WIBU to report this/What will police do?

[OreosAreTasty]

DH works in a restaurant.
Finished work at 5, at approx 5 past 5/10 past 5 he was coming out of work and witnessed a mum and dad(calling them that for ease- of course they may not be the parents) with 2 children hit at least one child.
DH was walking past and heard what sounded like a whip crack, turned to see child in the back of the car cowering, mum leaning over with her sandal in hand. both kids were in the back of the car.
DH stopped and continued to watch. Mum then proceeded to hit child again in full view of DH. Dad was laughing throughout all of this
they (Mum and dad) then got into the front of the car and drove off.
the children were very distressed,crying and upset.
Side note that may not be very relevant,but DH saw them while in restaurant, kids seemed relatively quiet, parents were very very arsey with the waiter (Not DH, but waiters always step out into the kitchen for a quick rant if they have someone particularly arsey)
DH has got some details, time of incident, rough description, estimated ages of children (3-4 and between 5-7).
Incident may have been caught on CCTV also. I really want him to report, DH wants to report but one of DH's co workers (who DH was walking with) thinks its ok and they've just had a bad day with the kids.
i'm also worried about what the police would do? I wouldn't want to make it worse for the little uns :(

[ElsaAintAsColdAsMe]

The number plate would have been a good thing to get really.

I'm not one for reporting every tiny thing but in this case I would. I've had a lot of bad days with my dc and never raised a hand to them let alone hit them with a shoe. If they do that on public there's no telling what they do behind closed doors.

I really think he should report this.

[WorraLiberty]

< Sigh >

Do you really need to be told to phone 101?

That's if he took the car registration of course.

[JackieAndHyde4eva]

I would. Youre not allowed to use anything other than your open hand to assault your children.

[OreosAreTasty]

No, I don't need to be told as such was just wondering if police wouldn't take it seriously as 'the parents were having a bad day' (as DH's co worker thought)
I thought I'd mentioned he had the reg and desc of car too. sorry, fuzzy brain today i need coffee
I also don't want the police to sweep it under the rug

[Sneeze182]

Report, poor children :(

[Motherwithflaws]

Please tell the police.

[TheCatsWhiskers]

I wonder that he didn't call them there and then, what was he thinking?!

[OnlyEatsToast]

It's assault. Please report

[TheCrumpettyTree]

Why would they sweep it under the rug?

How is not reporting the better solution here?

[abbinobb]

It's illegal to hit your kids with a shoe bad day or not.

[OreosAreTasty]

Same reason he didn't want to say anything, had he called while next to them they would've heard and possibly been aggressive towards him.
I like having my rather weedy DH in one piece tbh.
I always thought general advice was to report a crime in progress if safe to do so, if not wait until you're safe to report, surely?

[TheCrumpettyTree]

Think about what's best for those children. Not reporting isn't it.

[Goingtobeawesome]

Obviously ring the police. They do that in public, they do worse in private.

It's not for you to second guess whether the police will take it seriously or not.

[Goingtobeawesome]

Shame he was more concerned for himself than two defenceless kids. I get its scary but think about those kids. Too many have died because adults didn't want to get involved.

[TheCrumpettyTree]

It's not up to you to decide what the police would do. Nothing would get reported if that was the case. Your logic makes no sense.

[Okay377]

Report it. The police can then decide how serious it is and what action to take. You don't need to worry about that.

[Ivorbig1]

It's up to police to decide if what your dh has described is serious enough to act on, I'd report it but without the reg number what is the likely hood of the family (?) being found??
Yanbu. Spiteful behaviour by the adults

[shazzarooney999]

Ring them, I always think if people can do this out on the street then what on earth do they do at home? you effectivley could save a baby p situation by reporting.

[Orda1]

I do think you're being a but OTT.

People do smack theirs children (though I wouldn't).

[ElsaAintAsColdAsMe]

People don't smack their kids with a shoe in public while the other parent laughs. That's not a tap of the hand. That's abuse.

[mrgrouper]

Orda1 smacking with a hand as long as it does not leave a mark is legal (not that I agree with that). Hitting with a blunt instrument is most definitely illegal and is child abuse.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

If that's what's happening in public. One can only imagine what they're doing to the poor little mites behind closed doors.
I'd have no qualms at all about reporting the incident

[Orda1]

Just think it's a bit of a jump to assume it means serious abuse at home.

No harm in following it up but I'd be suprised if the police do much.

[TheCrumpettyTree]

Orda repeatedly hitting a child with a sandal is not ok.

[Noonesfool]

If a child at school disclosed this to me, I would have to report it to CYPS.

They would investigate.