Following a conversation with his neighbour who told him she'd call the police if she saw anyone using a hosepipe, a resident has slammed those who 'don't mind their own business'10:41, 24 Jul 2026A UK resident has slammed the attitude of his neighbour after learning she "will call the police" if she sees anyone using a hosepipe amid the current ban affecting several counties in southern England. Thames Water became the latest supplier to announce a hosepipe ban yesterday (July 23) impacting more than 10 million of its customers.‌The hosepipe ban prevents domestic and business customers from using a hosepipe for a whole host of things, from watering the garden to washing the car. Thames Water's move means around 18 million households and businesses are now subject to hosepipe bans in the country.‌"Has she lost the plot?" the resident fumed, before elaborating: "I had a slightly bizarre conversation with my neighbour this morning while we were both out the front of our houses."‌He continued: "The hosepipe ban came up, and she said that if she saw anyone on the street using a hosepipe, she'd call the police. I genuinely thought she was joking, but she was completely serious and said people need to be held accountable."The resident admitted it left him pondering more about the "etiquette of it all" rather than the ban itself.‌He closed by asking others if they would do the same. "If you saw a neighbour using a hosepipe during a ban, would you actually confront them or report them?" he added."Or would you just assume they might have an exemption, be using a different water source, or simply mind your own business?"It feels like there's a line between wanting people to follow the rules and actively policing your neighbours. I'm curious where most people think that line is."‌It appeared many others felt the same with one Reddit user claiming "no-one has ever been convicted of violating a hosepipe ban"."Let her call the police, they won’t show up, and even if they do, there’s no chance of it ever going to court," they said.A second person pointed out: "I wouldn't report or confront them. There are lots of exemptions to the hosepipe ban, many of which cover vulnerable people. Not interested in making vulnerable people feel more at risk over a hosepipe."‌A third shared: "My neighbour came back from holiday and she filled little kiddy pool for her daughter. Naughty, naughty. But I don't care. Won't be reporting her. I like my neighbours."While a fourth hit out: "Complete waste of police time just because of a snotty neighbour. They shouldn't call it a 'ban' because it sounds illegal and encourages people like your neighbour."Others, however, backed the neighbour's stance, including one individual who recalled: "Not sure about police but in the last ban last year I saw our neighbour running a hosepipe to water his grass and I leaned over the fence and told him they were banned. He said he didn't know it was still going and immediately stopped. So having a polite word isn't always a big problem if you're on good terms with your neighbours."‌Use our interactive map below to check whether your area is under a hosepipe ban:Helen Wakeham, Chair of the National Drought Group and Director of Water at the Environment Agency, said the astonishing lack of rainfall is having a profound effect across the UK's industries.‌"Dry weather depletes our water, while the hot conditions mean we use more of it," she explained. "This is a difficult combination, and we are seeing the effects on our farmers, our wildlife, and the amount available for public and business use."She added: "All sectors are taking action, and we are grateful to the public for following the restrictions, where in place, to make sure there is enough water for everyone this summer. We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated during the hot weather but every drop we can save is a drop more for nature and agriculture."Do you call police if someone is breaking hosepipe ban in the UK?No, you must not call the police if someone is breaking a hosepipe ban. The National Police Chiefs' Council and forces across the UK have explicitly warned the public not to call 999 or 101 to report hosepipe rulebreakers. Doing so diverts critical call handlers away from active emergencies and life-threatening situations.‌How to properly report a breachHosepipe bans are handled entirely by local water companies, not law enforcement. If you wish to report a breach, you must do so through the utility provider.Most water companies provide a confidential "Report a Breach" or "Water Misuse" web form directly on their official websites.Water companies generally use these reports to educate the customer or issue warning letters rather than handing out immediate punishments.Article continues belowCan you be fined for breaking hosepipe ban?Yes, you can be fined up to £1,000 for breaking a hosepipe ban. Under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, violating a Temporary Use Ban (the official term for a hosepipe ban) is classified as a criminal offence.Water companies rarely issue fines immediately and primarily rely on public cooperation and community compliance.First-time offenders usually receive a polite written warning or verbal reminder. Legal prosecution is saved as a last resort for individuals who repeatedly and knowingly flout the rules.