My mother and I moved into our street around 1998 a year later my little sister was born. A few years later the neighbour in question moved in directly across the road from us with her daughter. We haven't had much trouble with this neighbour until recently. Her daughter who is now a 14 year old started picking on my 11year old sister while out with her friends from high school. One day the 14 year old and her friends where in her mothers house, knocking on the window and sticking their fingers up at my younger sister. When my mother went outside to see what was wrong with my sister, the 14 year old and her friends started to do it to her so she decided to wait for her mother to return from work and let her know what was happening. As my mother planned, when my neighbour returned from work my mother crossed over to speak to her but, and I quote, my neighbour "is no interested" in what my mother had to say and told my mother to spend more time with my younger sister, even though my mother only works a Saturday and Sunday where I babysit, so she is there all throughout the week.

This was the start of our problems. Ever since that day our neighbour- the 40 year old woman- has decided to bully my 11year old sister. She watches her out the window when she is trying to play, she calls her "fatty", says that nobody likes her and is constantly intimidating her. My mother and I have both told my sister to ignore her and stay out her way because every time we try to confront she starts an argument. Because my sister has stopped getting so worked up about my neighbour picking on her (which has gone on for months now), my neighbour has decided to start watching my mother and I aswel. I have had to buy a new blind for my bedroom as I can't open my curtains without her staring in my bedroom window from hers and we can't even open the front door without her running to the window and watching us. When she was confronted about it by another neighbour in the street she claims that she is not looking in my windows, she claims she is watching my neighbours in case one of them takes a bad turn during this weather.

I have been advised to speak to the police as it is anti-social behaviour but I am unsure if it would be classed as wasting police time. Is there anybody else I can speak to in order to get help with the situation and so my little sister can be comfortable playing in her front garden again?

Talk to the police... let them decide if it's a waste of their time or not. That's a good start.

THere are also laws in some places pertaining to bullying. It helps to know what state and possibly city this is located. You may have more options depending on where you actually live.

You should talk to the police dept. and just make them aware of what's been going on in the neighborhood.

I would also keep a written log (dates/times/occurences) in case you need it in the future.

Get a camera and video tape what's happening. Bullying is becoming a hot topic and the police are being more attentive to it.

I deffinetly agree bullying is becoming such a hot topic and I know how concerened you are about you sister things like this can scar a child.. lower self confidence in the future as well as the present. People like your neighbors really just ughh I have some words but I shouldn't say then I guess they don't honestly have an idea on how they affect other peoples live and they really don't care! So start recording this logging it down what ever what ever type of proof evidence you can share with the authoritys this is serious and shouldn't be tolerated.

Sounds like harassment, start with police and consider talking with a lawyer. Ultimately, moving away from the nut may help. My son suffered, as we lived between two bullies. Even though we protected him, the scars are permanent.

And the woman and daughter are probably bashing your sister at school and to other parents. Getting away from her is the best idea.