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

[wagasallday]

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!

I think you should have a word with them first before reporting. Give them the chance to stop. They may be facing hard times financially and unable to afford a larger car.. they may have taken this risk once or twice then just got used to it. Warning then you've seen then doing it abd that it's very dangerous would hopefully be enough to get then to stop.
If you involve the police it may put even more pressure on then when they nay already be struggling.. that is unlikely to help the quality of life for the kids.
So personally I'd give them a warning first.. give them the chance to stop doing it before you involve the authorities.

I just wonder what people do when they take Uber with kids?? Including Uber with baby? Surely they don't have car seats.
Parents will have to use lap for baby or child in back seat no?

No... it's law in the UK and the passenger has to supply one for their DC, its not down to the company to supply one.

It's not in taxis actually. It's recommended , however it's NOT illegal for your child to travel without a car seat on a taxi or on public transport. They cant travel in the front seat, you have to have them on your lap in the back if they are ubder 3yo, and if they are over 3yo they have to just wear the adult seat belt.

"Minding one's own business" is how abusers get away with abusing.

Whether the Police do anything or not is not your responsibility.

Report it to the Police.

Even better, if you know what school they go to then report it to them too.

Do it and draw a line under it for yourself. This one small act could save someone’s life.

I was being very tongue in cheek there. Sorry you took it so seriously...

Inform the kids school via phonecall message. Keep it factual and anonymous.

Me too. You can get the newborn attachment.

It's a much cheaper alternative than upgrading your car to a 6 seater.

Ah...thanks...

I know our local taxis and uber drivers prefer you to use one and are allowed to turn a passenger down if they don't feel they want to take a child that's not in a seat.
A handful also provide a stage two and a booster.

False equivalent.

Not at all. Wilfully endangering a child in breach of seatbelt law is a form of abuse.

Not a nosey neighbour, a caring member of the community.

Not nosy - potentially life-saving.

Thanks for caring for these children, OP. Also echo others that ideally you could ask the family directly yourself - the more we can raise concerns neighbour-to-neighbour without formalising and escalating, the better. But understand if you're not comfortable to do this and would rather go down the police/SS/school route first.

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

A quick watch of Traffic Cops or Police Interceptors will disabuse you of that notion. There are some very, very stupid people driving around.

You can report anonymously to your local social care department. They will do what is necessary. Tell SC the school too because they’ll probably check with them.

Nothing to do with you . Mind your business . As long as your children are safe , neighbours children aren’t your responsibility and I’m sure if you say something you will get a mouthful

100% report it to Social services/101 and tell them what school the kids go to - if they do this daily on the school run! If they can't afford a bigger car, then one parent should stay home with the baby on the school run.

You would be better reporting to social services that then Police

And if a child dies or is seriously injured, what then?

I would honestly have a polite chat to her and tell her what you have noticed, wont be long until they are pulled over with this, even if she does nothing about it and you report to the police what is the worst she can do? You warned her and you are moving anyway your only protecting the children.

Clearly the very stupid people aren't just driving.

I’d like to think the posters telling you to mind your business is the same person, just name changing, but if not, I really don’t understand why they think you should when a child is potentially at risk.
Why so protective of the person risking their kid’s life (or lives?) when children aren’t generally able to advocate for their own safety?

What does that even mean?