I live in a fairly quiet cul-de-sac so I can only imagine what people in cities and on estates have to deal with.
Looking out of my bedroom window yesterday afternoon I saw 2 local boys (about 10 years old) accidentally kick a football into an elderly neighbour's garden. It was about 5pm so it was almost dark. The neighbour was either out or ignoring the knocks at the door. The boys threw stones at the windows, tried three different ways of climbing into the garden, and when they realised if they climbed in they wouldn't be able to climb out again, they spat over the fence and broke 3 bits off the fence. I am in no doubt they will be back.
These are the same kids who will be around tomorrow trick or treating. If they think I am ignoring them they are bound to do something to my car / house / fence / garden. If I open the door I have to give them something. Why should we have to reward such menaces?