Good fences makes good neighbours? Only if they're 6ft thick

I've lived in my little house for 19 years next April and I love it and yes I have six foot fences all around except for the front yard. I moved in here with my Mum when she was getting sick and the neighbourhood was peaceful and quiet yet still close to shops and everything we needed. Bliss.

Then about two years ago a family moved in next door. They're loud, rude, aggressive, often violent and that's on their good days. I hate to come across sounding like a snob but I've seriously never met a more feral group of people.

Last New Years Eve they tried to attack my husband in the front lawn - fortunately he's in the security business and can easily take care of himself but still! They've let down our tyres, kicked in panels in our cars and there is near constant verbal harassment.

Nor are we their only victims, many of the neighbours have suffered at their hands, some of whom are quite elderly. They're like a single family wrecking machine turning a formally quiet neighbourhood into a war zone with constant police visits and yet the police, beyond booking them then set them free doing little more than placing them on probation or bonds. In other words, nothing.

I've had people suggest that we move but why should I uproot my whole life for this one family? And as I say I am not the only one and not everyone is financially in a position to move.

I'm only having a little rant because they had one of their in-house brawls in the front yard this morning at 4AM so I'm a little tired and a lot fed up. I shall just have to keep reminding myself that nothing lasts forever and there are too many other things in my life to be grateful for to allow these people to get under my skin... it just might take a bit more coffee to get to that stage.

Rant over and thanks for listening,
Cheers
Trace