To think i should be able to call the police and not feel guilty about it?

[foxessoxes]

Parked outside my flat earlier- the gates to the complex are just by my door, so I cab quickly park by my front door and unload shopping. Left my handbag on the front seat, and had the car unlocked while I was in the house for less than a minute- cat was loitering in the hall so didnt want to leave the bags in her reach as she is quick as lightning getting into stuff.

2 kids (brothers) on bikes loitering about. Came back to my car to pick up my bag and to move the car, only to find it gone.

Parked up, and went and knocked on their flat. Pleasantly asked if they had seen anything as they were cycling about, got a mouthful of abuse from the mother and the door slammed in my face.

The thing is- she opened the door and in a split second I know I saw my bag sitting on their kitchen table (she opened the door wide and then when she realised it was me closed it part way so I couldnt see in). Im not even bothered about the money, but I have some medication of my goddaughters in there that she needs over Xmas- I went to pick it up for my friend this morning as she wouldnt of got there in time.

Now, this is the problem. This woman (the mother of the two boys) does have quite severve mental health problems. They arent getting much support but the flat is a mess and she clearly is struggling

My friend has pointed out by calling the police, it might mean that SS get involved and it would be a bit shitty at Xmas.

As shit as it is, im down a £200 bag, £40 odd in cash, cards and the medication and other things I have in my bag.

Surely I should be able to call the police without feeling guilty? AIBU?

[ImperialBlether]

Call the police for god's sake, before they get rid of it!

[Samcro]

of course you call the police.

[Alambil]

what's so bad about social care getting involved and the family getting the help they may need?

call the police. .. themail children stole and you need the things back

[OddSocksHighHeels]

They stole it. Of course you have to call the police!

[Alambil]

the children...

[notquitehuman]

Call the police. SS should get involved in these sort of cases. You might be doing the kids a favour.

[Withgraceinmyheart]

Yanbu. If the bag was in sight and she knows it yours, that's a pretty serious problem. It doesn't do the boys any favours to pretend it isn't.

I would call the police and report it.

[DontBuyANewElfCashmere]

Yes to being able to call police but the likelihood is they won't come out for some time and you won't necessarily get your stuff back.
Could you go over again and say if your handbag has been 'found' you'd be really grateful for it back, otherwise you'll have to call police? Might that work or are they really awful?

[SixtyFootDoll]

Def call the police, and if social services do get involved, sound like it would be for the best

[TimeToMuskUp]

Phone the police and never ever leave your bag again. I left mine in the boot while I did the school run and it got me a smashed rear windscreen, glass all over the DC's car seats and a right pain in the arse.

[hellsbellsmelons]

Is there a man you can call upon to get to you quickly so you can confront her properly?
I would call police without any hesitation TBH.
But they may not come quickly and with some male help you may be able to retrieve it.

[ohtheholidays]

OP please call the Police now,your friend is very wrong SS getting involved near Christmas wouldn't be shitty it sounds like it could be just what the family need!

Also if the Mum has MH problems,the Mum or one of the children in the household could take your goddaughters medication and become really ill or worse.

[whois]

Phone the police! And tell them you saw your bag in her flat.

[ohtheholidays]

Just spoke to DH he's a Police Officer he has said you really need to ring the Police now and tell them that you know they have your bag because you've seen it in they're home and make sure to mention the medication and the Mum's MH problems and that there are children in the house as they'll want to get there straight away to make sure no one takes the medication themselves!

[foxessoxes]

Phoned police. Will update when I can

[FlatOnTheHill]

Call the bloody police NOW. Their family issues are not yours. Id be kicking the door in.

[rainbowstardrops]

Bloody thieving toe-rags! Makes my blood boil when people take something that doesn't belong to them

[Sandbrook]

Your friend is bu trying to make you feel guilty.
Glad you rang the police, might be the best thing all round for this family.

[WoodleyPixie]

I'm glad you've called the police. If you are mistaken and the bag isn't there the
Police will just go away surely. And if the mum is harbouring her children stealing then they deserve to be investigated.

[goddessofsmallthings]

If the mother or her dc have got rid of your bag it will have been stuffed into a bin within a very short distance of your home. If the police are unable to recover your possessions it may be worth searching local bins yourself, perhaps with a torch after dark.

[ohtheholidays]

Glad you've phoned them OP,I hope they get it all sorted out quickly and honestly if the Police in your area don't look like they're make a call to SS about the family then I'd give them a ring as well.

[EvaBING]

They'll have gotten rid of the bag by now I'd say!
Fuckers.

[P1nkP0ppy]

Thieving little shits, sod whether or not the mother has MH problems.
If you let them off scot free then they'll carry on stealing.
Makes me furious.
Hope you get everything thing back, unfortunately your insurance won't pay out because you left the car unlocked 😕

[Fairenuff]

A crime was committed. Why would you not call the police?