Family fears for safety after car vandalised, house egged in bitter neighbour feud

A family in Melbourne’s southeast says an ugly feud with their neighbour is driving them out of their home. See why they are feeling unsafe.

A Narre Warren mum says she fears for her children’s lives amid an ongoing feud with her neighbour who allegedly egged their house, vandalised their car and threatened the family with a knife.

The mother of three, who didn’t wish to be named due to safety concerns, has lived in the Berwick Springs Estate for almost eight years, where her children have grown up.

Now, the family feels they are being driven out of their home amid a bitter feud with their female neighbour.

The mum told the Herald Sun the fallout between the pair began in November last year, when the neighbour allegedly tormented the children while they played on the trampoline in the backyard.

“The neighbour behind us started spraying water and throwing oranges at them,” she said.

Since then, the neighbour’s behaviour appears to have become more extreme, with her malicious acts against the family allegedly ranging from vandalism to assault, particularly in recent weeks.

A bitter feud between neighbours has left a Narre Warren mum fearing for her safety. Picture: Supplied

The family returned home one day to find their car covered in what's believed to be dog faeces. Picture: Supplied

About a fortnight ago, the family’s house was egged, with pictures showing shattered egg shells and egg-yolk stains on their front door and garage roller door.

The mum alleges the following morning, about 1am, the neighbour returned to the house with what looked like a butter knife, with photos capturing the woman waving the sharp object, before spitting in the homeowner’s face.

It’s understood the family reported the incident to their local police station later that day. However, when they returned home that afternoon, they found one of the family’s cars vandalised.

“We found our car parked on the street completely smeared with dog excrement and gravel,” the mum said, noting the incident scratched her car.

Two days later, the parents discovered their car tyres had deflated due to a damaged valve core.

After several reports to police, an intervention order (IVO) was finally put in place to protect the Narre Warren mum.

However, the mum said she was the only one listed on the order, leaving her kids and husband vulnerable to the neighbour’s allegedly threatening behaviour.

“Given my top priority is the safety of my children, after all these incidents, I’m aware that their wellbeing is at risk,” the mum said.

“If they were to continue playing in the backyard, there’s a possibility that they might still face attacks, and the backyard neighbour wouldn’t face any consequences for it.”

The family’s car was scratched, while another incident resulted in slashed tyres. Picture: Supplied

The mum feels her kids are the centre of the bitter feud simply for being children.

“On several occasions when I was playing with my youngest child – who was one-year-old at the time – in the backyard, the neighbour behind us (started yelling) at us, simply because the baby emitted cheerful laughter,” she said.

“After speaking with our neighbours next door and discovering that they had also been subject to similar attacks over time, we collectively concluded that the neighbours at the back couldn’t tolerate the sound of children.”

Because of this, the Narre Warren local feels she can’t let her children play in the backyard in trepidation of what her neighbour may do to her family.

“After they targeted the children, we often chose to compromise by asking the kids to go back inside. This was mainly to shield them from hearing the neighbours’ foul language,” she explained.

“Additionally, there were instances where oranges and lemons nearly hit my children, leaving me deeply concerned about the backyard becoming a hazardous place to play.

“However, with three children, particularly the two youngest just one-year-old and a little over 7-years- old, they need outdoor activity in the backyard, especially while I attend to do housework.”

The family was shocked to find their house had been egged overnight. Picture: Supplied

Egg stains remained on the garage door and front door of the family's house. Picture: Supplied

The mum explained she’s grown frustrated regarding the little support she’s received from authorities, and is now looking to move houses.

“I constantly worry about my children’s safety in our own house. I’ve been forced to keep them indoors for extended periods or wait until I can take them to the park,” she said.

“In essence, the backyard has essentially turned into a restricted area. Everyone is extremely disheartened and anxious.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said investigators were probing the spate of alleged criminal damages, and arrested the woman earlier this month.

“Investigators arrested a Narre Warren South woman on 15 August and interviewed her in relation to the alleged incidents on 12 and 14 August,” she said.

“Three incidents are alleged to have occurred at the same residential address … this month.”

Police have not laid any charges.

Originally published as Family fears for safety after car vandalised, house egged in bitter neighbour feud