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A worried rant - someone keeps making false accusations against me

98 replies

LittleFlame · 08/04/2021 16:28

Just that really - not entirely sure what to do, but need to vent somewhere. Have NC as previous posts have mentioned the area I live or personal details.

We moved into our home three years ago. The first year went perfectly. In February last year, we got a letter from the council saying someone had made a noise complaint. We're not especially noisy and only share a wall with one neighbour, who is lovely and would have spoken to me directly. On further digging it related to a one off, loud late night party and screaming arguments in our garden. As it happened, whoever had called it in mentioned a specific date. We were at a wedding 200 miles away.

In April we had another letter saying we were putting building waste in our recycling. We weren't. Waste inspector from the council came round and again no problem.

In July, someone called the family services team at the council and said DH was mistreating our 1 year old DD - again, named two times where he was screaming and swearing at her in the garden, she was dirty and crying. I had a call from them while I was at work. They didn't mention specific dates but "last week" - we were on holiday. We chatted for a bit, I offered for them to come and see DD if they wanted but they said it wasn't necessary and closed the file.

In October we were woken up at 7am by an ambulance. Someone had called to say our child was in urgent need of medical treatment (unspecified). She was perfectly well and fast asleep. We woke her up, paramedics looked her over, were happy that she was well and OK and left. They said they knew the call hadn't come from us and the age of the child didn't match DD's age.

Three hours later, the police turn up. They've been called because someone said we turned away an ambulance and our child was sick. They saw her, were happy, and left. They did say they might have to refer onto social services but it has been 6 months and nothing further has happened, so I assume they didn't.

Last week someone called the fire brigade while DH had lit our firepit in the back garden so we could sit outside while it was chilly.

I really, really don't know what to do. We have an inkling of who it might be but no actual evidence to do anything legally - at this point if we sent a harassment warning, they could counter with the fact we have no actual evidence. I don't think the police could or would do anything. It feels like we're being targeted in our own home and it's escalating, sending emergency services to our house over and over seems mad. I'm dreading every day at the moment in case yet another thing kicks off and I don't know how we stop it.

OP posts:
saraclara · 08/04/2021 17:17

@Sanchez79

It might be worth calling the Suzy Lamplugh helpline for advice. This definitely falls within their 'FOUR' definition of stalking: Fixated Obsessive Unwanted Repeated
Oh, excellent idea.
Dishwasheverything · 08/04/2021 17:19

I've had a similar situation before having DC. My batshit neighbour put in a complaint to Environmental Health that we were allowing a rat infestation to go untreated, were hoarding rubbish and were illegally running a commercial plant nursery from our garden.

An officer actually came out to visit and found 3 guinea pigs, a tidy house and garden and a small 2ft by 3ft plastic green house with a tomato plant in it. Grin

Turns out the neighbour had a history of making false complaints going back years. She was eventually threatened with eviction by the council which calmed things down. I moved on after splitting with the ex, but I always wonder whether she started up again for his poor tenants. Sad

I would definitely report this to the police. I have a friend who is a community police officer and this type of thing is her bread and butter.

Flowers from me though because I know how horrible it feels to have an allegation made and services arrive at your door for no reason. Even though I knew we weren't running a rat breeding programme on a rubbish dump I cried and cried about it.

ThymeFlies · 08/04/2021 17:19

You don’t live in Plymouth do you?
We had something very similar happen. It got very nasty.
She was eventually arrested. This was 10 years ago, no idea what she is up to now.
It was a horrible experience, you have my sympathy.

HmmmmmmInteresting · 08/04/2021 17:21

I've read that two occasions is classed as harassment. If you can afford it get legal advice. Do you have legal expenses cover on your house insurance?

LittleFlame · 08/04/2021 17:22

@SheldonesqueIsAlmostHuman that’s horrendous, I hope you get your problems sorted Flowers

Thanks everyone. As much as anything else I think I needed the kick from internet strangers to know that I’m not overthinking things. 2-3 months between issues lulls me into a false sense of security.

About 10 years ago I was seriously assaulted by a male neighbour. The police bailed him, and he for a suspended sentence - I ended up moving because he continuously threatened me under the radar and the police response was “well we can’t make him move house.” So I also have form for not thinking the police can help, but I will call 101 this evening and get their advice.

OP posts:
DogsSausages · 08/04/2021 17:23

Surely the emergency services can trace who called them, I would call 101 and ask their advice, does your house insurance have access to legal advice.,

HalzTangz · 08/04/2021 17:26

@LittleFlame

Just that really - not entirely sure what to do, but need to vent somewhere. Have NC as previous posts have mentioned the area I live or personal details.

We moved into our home three years ago. The first year went perfectly. In February last year, we got a letter from the council saying someone had made a noise complaint. We're not especially noisy and only share a wall with one neighbour, who is lovely and would have spoken to me directly. On further digging it related to a one off, loud late night party and screaming arguments in our garden. As it happened, whoever had called it in mentioned a specific date. We were at a wedding 200 miles away.

In April we had another letter saying we were putting building waste in our recycling. We weren't. Waste inspector from the council came round and again no problem.

In July, someone called the family services team at the council and said DH was mistreating our 1 year old DD - again, named two times where he was screaming and swearing at her in the garden, she was dirty and crying. I had a call from them while I was at work. They didn't mention specific dates but "last week" - we were on holiday. We chatted for a bit, I offered for them to come and see DD if they wanted but they said it wasn't necessary and closed the file.

In October we were woken up at 7am by an ambulance. Someone had called to say our child was in urgent need of medical treatment (unspecified). She was perfectly well and fast asleep. We woke her up, paramedics looked her over, were happy that she was well and OK and left. They said they knew the call hadn't come from us and the age of the child didn't match DD's age.

Three hours later, the police turn up. They've been called because someone said we turned away an ambulance and our child was sick. They saw her, were happy, and left. They did say they might have to refer onto social services but it has been 6 months and nothing further has happened, so I assume they didn't.

Last week someone called the fire brigade while DH had lit our firepit in the back garden so we could sit outside while it was chilly.

I really, really don't know what to do. We have an inkling of who it might be but no actual evidence to do anything legally - at this point if we sent a harassment warning, they could counter with the fact we have no actual evidence. I don't think the police could or would do anything. It feels like we're being targeted in our own home and it's escalating, sending emergency services to our house over and over seems mad. I'm dreading every day at the moment in case yet another thing kicks off and I don't know how we stop it.

Get the police involved, they will be able to trace the 999 calls (ambulance, police and fire brigade). Also write to the council and explain everything you have put here, asking them to investigate the false claims made to them
ColourfulElmerElephant · 08/04/2021 17:26

This is definitely something to report to the police and bear in mind that there have are likely to have been other reports that the council or recipient hasn’t checked up on.

I’d also probably get cctv for outside so you have further evidence that what is being reported is a lie. I also wouldn’t rule out any of your neighbours as being responsible.

Icancelledthecheque · 08/04/2021 17:28

I’m glad you’re calling the police.

I did after two incidents and nothing happened after that. They were happy to provide a crime reference number in case it was to support a future allegation of harassment. They did take it seriously.

In addition to harassment there’s also wasting police time! I’m surprised it hasn’t been flagged up as such yet.

Good luck OP, it sounds absolutely awful for you.

AcornAutumn · 08/04/2021 17:39

Definitely get an investigation going

They could be done for harassment and wasting police time

Is it better if your DH deals with it? I know it's awful but it seems likely it will be taken more seriously. Also pass on details of your stalker.

One thing that strikes me - a troublemaker could have friends who will make the calls too.

I've got friends who were targeted in a similar way after they reported a neighbour for drink driving. He went straight for trying to get social services on to them for their parenting but then the police had a word with him and that stopped.

orangegina · 08/04/2021 17:42

Call the police

You'll probably get a bunch of pizzas and taxis turning up soon

AfterSchoolWorry · 08/04/2021 17:44

[quote LittleFlame]@SheldonesqueIsAlmostHuman that’s horrendous, I hope you get your problems sorted Flowers

Thanks everyone. As much as anything else I think I needed the kick from internet strangers to know that I’m not overthinking things. 2-3 months between issues lulls me into a false sense of security.

About 10 years ago I was seriously assaulted by a male neighbour. The police bailed him, and he for a suspended sentence - I ended up moving because he continuously threatened me under the radar and the police response was “well we can’t make him move house.” So I also have form for not thinking the police can help, but I will call 101 this evening and get their advice.[/quote]
Perhaps it's him (ex neighbour) ?

After all, he has a grudge in his own eyes.

HeronLanyon · 08/04/2021 17:51

Good you are reporting. Great advice above but please do NOT speak to the neighbour you suspect may be involved. Leave things to the police.
Make sure you get a named officer as contact and do not downplay anything as you describe the incidents.
If you haven’t already just do a proper list of dates and include those where you were elsewhere etc.

Sounds as though whoever is doing it if they don’t have some twisted motive has some mental health issue.

What you described includes offences.

Good luck op.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 08/04/2021 17:52

[quote LittleFlame]@SheldonesqueIsAlmostHuman that’s horrendous, I hope you get your problems sorted Flowers

Thanks everyone. As much as anything else I think I needed the kick from internet strangers to know that I’m not overthinking things. 2-3 months between issues lulls me into a false sense of security.

About 10 years ago I was seriously assaulted by a male neighbour. The police bailed him, and he for a suspended sentence - I ended up moving because he continuously threatened me under the radar and the police response was “well we can’t make him move house.” So I also have form for not thinking the police can help, but I will call 101 this evening and get their advice.[/quote]
To put it bluntly - if the police don’t deal with this then they may get more false calls. Ie they will be inconvenienced - not just you. So they are far more likely to deal than they were when it was just you being threatened.

stressbandit · 08/04/2021 17:54

This is really scary OP no idea how to deal with it but I'd start with front and back cameras and a flood light just incase it escalates. For someone to ring the emergency services like that it's far from normal. Hope it calms down for you

UCOinaUCG · 08/04/2021 17:56

That is awful. Make sure you put it all in writing when you contact the police so they can see it in chronological order.

YesitsMee · 08/04/2021 17:58

I really feel for you OP I’ve had similar

I had a disagreement with the nursery manager - she wanted me to pay full snack fees despite the fact my allergy dc had everything provided by us for snack. Thought it was resolved
Few weeks later she had reported me and made up that she saw me abusing my child when I ‘thought nobody was looking’ and because she was ‘a professional’ she was believed when it was pure lies out of spite

SheldonesqueIsAlmostHuman · 08/04/2021 18:18

The only thing I WISH I’d done differently would have been to contact the police myself when he accused me of the first criminal act instead of taking the company word that they would use all resources to investigate fully.

The stress was immense after 2 years of bullying and then the allegations and investigations for another 2 years. It is the stuff of nightmares and even if I could write it (way outing) no one would believe it.

I’m still very bitter.

Don’t be me OP. Nip this with the police before it gets worse.

itsgettingwierd · 08/04/2021 18:27

Yes this needs reporting.

Sortie all down in bullet points and common like you have here.

Date of report
Nature of report
What happened
Where you were at the time.

What's quite odd is I imagine someone calling an ambulance would have been asked the child's date of birth or similar? (I'm just guessing).

I once had an ambulance turn up much to my amazement and said they were called to no 38. Luckily I know number 83 had quite an unwell resident so could redirect them with my suspicions (I was right!). But that was a genuine mistake somewhere.

Iamaperiwinkle · 08/04/2021 18:36

This is awful. Trouble is you suspect everyone and have to. Unfortunately it can be your nearest and dearest and it makes you paranoid.

Tinkling · 08/04/2021 18:51

My god that’s terrible. Your anxiety must be through the roof!! I don’t know what you can do legally but I feel like I’d have to have a file start at the very least with the police so all of this is on record for future?

stevematekatemate · 08/04/2021 18:58

Very worrying OP. I hope you get some good advice from the police when you call.

sticktomygun · 08/04/2021 19:00

If I'm honest, I wouldn't call because they probably won't capture the full magnitude of what you're saying and you'll have to wait for some one with more time to look at it properly.

I would send an email and cc all the emergency services that are involved with the times and dates. That way they can see the length of time this has been going on and the multiple incidents. You can also send proof that you were not present at the location.

That way everyone's got all the information they need to get the ball rolling and they are less likely to minimise the matter.

If you've got time, I would total up the cost of the wasted services - they usually publish it online - and point out that even though you can't directly prove its malicious, it's costing them more to not deal with it.

sticktomygun · 08/04/2021 19:01

Also, if they want to fob then they'll have to give you a proper response in writing and then you've got proof of what you tried to raise.

StressedTired · 08/04/2021 19:36

Definitely report this to the police, this is stalking. Report it now before it escalates. How awful for you to be living with, it sounds horribly stressful!

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