Page 5 | For being terrified after visit from Nottingham Knockers?

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 2024-12-18T23:31:28+00:00

Was wfh today and expecting a parcel so when I heard a knock on the door I answered. A young man told me he was an ex con selling things door to door as part of a rehabilitation project and asked to show me what he was selling. Politely but firmly told him I wasn’t interested. Later told DP what had happened and we read about Nottingham Knockers. Planning to call 101 in the morning and the house is all locked up but quite worried as we don’t have a security system, it’s our first home and we moved in only three months ago. I’m going to see if I can get a ring doorbell sorted over the next couple of days but we are going away on Monday for Christmas and I’m terrified the house will be broken into. Does anyone have any advice / reassurance? We are young, in our 30s, and I was quite obviously wary in speaking to him, so I’m not sure we’d really be a target (apparently they target the elderly / vulnerable / anyone willing to hand over cash on the doorstep) but quite frightened.

DreamTheMoors · 19/12/2024 00:36

@thesecondmrsdewinter20

I’m in California, so a long ways from you, but I have a “security screen door” on my front and back doors.
It’s a metal security door that has ‘screen door’ features, like you can leave your main door open in the spring and summer for the breeze — but it’s heavy and has a deadbolt that securely locks.
I’m probably not describing it properly but I can talk to strangers through it while feeling properly safe and secure.
I didn’t know they existed until we moved here and the previous owners had installed them on both doors.
You can find them at any hardware or building supply store. They range in price from £150 to £1500, I think.
I know the uneasy feeling of talking to strangers who make you feel uncomfortable. I never open the security doors unless I know who I’m talking to.

user1492757084 · 19/12/2024 00:35

Are you far from Sherwood Forest?

BibbityBobbityToo · 19/12/2024 00:34

Get a couple of timer sockets/Alexa thingies and put you lights on a timer for when you're away. If they are (unlikely) planning to break in, they aren't likely to target you if they think you are at home.

user1473878824 · 19/12/2024 00:29

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/12/2024 00:17

Thank you, the problem is we don’t have cameras or any sort of security system, and I would have appeared to be a lone female. Beating myself up for not having sorted a security system yet; we bought the house only 3 months ago. Feeling stupid now.

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Well, same here and the four or five times they’ve knocked here they have been polite and friendly, I’ve said a polite and friendly no and then no one has ram raided the house at 3am trying to steal my lone female belongings.

GoldsolesLugs · 19/12/2024 00:29

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/12/2024 00:05

111 is the NHS advice line. 101, which I referred to, is the number for non urgent police inquiries, which the police themselves suggest people use to report this sort of activity.

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Sorry, I misread. I still stand by my point and I didn't mean it as an insult or negative judgement (though I can see how it comes across like that).

Ella31 · 19/12/2024 00:27

I think people are being a bit harsh considering the reputation this group have. But it will ruin your Christmas if you keep worrying. Ring doorbells are a great idea, we just got one and they are really handy. I'd also look into getting a proper security system going in your home in general. And try not to worry. Have you neighbours you trust who could ask to keep an eye out while you are gone. The other side of it as well is you never know who or when this will happen, don't live your life in fear either. Your safety is far more important than items and as others have said, it's unlikely you'll be targeted.

Tandora · 19/12/2024 00:24

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/12/2024 00:11

You obviously haven’t been reading my posts or the link I shared which explain that it’s a way for criminals to plan future burglaries. This is actually one of my first ever threads on this site, I’ll go back to lurking after this! People are so judgmental.

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People are so judgmental.

It’s because you posted on AIBU! It’s what this board is for 😘

AffIt · 19/12/2024 00:24

"Beating yourself up' and 'feeling stupid' - FFS, OP, you must see you're massively overreacting here?

ilovesooty · 19/12/2024 00:24

I live on my own in a house. I bought it 6 years ago and don't have a security system, so there's no need to feel stupid about it.

Burglars go for all sorts of houses for different reasons and many burglaries are opportunist crimes driven by substance misuse. There's really no reason to surmise that this experience has put you at particular risk. If anything if you wfh many burglars would target somewhere else.

samarrange · 19/12/2024 00:23

YANBU to feel nervous about crime for a while after being reminded first-hand that it exists. But your risk of being burgled is probably no different after this visit to what it was a week ago. 🙏

QueenCamilla · 19/12/2024 00:23

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 18/12/2024 23:59

I mean, I’m reassured that you don’t think it’s an issue but I do think you’re being a bit harsh! The police haven’t issued warnings about the gas man or the door to door leaflet dropper.

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I was sexually assaulted by a gas man, so I wouldn't rush to be lulled into a false sense of security there...

Getting a door camera and not answering to random male visitors is the most sensible course of action.

Whiskeyandkittens · 19/12/2024 00:23

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/12/2024 00:17

Thank you, the problem is we don’t have cameras or any sort of security system, and I would have appeared to be a lone female. Beating myself up for not having sorted a security system yet; we bought the house only 3 months ago. Feeling stupid now.

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It's not stupid, we only got cameras AFTER DH had his car stolen from outside our house! Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

At least this has made you think more about security before anything actually happens (and will be a deterrent to prevent anything happening also!)

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 19/12/2024 00:22

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/12/2024 00:17

Thank you, the problem is we don’t have cameras or any sort of security system, and I would have appeared to be a lone female. Beating myself up for not having sorted a security system yet; we bought the house only 3 months ago. Feeling stupid now.

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There's nothing stupid about your response, but since this guy got under your skin, perhaps you would feel safer with a security system. Especially if you're used to being in a flat with a door buzzer system. Some people in London houses call out of an upstairs window if they aren't expecting a visitor, but I wouldn't do that because I hate other people doing it to me!

FlickeringFairyLight · 19/12/2024 00:22

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Friendofdennis · 19/12/2024 00:22

sorry you are terrified. It’s annoying that people are telling you that you shouldn’t be terrified when that is how you feel

Original poster

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/12/2024 00:20

Kitkatcatflap · 19/12/2024 00:19

30's isn't young.

I meant in the context of not being elderly and vulnerable, but this is quite uncalled for 😂

OP posts:

Kitkatcatflap · 19/12/2024 00:19

30's isn't young.

Original poster

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/12/2024 00:19

Edingril · 19/12/2024 00:17

Do you usually get terrified over small things?

🙄

OP posts:

Polyp0 · 19/12/2024 00:18

What, do he's not actually from Nottingham?

Why have you called him a Nottingham knocker?

Original poster

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/12/2024 00:18

Whiskeyandkittens · 19/12/2024 00:17

You haven't given any reason to suggest you're particularly burglable (is that a word?) So I wouldn't worry.

Also no point calling the police after so long - if you called while he and potentially others were still in the area they may have sent an officer to see if they could catch up with them and have a word but it's a bit late for that now unless they had a vehicle you managed to get the number plate for, or any other line of enquiry.

Edited

Thanks, that’s a good point. I wish I’d called earlier!

OP posts:

Original poster

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/12/2024 00:17

Delphiniumandlupins · 19/12/2024 00:15

I can't see why your interaction with this cold caller would make you a target for a burglary. If he was casing the joint you're probably safer now - you are young, healthy, with a partner, don't obviously have cash in the house, likely to have cameras and security etc

Thank you, the problem is we don’t have cameras or any sort of security system, and I would have appeared to be a lone female. Beating myself up for not having sorted a security system yet; we bought the house only 3 months ago. Feeling stupid now.

OP posts:

Edingril · 19/12/2024 00:17

Do you usually get terrified over small things?

Whiskeyandkittens · 19/12/2024 00:17

You haven't given any reason to suggest you're particularly burglable (is that a word?) So I wouldn't worry.

Also no point calling the police after so long - if you called while he and potentially others were still in the area they may have sent an officer to see if they could catch up with them and have a word but it's a bit late for that now unless they had a vehicle you managed to get the number plate for, or any other line of enquiry.

Manxexile · 19/12/2024 00:16

Bogginsthe3rd · 19/12/2024 00:07

I read about the Nottingham Knockers in Viz recently.

Are they a different type of "Knockers"?

Delphiniumandlupins · 19/12/2024 00:15

I can't see why your interaction with this cold caller would make you a target for a burglary. If he was casing the joint you're probably safer now - you are young, healthy, with a partner, don't obviously have cash in the house, likely to have cameras and security etc