Do we call the police?

[upsideup]

DSD's mum is not allowing her back to her house to collect her stuff, most of this was paid for by DSD or by us but some was bought for DSD by her mum.

DSD does have a key but her mum is rarely out of the house and she doesnt want to try to go in on her own just in case, sending anyone else would with DSD could cause more of a scene if her mums there.

Can we call the police to get her stuff? And do we need to able to prove what is dsd's and what we have paid for to be able to get it back?

The police will tell you its a domestic/civil issue and not get involved

Has your DH tried to talk to her about it?

There must be someone to negotiate this with before calling the police. If all else fails you could call 101 and they'll come to avoid a breach of the peace. As they lived under the same roof it'd be classes as a domestic.

DSD(who is 23) doesnt live with her mum, but up untill a few weeks ago was staying for a weekend every month to look after her siblings when mum was away.
Theres no negotiating with her, we've tried.

What is her mum angry about?

You need to see a solicitor. This is not a criminal matter.

Theft is a criminal matter, and in the UK the police are supposed to take domestic matters seriously. Call 101, someone is likely to make an appointment to report and arrange to accompany your DSD to get her stuff.

Could someone unrelated arrange mtg with the mum so she's out of the house then your dsd can get her stuff then?

How old are the other kids? Would there be something at school coming up - parents evening that type of thing?

Not a criminal matter but you and husband could go to the house with stepdaughter and stand there while the girl gets her stuff. She is entitled to her own property and if you don't actually do anything but just be there (to take the verbal flack maybe), you won't be doing anything wrong and problem will be solved.

I think her mum doesnt want her to actually have the stuff back as well as not wanting her to come in and get it, she's claiming its her's as its in her house and that she paid for it which I didnt make clear in the OP.
Maybe it would be best for us to just try and get it hoping nothing happens.

What does she actually need to get?
At the age of 23 most stuff like clothes etc you'd be buying for yourself.

Don't just go round there because it could escalate.

Get her to phone 101 and tell them what's happening and they hopefully will arrange for someone to go with her.

Most of it was paid for by her, its just been left at her mums house.
Main thing she needs is a camera and SD card full of footage, clothes/makeup and furniture isnt needed desperately and can be replaced but it is still her stuff

The police are not your personal body guards. They respond to criminal incidents. Which this isn't, unless DSD goes round and there is a punch up on the lawn causing a breach of the peace.

Its a civil matter. The police will not get involved.

Definitely worth ringing the police.

A friend of mine got locked out of her flat by her barking mad landlady. We called the police and they sent a couple of officers round to stand in the doorway for support while we rapidly took everything out to the van I'd hired. So in my experience, yes the police will get involved.

Technically it's a civil matter and the police will likely not get involved (will depend on any backstory)
There are civil routes you can go down, the police will then look at getting involved if these don't work.
Police will accompany you to the house if there has been recorded DA or you have conditions on you not to enter the property. IME this is normally very much of a "when we have resources" nature and you can wait some time for it.

If you say it is likely to kick of then the police will attend at a specific time to prevent breach of the peace. Call them on 101 to arrange.