Well, earlier this week, they set about battering the roots with a pick axe and sledgie again. I decided I had to bite the bullet and go out. Needless to say they immediately started with the 'you called the police, you can eff off.'
I just told the lad to get his mother out here and suggest he stops doing what he was because you dont take a tree this size out from the bottom first in a residential cul de sac. After saying they had it all planned and intended to slowly 'guide' it down into the road, he eventually got her to come out.
We had a bit of a discussion where I expressed my concerns, not just for my property but hers, the neighbours and anyone who just happened to be walking past. I pointed out that while they hack away at it during the day, there's nothing to stop it coming down during the night onto their cars since there's no retaining ropes on it and what's left of the roots could pull out. I must say they then took off a lot of the upper branches after that, good job they did!
This morning, their 'man' turned up with with his chainsaw. Two lads had retaining straps on the upper branches although one had his hand in his pockets. And with a thud, the thing came down. Right onto the edge of my front lawn, about 12 foot from the front of my house and not where they were going to guide it! The lad with his hand in his pocket holding the retaining strap with his other was as much use as a chocolate fire guard.
Fortunately, it's done no damage but it would have done if they hadnt taken a lot of the other branches off. It fell 45 degress away from where these two clowns were supposed to be guiding it to.
All I can say is, thank goodness it's down, no one got hurt and nothing was damaged. But my god, talk about Science of Stupid!
What comes out of this? Well the local council do not want to know if there's no TPO and the tree isnt theirs. The Police, it seems, will advise if what they're doing is dangerous but stop them, I dont think they have the power. Insurance wise, if your neighbour's tree comes down and damages your property, you have to claim on your buildings insurance. Presumably, they try and recover from the neighbour's buildings insurance. Wouldnt surprise me if you see an increase in your next renewal premiums though.
In short, you're on your own and if you cannot persuade your neighbours to stop, you literally have to go legal or take action after the event.