We are 22 residents who live in nice area, but a group of 14-year-olds runs through our gardens under cover of darkness, smashing windows. The police are not helping. Apart from not sending anyone out, they have told me not to lay a hand on any juvenile. We have been talking among ourselves and want to know what rights people have to combat youngsters who behave like this.

• You have a right to expect police to act professionally. If they do not, you must send a complaint to the officer commanding the local station, and the Chief Constable. But in terms of citizen's arrest rights, be very cautious. The law is that a person who sees an arrestable offence taking place has the right to use reasonable force to apprehend the culprit. But if you have no witness to the offence or the manner of arrest, the youth and his mates could lie to make you look like a bully, or worse.

I would counsel against any such action. Better to get organised with camera, phones and neighbours to catch the offenders in the act, and use your eyewitness evidence and any photos to insist the police act. You can also get the local authority to ask the court for an Asbo. I want to contest charges

I live in the first phase of a private estate being built. Most units are houses, and there's also a block of flats. Do I have to pay a factor's fee? I own a house, and all the factor does is cut some grass in the communal strips. Secondly, are the three phases considered separate estates? I want to contest the hefty charges.

•The charges should be fairly applied, and clearly the flats need more attention than individual houses. The titles have a deed of conditions for the estate. Check this and see if there is any scope for complaining. Also, see the rules on getting residents together to change things, even to vote the factor out, though this will only be when the estate is complete and the developers no longer have a casting vote. As to phases, it solely depends on how the title deeds work - there may be separate rules for each phase or one for all. Caravan not fit for road

I bought a new caravan for around £18,000. Since then I have had to return it three times to have various faults corrected - 28 in total. I raised the matter with the manufacturer, who has advised that, although these are manufacturing issues, it is the dealer's responsibility to undertake the work to rectify these issues. Can you advise whether I am within my rights to request a replacement caravan or my money back due to it not being fit for purpose'?

•It has had three chances to repair. If it fails or refuses to do so, then yes, you can reject, though the longer you own it, the more difficult this is. But before doing so, see a local solicitor to go over all of the events, and get the trading standards office to investigate too. My worries over will

I want to leave all of my estate to cancer and other charities, but I've been told I cannot disinherit children.

•That is partly true. You can (and should) make a will, leaving it all to the appropriate bodies, but stating that if children seek a share, they are to get the minimum allowed by the law. You are a widow, so this minimum is a half of the moveable property - that is, everything except your house and any land, split equally among them.

DO YOU HAVE A LEGAL PROBLEM? Write to Austin at Evening Times Features, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB or e-mail him at: features@eveningtimes.co.uk