themselves  and that's truly sad. 

    1. Physical attacks assault causing actual bodily harm.  POLICE AT FAULT
    2. Assaulted with a garden hose water jet whilst in my garden.   MINOR  
    3. Threats of violence ( don't go to sleep , I am going to rip your head off, we are sending the local crime family to *** you up, you can't hide in your house forever).   POLICE AT FAULT
    4. Personal verbal threats on our lively hood or physical status. NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN HERE but probably POLICE AT FAULT
    5. Abuse about my autism and name calling (mong, spakker, dumbo etc). HATE CRIME POLICE AT FAULT
    6. Criminal damage including pulling up plants in our garden and chopping heads of trees in our garden etc.    POLICE AT FAULT
    7. Trespass.    SOLICITOR JOB
    8. Flytipping on our land.    SOLICITOR JOB agian u need to see who is doing it and is a straight COUNCIL FINE 
    9. Vehicle parking to prevent use of our drive. POLICE AT FAULT
    10. Access to part of our land has been blocked by piles of stones and a barrier.   SOLICITOR JOB but would need too know who did this
    11. Untrue stories about my bad character being passed among other neighbours.  HEARSAY unless u get statements which is a "No"
    12. Open and publicly accusing me of being a pervert and a pedo ( all baseless I add).  MAYBE SOLICITOR unlikely
    13. Taking photographs of myself and my family and videoing myself and my family, whilst we go about our lawful business. SOLICITOR maybe   POLICE should be protecting kids !
    14. Fowl language whilst my son is present and threats to my partner and me whilst my son is present. MINOR

    sorry you and your family are going through this 

  • I apologize for unintentionally offending you.  But you can provoke neighbours by just behaving differently from them.

    It's a mad world out there.  I had plenty of problems with neighbors at my previous house, so I sympathize with you.

  • Hi 

    We are hard working law obiding people whom care about people our community and the environment in which we live. We are kind polite and courtesy is a significant part of whom we are.

    The gravity of the harrassment that we experience is particularly frustrating, as we believe ourselves to be good people and excellent neighbours.

    So in answer to your question, no, I firmly assert we have only committed the social crime of not being mainstream and being, quiet unassuming people, whom keep ourselves to ourselves and deal with all others with tolerance, open mindedness and thoughtful introspection.

    The ring leaders of this harrassment are regrettably very unpleasant people.

    I have come across incorrectly, if your assuming we provoke others.

    We have gone above and beyond to avert such vile behaviour!

    Being autistic i have experienced much bullying in my life and judged to be something that i am not, because I am not readable in the way normatrons seem to need. No, I don't provoke others my only crime is being socially blind and lack reprocity in the moment.

    I don't deserve to be harassed, bullied, discriminated against and assaulted.

    Nor will I keep checking myself against a standard that within normatron circles, is a language and a form of communication that, I can never understand, despite my very best efforts, to help them understand me !

  • Hi Mark,

    I'm pleased to see that so many people have been commenting with advice. You may like to contact our Autism Helpline team who can provide you with information and advice. 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/help-and-support/helpline 

    You can call them on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Friday 10 am to 3 pm). Please note that the Helpline is experiencing a high volume of calls and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an adviser. 

    Kindest regards,

    Eunice Mod

  • You have my sympathy, but when did all this start? Did you or your family behave in any way to provoke your neighbors?

  • What a kind statement,  thank you and I will visit each site - thank you

  • Dear Mark,

    I am a person with autism and mental health and this makes my blood boil to hear your story on what you have been through. I feel it is shocking the way you have been treated and proves in today's law system there need to be more innovation in supporting people with disabilities/mental health regarding looking out for hate crime because we cover more and more of the population as time goes on. Peter and Dawn have more understanding of the law compared to myself. I strongly stand with peter's points on how to handle this situation.

    I looked up these sites for you:

    stop hate crime UK: www.stophateuk.org/.../

    Hourglass: wearehourglass.org/physical-abuse

    For Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/disabilityhatecrimenetwork/about/

    Victim support: www.victimsupport.org.uk/.../

    Hopefully, any evidence you currently have could be voiced there.

    Please let me know how you get on and if you are in need of any more help.

  • Thank you and your time is appreciated 

  • Thank you and some sound ideas 

  • The other issues is the local PC it keeps getting passed to is in my view a nice fella but he isn't appreciating the seriousness of the collective behaviour. My truth is he makes me feel like he understands why these people are behaving how they do because of how I am ergo I am the problem ! Now being 50 I fully accept that I just can't do human relations but isn't that the whole point of the disability act et al legislation? Plus he keeps saying he understand me because his niece has autism; is it just me but I find that offence and to me demonstrates that he can't possibly know because he isn't autistic or me! Has he experienced such vile behaviour just because of whom he is ? Despite being a lively fella ? Treated like your something you are not because people can't understand difference or put me in a neat box? My truth is he feels sympathy for my situation but believes it is my fault for whom I am ? Not that their behaviour is criminal and brought about by a lack of understanding! 

  • Thank you for caring enough to take time to express your opinions as just knowing people have read my post is in itself a huge help. 

    On a practical level I am along the journey of stopping them with evidence gathering underway and have considered moving but it isn't an option. My partner has lived on this lane since she was born some 50 years ago. The imjuction idea is something I have looked into myself but other than litigating in person the cost of using a solicitor was huge and way out of our financial scope. 

    I guess the frustration is that the police won't investigate it they just arrive after our reports and appease both parties acting as a mediation service. Plus I am looking for more ideas in terms of this organisation or this person would be ideal and the steps needed. 

    As much as I am tremdously great full forall your support and suggestions I need more specific detail of ideas etc 

    The advocate idea sounds good but I can't find one despite trying it always seems I am close to the criteria for their specific service but not quite!

    We had one of  them turning up last night at 3am in a taxi directly outside our home and clearly drunk shouting up at our windows! It like they just feel they can bullying us without consequences and these people have jobs and children themselves!

    The psychology of them i am struggling to understand how people can be so horrid !

  • I lived in a rural cul-de-sac ,that had about 40 houses about 25 of theses where related and they used to do a very similar thing [gang up on families they considered different].One of theses was a local councillor which made things worse.

    On one occasion after the riot police where called ,the local paper did an article which renamed the road from Eden grove to evil grove.

    The only way is to record verbal abuse and record all activity as much as possible ,you need to get the police onside ,is it private or social housing ? You need evidence ,gather over a couple of weeks and when you have a good amount then go and see the police .

    I have lived in some real rough places ,some people will really take offence to you calling the police ,so it really depends who your neighbours are.

    Sometimes it is better to move and like you say this will affect your child in the end . 

    After all even if they do stop , do you really want to live around people like this ?

       

  • Oh further thought.  Have you rung the help line here.  Whilst they might not be able to give legal advice they might know where to send you to get it.

  • Hi Mark,

    As it happens, many years ago, I used to train police officers in legislation, victim care and all that...

    And, it's not rocket science to pick out a number of very clear crimes here, which are somewhat worse than just simple harassment.  It must be Hell for you.

    The trouble police face is they aren't there at the material time and they are often pushed to move on to other calls.. and stories of them missing things - happen. Somehow the evidence isn't getting through to them and the officers dealing may not understand how the autism might be interfering with the communication between you.  That's not to excuse their lack of support for you, just to say I see how that can happen...and we've known it happen before.  The lessons learned don't always filter through.

    Peter's advice below looks spot on to me, but it also sounds to me like you really need some one to advocate for you.  I wonder whether anyone else could recommend someone with some expertise in autism and the law to speak to the police on your behalf.  Perhaps, if they were to meet with a senior officer at the station with your evidence, it might knit the story together for them and change the attitude.  

    Oh and yes, Peter is right, you can yourself apply to the courts for an injunction...

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