Police visiting my old address asking for me - why?

[DorsetandBeyond]

My ex-neighbour has contacted me to let me know that the police have visited their house (and presumably my old address too) trying to locate me.

I haven't lived at the address for a decade. Ex-neighbour was asked by police if she could contact me (we are friends on social media, although only in very occasional contact) and request that I ring 101. I've rung 101, they asked for my details and current address, and confirmed that there was something on the system but couldn't say what it was. Just said that the relevant dept would be in touch with me as soon as possible.

I can't think what on earth it could be related to, especially where it would be linked to such an old address and not my current address. I've never been witness to a crime, to my knowledge.

So, what are the possible reasons for a police visit to your house? And I'm thinking particularly of a visit to a very old address like this, which suggests that it can't be something current.

Any ideas, knowledge from police officers or those in the know, or accounts of similar experiences would be very welcome. I'm worrying about one or two family members that I've lost touch with in the last few years, which is making me feel really anxious that it might be related to them, but I'm sure there must be other reasons.

Condolences

I'm so sorry that they were bringers of sad news.

Condolences @DorsetandBeyond …sorry it was bad news xx

I am very sorry for your loss. Please don't feel guilty that you didn't get in touch with this person sooner. They would not want you feeling that and it would not have changed anything. I'm glad you have family and friends to lean on during this time. {{HUGS}}

You do know that the police don’t have a database of addresses?

Very sorry it was bad news @DorsetandBeyond I have been trying to get in touch with a cousin of my mother's without success since July, I will try again having read these posts.

My old headteacher was accused (and subsequently convicted) of paedophilia, the Police went to my parents house to try and track me down to interview me about it.
Could be something like that?

Oh Gosh, sorry, I should have read your updates.
Sorry OP

Sorry for your loss, OP.

Well that's not strictly the case, I obviously won't go into details but I'm sure you can appreciate we have access to the voters register and other tools like that. The main issues we face are when the person has quite a generic name, eg Margaret Bond. If you know the rough area Margaret lives in, who she might live with and maybe a middle initial this all helps. But if all you have is Aunty Margaret Bonds in an address book with an old address and no other context at all it's much harder.
its probably no secret we use public profiles on social media as well to try cross referencing people with what we might find to see if that can help narrow searches down.
the criteria for accessing 3rd party data is often quite high and the nature of purpose of the enquiries may not cross the threshold. Eg if Margaret was a murder suspect we'd be crossing every bridge to try and find her. If all we need to do is find out if she still has the battered old metro that's been outside an address for 6 weeks we won't. Proportionality is key when interrogating personal data.

if I have a few clues, sufficient reason and enough time I would find you. I love intel work and I pride myself that if it's there I will find it. But sometimes, especially with the older generation, it's just not there because they don't leave a sufficient footprint,

Oh, that's a sad update. I'm so sorry.

You may be a witness or alibi to something without realising it. If a crime was committed a long time ago, you were living in a certain place, or working in a certain place, or knew someone, and they want to speak to you to confirm what you remember of that time, someone's movements, etc.
If they asked you to contact them on 101 and didn't immediately come out to you then it's not an emergency. Try not to worry.

No I didn't @Nicknacky, everyday is a school day!

Oh dear Lord.

Hope you feel rather silly after re-reading the OP's post again.

Sorry - I commented before I saw your update.
Sorry to hear about that, must still be sad for you.

Sorry to see your sad update, OP.

Perhaps as a silver lining it may give a little impetus towards reporting the potential coercive control case?

@Ellmau, that's exactly the way I'm thinking, yes.

. Just placemarking for potential updates cause now im curious having read some of the suggestions 🫣

Oops. Just saw the update. That's really sad sorry to hear. X

Sorry to @DorsetandBeyond and my condolences to you and your family. I agree with @Ellmau. Now is the perfect time to see if everything is ok with your other relative. Kind regards.

The police went to several members of our family looking for someone to identify and claim the body of an estranged family member who committed suicide.

Nobody did so no idea what happened in the long run.

My son had a crazy stalker, a middle aged American woman and twice she contacted UK police to ask them to do a welfare check on him. She didn't know his address but the police still took her word and turned up at his house.

Sounds like something has happened to someone nearby and they want to know if you've witnessed anything. I used to work for the police. Trying to think of what else it could be-but anything really? If it was anything really to worry about they'd have been back by now.

Sorry for your loss, OP...

Sorry Op. Hope you are OK.