Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I’m being a nosey neighbour aren’t I, but..

151 replies

wagasallday · 30/06/2024 19:43

A few times now I’ve seen my neighbours arrive home and get 4 kids out of their 5 seater car. Car is definitely 5 seats. Two under 3s and the other two kids are primary aged. They seem like lovely people but it is obviously horribly unsafe and I would hate for anything to happen to any of them. From what I can see it looks as though one of the older ones sits in the passenger footwell or on mum’s knee. Should I have a word with them or leave it? Also don’t want to bring about trouble but it just scares me!

OP posts:
Strictlymad · 30/06/2024 20:10

how would op feel of one of the kids died? Who cares if it’s unneighbourly?!?! It’s an offense causing danger to a minor

sevsal · 30/06/2024 20:10

LeopardPrintIsNeutral · 30/06/2024 20:02

My bets are on a multimac in honesty. No one is stupid enough to transport their kids this way surely

My neighbours take 8 in their 7 seater

Mouswife · 30/06/2024 20:11

I would think carefully before you make this your business. You have to live alongside them and they could retaliate. Honestly think hard about this.

DisgruntledPelican · 30/06/2024 20:12

Is it worth causing drama?

Original poster
wagasallday · 30/06/2024 20:14

Mouswife · 30/06/2024 20:11

I would think carefully before you make this your business. You have to live alongside them and they could retaliate. Honestly think hard about this.

We are moving in a couple of months tbh

OP posts:
Original poster
wagasallday · 30/06/2024 20:14

I don’t want to cause drama but equally I would feel terrible if something happens to one of them and I could have spoken up.

OP posts:
Notastalker · 30/06/2024 20:15

Hances are the older two share the middle seat belt. Quite common thirty years ago but still illegal.

NoTouch · 30/06/2024 20:16

DisgruntledPelican · 30/06/2024 20:12

Is it worth causing drama?

Potential horrific injuries to a child vs making an anon report to police

No contest really

Luddite26 · 30/06/2024 20:17

Just report it to the police. 1 poor kid could shoot out of that car like a cannonball or get thrown about like a ball in a washing machine in a crash.

Luddite26 · 30/06/2024 20:17

It's the bloody 21st century.

Lokshen · 30/06/2024 20:19

Anonymous through Crimestoppers

Jellytotsandwinegums · 30/06/2024 20:20

I would report to police - it is vert risky. You can report with the reg and say you've seen them at the creche/school rather than that you're a neighbour to be double sure they won't find out it was you.

Waffle78 · 30/06/2024 20:21

Are you sure they haven't got one of these fitted in the back seat? I know Danielle Lloyd got one for her brood.

Waffle78 · 30/06/2024 20:22

Forgot to post pic one of these

I’m being a nosey neighbour aren’t I, but..
DaisyChain505 · 30/06/2024 20:29

This whole “grassing up” nonsense is so stupid. These parents are literally gambling with their child’s life. Road accidents happen all the time and if the child isn’t wearing a seat belt, let alone sat in a proper age appropriate car seat they are more likely to end up dead of with life altering injuries.

MrsSunshine2b · 30/06/2024 20:35

This is so dangerous. I would anonymously call the police next time they go out, they need to be told straight by someone in authority that it's not acceptable.

howaboutchocolate · 30/06/2024 20:36

So nobody should ever report child safeguarding issues, in case it ruins the parents lives?

Luddite26 · 30/06/2024 20:37

We were actually on the A1 last week and a car had been pulled over and 6 passengers were stood by it definitely not a multi mac it was a Corsa with 6 young men in. We were like wtf!
I can't see that family having a multi mac at approx £1500 in an old style focus.

DaughterNo2 · 30/06/2024 20:38

I’d report online to the police with car reg and address

MassiveOvaryaction · 30/06/2024 20:38

wagasallday · 30/06/2024 20:07

Okay no multi mac. Had a Facebook stalk. The eldest child sits in the middle, without a booster. Two seats are either side. That means one is without a seat. Can’t see they climb through the boot as they also take a double pushchair out of that and it’s only a Focus

They posted that they transport their children unsafely/illegally on social media?!

Report to your local plod.

NewWinger · 30/06/2024 20:39

LeopardPrintIsNeutral · 30/06/2024 20:02

My bets are on a multimac in honesty. No one is stupid enough to transport their kids this way surely

Trust me, some are, and I’ve dealt with a couple of such cases as a magistrate; in each case a fine and three points on their licence. One case, the police had given the guy a warning (baby on partner’s lap in the front passenger seat) and let him go on his way, only to spot him an hour or so later repeating the offence.

Luddite26 · 30/06/2024 20:40

Oh so run the risk of certain death then in an accident.
There was a case in the last couple of years where the poor little boy was in the foot well behind the passenger seat and he was crushed by the vile mothers vile boyfriend. Absolutely horrific.

OooSorryDoctor · 30/06/2024 20:41

I drove past a family the other week on the M6 and they had a baby (around 12 weeks) sat on the mother’s lap on the back seat of the car.

I’d noticed the baby as we approached from behind as she had the baby over her shoulder originally looking out of the rear view window 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

nightmareXmas · 30/06/2024 20:51

Could you have a word with them first? It's just possible that they don't realise it's illegal. And if they do have enough seats they'll be able to put your mind at rest. If not, you can go ahead and report them - ideally after you've exchanged contracts on your new place!