What are a resident's rights in this case?

Question

I'm in the UK.

The local Jehovah's Witnesses have visited several times and handed us magazines.

A letter was sent to ther Kingdom Hall requesting - in an incredibly polite and civil way - that the visits and the magazines stop.

However, since then, we have been visited twice in two days ~ the second time they brought the actual letter which requested them not to come, therefore ignoring our 'un-invitation', which I find frankly discourteous.

If they come again, I'd like to resolve the issue quickly.
What steps, under UK law, can I take now?

Answer 1

Hi Prof,

The law is quite specific on this.

They have the common law right to follow their calling and knock on your door.

You may then ask them to leave. You must make it clear that you do not require their services and further visits are not required.

You must then allow them a reasonable time to leave your property.

You have a common law right to the quiet enjoyment of your property.

If they call back again that is trespass and if they do not leave you may use reasonable force to remove them.

You are protected by the Protection from Harrassment Act 1997

If they make more than two visits as individuals to your house uninvited after being told not to they can be arrested for harrassment. If there is more than one person, then more than one visit is enough. (Sect 7 of the 1997 Act).

If they are arrested and convicted they can be sent to prison for a maximum of 6 months, a fine not exceeding £5000 or both.

You can take out an injunction at common law if you wish.

You can place a sign at your gate forbidding access to them. To ignore this sign is also trespass.

Hope this clarifies the law for you.

Good luck

Answer 2

I'm not sure that a Court would be minded to grant an injunction, but you could ask a solicitor that gives a free half-hour consultation, which most do. Your solicitor could also advise on the laws relating to trespass.

I'm sorry that you are in this situation.There is nothing worse than unsolicited visits, which amount to harassment. You could ask the community relations deparment of your local police for their advice on this matter.

Best wishes, J

Answer 3

I am curious as to the intent of the visit when they brought your letter. I know here in the US you can be put on a do not call list.

It is possible they came to make sure the letter was valid and then put you on such a list.

Answer 4

It would seem that this questioner perhaps omits (or misrepresents) some relevant information about his situation.

Jehovah's Witnesses simply have no interest in working to needlessly antagonize their neighbors. In most areas of the United States and Europe, each congregation's goal is to visit each home in their territory at least twice each year (although in a few metropolitan areas their visits may be as frequent as weekly).

Since they try to knock on every door at least twice each year, there is little incentive for Jehovah's Witnesses to delay or obsess over a particular door, especially if it may alienate or anger the householder.

It is interesting that Jehovah's Witnesses engage in their ministry without regard to their personal benefit, but instead in obedience to Christ's command and in expression of their love for God and neighbor. In fact, Jehovah's Witnesses would go from door-to-door even if there were no hope that anyone would change their religion, or even if no one would listen to them!

That is because Jesus Christ specifically assigned the house-to-house ministry to the Christian congregation, with no regard for specific results.

(Luke 10:1,2) After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. 2 Then he began to say to them: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to direct attention to the bible, and move on when their message is unwanted. Since each congregation in the United States tries to call at every home in its territory at least twice each year, there is strong motivation for them to move on where little interest is shown. Also, the Scriptures help the Witnesses to expect little interest from most:

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching ...and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

Answer 5

put a no trespassing sign in your yard next to the walk
and if they keep coming call the police and report them as trespassers and request the police to stop them from coming on the property

Answer 6

The best way to keep JW's away is to tell them you are disfellowshipped. They aren't allowed to talk to people who are disfellowhipped. Or in the states they have something called the "Do Not Call" list. Ask to be put on that.

Answer 7

In the UK,I believe that you can have them arrested for religious harassment.Call your local Police and see what yours rights are,then pursue charges.

Answer 8

If you lived here in America, you could use your 2nd amendment right to bear arms to stop their first amendment right to free speech and religion. :-)

Just kidding...but I'm sure that you {still} have the right to privacy and freedom from harassment in the UK? If not, then I don't know what to tell you. Convert, maybe?