Neighbours extension, threatening behaviour any advice please

[JoJo1969]

Hi, my neighbours are building a 2 storey extension and have taken down half of the dividing fence in the back garden and took over a 15'x5' strip of my patio without my permission. I told them to stop but they carried on and told me they are also putting up scaffolding leading from my patio to the front of my property along my drive. It ended in my friend parking his van on my drive then them threatening to smash up his van and threatening us saying we don't know who we are messing with. I reported this to the police on Friday, heard nothing. This morning behind their erected fence on my property they have cut along my patio slabs so I called the police again. They said they could do nothing about the trespass but would be in touch at some point regarding the threating behaviour. I'm flabbergasted this is allowed to happen and unfortunately I don't have the money to involve solicitors as I'm disabled and all my money goes on care.

Thank you for reading, I really hope someone can advise

[islandgirl]

Do they have planning? Get in touch with the council / your local councillor immediately. Hopefully someone else will come along with more ideas to help you

[atticus]

You can bring civil action for damages for trespass and an injunction to cease the trespass. Those are the legal remedies available to you.

Might you possibly have legal expenses insurance cover with your home policy?

[JoJo1969]

They have planning for their extension. I have a social worker at the council who came to see me last week. She had spoken with someone and assured me they couldn't erect scaffolding etc as it wasn't for repair. When I contacted her again saying what had happened she said if it was a council property they could of helped but as it's private that side it's more difficult. She has passed it onto someone else but they haven't been in touch and not replying to my calls

[JoJo1969]

I don't have home insurance or anything like that

[islandgirl]

Find out who your local councillor is and contact them directly in person. Do the council own your property?

[JoJo1969]

Yes, I moved to my bungalow 6 months ago. I will try and contact my councillor..thanks for my replies

I'm hoping leaving the van on my drive doesn't cause anymore threats. I'm not sure I should remove it and let them carry on. It's a bit scary to be honest.

[islandgirl]

I am sure it is. Awful that you are having to deal with this. The council should get involved as this impacts their property. You will need to keep at them to get action though and using your councillor is probably the best way. There is a local election this week so never a better time to get them to do something