My predicament - it’s a long story

It sounds horrendous! Have you contacted Citizens Advice to see if they can do anything to expedite a move? Or possibly your MP? Are there other more rational neighbours that you can get together with?

When we had a problem with glue sniffers in the park opposite it was a senior police officer who spotted our (group) letter in a bin and started the ball rolling and eventually the matter was sorted. Write to anyone you can think of and hopefully one of them will have a conscience.

Oh my goodness, what a lot you have been through!
In your place I would be fighting to be moved, yet again.
You shouldn’t have to be the one inconvenienced but taking action against the type of people you are surrounded by will cause more trouble and extreme stress for you.
I wish you well.

What a horrible situation for you. Kamiso gives good advice. I would contact as many people as you can, Social Services, ask for a visit from the Council, Citizens Advice, the Police, your MP and anyone else you can think of.
Don't give up. Feel determined. You deserve better.
Good luck

Thank you for such supporting messages …..I thought maybe it was just me. I don’t have a lot of faith in MPs. My MP when the horrendous behaviour was going on was Tony Blair and I met him many times, he did nothing the grandson involved was that of his right hand man and his agent said he would visit me the ‘back end of next week’ two years on Blair’s Secretary sent me a letter saying ‘ hope you keep an occasional contact with the village when you leave’. That was the solution apparently, shut up or put up or better still move on. I had a visit from the police from a sergeant who had been my best officers mentor, much aggrieved that his protege was found guilty of forgery and who said’ if you don’t shut up we will pull the cameras and Make sure you get victimised’. The cameras were in a locked fireproof box with no tape in the machine as when incidents took place technical support had to come and open the box and said many times there’s no tape in here! Eventually after fighting Blairs council to be accepted onto a council list, my allotted council officer was taken off my case and the director of services stopped my application and told me he would deal with me personally, I did move on but it started again, it was that kind of place so I relocated and my social landlord is full of self praise. I rebuilt my life here as best I could and became the HA vice chair but resigned over their dubious policies, although I did do a lot of good whilst in office as I understand how important housing is to health and welfare.

I just want a quiet life and I fear that I’m now too old, too ill and too tired to find anywhere I can just live peacefully.

It doesn’t bother my husband too much as men move on much easier than women I feel and for the most part I suffered on my own as my husband was working in Northern Ireland and wasn’t accessible, involved or bothered too much by what was going on ‘back home’.
He always says ‘ you shouldn’t lament losing everything, at least you got away, they are stuck there’! But that doesn’t really help.

I’m sorry, it has taken an awful lot to spill my ‘guts’ as I’m usually the person people ask to solve their problems, but I’m damned if I can fix this ongoing misery.?

No advice but I am sorry, it sounds just dreadful.

I am really sorry that you’re in this horrid position ?

Thank you both
at least that gives me hope I’m not losing my mind

sounds awful, but sheltered housing has been offered or have I read it wrong?
my dad had a nice sheltered housing flat with a communal room etc, he had outings and other social activities if he wanted to participate, you don't need any more stress, I would look into it if its available to you, blessings

Why not cut your losses and accept the sheltered flat the HA offered in Oxford? Maybe it isn't where you really want to live but it would give you a breathing space and some peace while you look for somewhere that suits you better.
I certainly think you will feel better almost anywhere but where you are.

would you be able to take the sheltered flat for the time being with a view to swap once you are there?

I would definitely take the sheltered dwelling, even temporarily. It's got to be better than where you are now.

Agree with others about the sheltered housing option. Not only will you be more likely to go into a quieter area which would hopefully help mitigate any PTSD triggers, but maybe the neighbours would be more like minded.

Is there a reason you have dismissed this option?

Mincub What has happened to you is appalling. Makes one understand why so many Labour seats have gone Conservative, including Blair's old seat.

I think you should seek all the help you can. But, while I have never been in a situation anywhere as troubling as yours, I did, when I worked with a community charity, meet people with housing problems caused by neighbours etc and I would try and discuss with them what solution to their problems was in their best interest, as distinct from the solution they most wanted - and there is a difference.

You may find, that what is in your best interest, is a home away from where you are now, possibly near your son, even though it is not ideally what you want.

What a nightmare for you.
I'd definitely look seriously into taking the sheltered flat. If nothing else there should be some support for you built in, plus you'd be near your son.
You've had enough aggravation to last a lifetime Mincub, time you had some peace of mind x

I've had experience of dreadful neighbours, my windows have been smashed a few times, intimidation etc. It took over a year for me to get them evicted, the housing association were useless. They fob people off as it is easier.

I'm still weak from that, 2 years later and I don't have the strength to fight anyone again.

However, my experiences were easier than yours and I'm not surprised you haven't got the energy.

Some people aren't reasonable and don't care about others. A good parent would know what their 6 year old is up to, so my feeling is speaking to their mum won't work.

Unless you've lived near horrible people, you can't begin to imagine what's its like and it's puts your life on hold. There isn't enough support for people who are victims of anti social behaviour. It really is hell and its like dealing with a differnt class of people.

You need to get out. It will not get better. As others have said maybe the sheltered accommodation is the best option at the moment. Is there no opportunity to rent a bungalow in a complex where only over 50’s are allowed? We have a lot of such properties in our area for sale but IDK about rent. Could be worth investigating.

Take the sheltered flat quick as you can. There will be many behind waiting for that so don't lose out, they will withdraw the offer if you delay.

It is truly shocking how you have been treated. I can only offer sympathy and agree with everyone above.
Neighbours like these are like dealing with a pack of hyenas. I don't blame you for having no energy left to deal with it.
Good luck.
If you do stay try the MP route again you may have a good egg this time.

With the Oxford link i thought Churchill appropriate -
"When you are going through hell, keep going!".
Don't let them win it's your life.

Was your husband happy with the sheltered housing?
Personally I’d jump at it as there will be no ball games over your car.

You say your husband doesn’t really bother with the incidents. Can you talk to him and get some support there?

What is your son’s opinion of what’s going on?

Thank you, I’m overwhelmed by the kindness and the caring messages I’ve received here.
Smashing of windows or as the savages prefer to say ‘putting your windows out’, has been particularly bad in the past. 28 bricks and bottles in 24 days. Over Christmas once 13 bricks in 4 days some 3 or 4 times a night all through the night. This was costing me up to £1000 a bay window, once only in for 10 minutes before it was out again. In the end I got them boarded up and lived in the dark. One occasion when a gang of youths ran round the house smashing every window, in the doorway of the pub opposite men came out and cheered and applauded, yes men not youths!
Such was the mentality, I had Die Bitch painted on the front door and my windows shot out by ball bearing guns and boys of 13 or so sitting on the wall with a gun in one hand and a can of beer in the other, in broad daylight but nobody cared.

When the police came I was told ‘you wouldn’t even warrant a visit if you lived in Middlesbrough or Liverpool with this triviality’ which I know is totally untrue.
It was all done in the name of blame the victim, which is the easiest course of action.
I had people come to me and say behind their hands it’s always been like this here. I said they can’t smash everybody’s windows every night forever, we have to stand together, but no one stands with you…you stand alone and become a recurring victim, victimised for calling the police and by the police. I had some good officers, and they said ‘our hands are tied, but we know what goes on.’!

I have today spoken to Housing who have said my position has been re- evaluated and I am adequately housed. So I’m back at the end of the queue. My MP - aptly named Mr. Cleverley has not replied to any of my letters as yet. That’s not clever!
I won’t hold my breath…but I might buy a gun……..sorry that was gallows humour! It’s all I have left!

I think your only option is to try to get a private rental. I'm sorry for what you are suffering. I feel very lucky.

Then you only have the Oxford Sheltered Housing to go to?

I would accept quickly and get clear away from the area you are in.

Thank you for al, your good wishes and for really caring, I’m going to really concentrate on getting out one way or another Ive had enough for one lifetime …I can see the only way is to leave them to each other and get out any way I can.
You can’t reason with them ….they’re from another planet

You poor thing... I know the torment of horrid neighbours. In the past, though, but my answer was to move. I now have CCTV which is good. Because these neihbours from hell hate being filmed. Or anyone knowing what they are up to. I do have nice neighbours now though. I was wondering as others did, about your renting privately. Or looking at mobile home communities for the over 55s. Park homes can be quite spacious and usually have a garden which you can make your own. You can live next to me anytime. You sound really lovely and thoughful