Every spring and summer Huntingdonshire District Council receives a lot of complaints about children playing ball games in public places.  This article explains our view and offers some advice as to how this issue may be tackled in your area.

Are ball games a problem?

Ball games are a lot of fun for the young people playing them, but can become a source of disturbance for others and so can cause a lot of friction in neighbourhoods that would otherwise be very peaceful.

Children have a right to play as well as a need to enjoy physical exercise and interaction with other youngsters.  Play is crucial to a child's development as a social, confident member of society and should be encouraged.  However, everyone has a right to enjoy their home and know that their property is safe and have a right to be treated respectfully.

Huntingdonshire is home to a lot of young people and has many open green areas that might seem ideal as a venue for a game.  Many of these green spaces are in residential areas and there is often only a small distance between greenery and residents' gardens, walls and garages.  This is why complaints can arise.

It is also very important to remember that even quiet residential roads are used by cars.  If a moving vehicle has to swerve to avoid either a ball or a child the results could be serious or even fatal.

Football and other ball games are NOT anti-social behaviour.  In most of the complaints we receive it is not the playing of ball games that is the problem, rather the manner in which they are conducted.  The key to tackling this conflict is to reach a compromise that satisfies everybody.

Younger children playing a game of football with an air-filled plastic ball are less likely to disturb because they simply do not have the strength to hit a ball very hard.  For example, if an eight-year old accidentally kicks a 'beach'-style ball at a window, annoying though this may be, it is unlikely to cause damage.  However, if a twelve year-old hits a leather football, cricketball or tennisball at a car or window there is a risk of damage and any victim would, understandably, be upset.

Action that residents can take

If residents are to be able to live without worrying about their property and possessions, older children and those playing with leather or heavy balls should be encouraged to take their games to larger, more appropriate green areas or playing fields, where they can play ball without upsetting others.  Games using hard balls such as cricket balls or golf balls, such be avoided in residential areas or where there is a risk of causing damage to property, such as windows and vehicles.

Some parents are concerned that their children are not safe when away from the house unsupervised.  One solution could be to set up a rota so that concerned parents take it in turns to go to a nearby park or  playing field with the local children.

Tips for keeping the peace

Footballers, Sports People and Parents
please remember:

• Respect other residents right to a peaceful and safe environment.  Not everyone will enjoy your game as much as you.
• Big lads and lasses, if you’re having a match head to the park.
• If you have to play in the street, use a soft ball to prevent damage to your neighbours fences, gardens and cars.  Ask before retrieving play equipment.
• Where possible play outside your house not anybody else’s.
• Keep the noise and the ball down and do not let your game become anti-social.
• Don’t use foul or abusive language.
• Beware of your own safety and the safety of other road users.
• Small grassed areas outside homes may only be suitable for younger children.
• Respect the “No ball games” and “Considerate Use” signs.
• Parents, check where your children are playing and make sure other residents are not disturbed.
• Compromise, talk and agree with your neighbours on a time and a place for your games.

Residents, Spectators and Passers-by
please remember:

• Playing ball games is not anti-social behaviour.
• Respect people’s right to play in their own neighbourhood.
• Remember parents/guardians may wish their young children to play nearby.
• Expect, within reason, the noise of the children/youths playing after school, at weekends and in the evening.
• “No ball games” signs are a request not a bylaw.
• It is not illegal to play football on a grassed verge or open space.
• There may be only one grassed area for children to play safely in their own neighbourhood.
• Sometimes it is better for young people to divert their energies into playing sport rather than doing other things.
• Compromise, create a dialogue, speak to your neighbours to find an agreeable time and location to play.
• Open spaces are for the use of everyone.

Action that the council can take

The playing of ball games is not against the law and as a result the Partnership will not be installing "No ball games" signs, as these are not enforceable.  However, ball games deliberately and persistently played recklessly and leading to property damage can be classed as anti-social behaviour, something that the Partnership takes very seriously.  In areas where serious nuisance and damage is reported we may install ‘Considerate Use’ signs, which as indicated warns that action under Anti-social behaviour Act 2003 can be taken with the support of those suffering distress or alarm from inconsiderate use.

We take a neutral, balanced view on the issue of ball games and expect residents to take responsibility within their own neighbourhood and work together to reach a compromise.  However, in EXTREME cases of DELIBERATE nuisance we may use our powers to intervene.

If you wish to make a report of SERIOUS nuisance please contact the Community Safety Team on 01480 388388.

Footballs Clubs and Facilities

There are also various football sessions which are run at the District Council's Leisure Centres.  Information is contained in the Leisure section of the District Council's Website under the link on Related Information on the right.

There are also various independent football clubs which operate throughout the district, which children might be interested in joining.  Most of these can be found in the Yellow Pages - see the link to Yell.com under Related External Links on the right, or by searching on the Internet.