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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think the police should have told me

7 replies

browneyesblue · 05/08/2010 23:29

Someone tried to break into my house at about 5am when I was 8 months pregnant (DS is 4 months now). He tried to get in through the French doors first, and when that didn't work he tried to force the back window open, which woke me up.

He ran away when I came downstairs, leaving tools in back garden and a file through the window frame. I called the police, who responded within 5 minutes and had a sniffer dog out within 15 minutes. The next day they sent people out to take fingerprints and footprints.

I was really impressed by the police, particuarly as I was feeling quite vunerable at the time. I couldn't believe someone tried to break into my house while I was home. There was also a lot of damage to the door and window, and both had to be replaced. They were covered by insurance, but it was a lot of hassle while I was pregnant, and my premiums went up.

Anyway, yesterday I got a phone call from the police to say that a man had been arrested for another burglary, and that he had admitted attempted burglary at my address. The policeman told me he was a drug user who had been arrested a number of times previously, and that as he had admitted everything he was being sentenced today and that he would be receiving a prison sentence. He also gave me the man's name, as he said it was a matter of public record. Again, I was really impressed.

Today, I Googled the man's name to see if I could find out what happened and I found a news article saying he had been given a prison sentence, but I also found out he lives on my road! This came as a huge shock, and makes me feel suspicious of my neighbours (he wasn't acting alone, but wouldn't give the name of the person he was with). I wish the police had either broken the news to me themselves, or not told me at all. I didn't even think about the attempted break in anymore really, but now I feel vunerable all over again.

OP posts:
Chil1234 · 06/08/2010 06:21

I can understand your surprise but the man had to live somewhere. If he was still at large and if there had been any threat of violence, for example, they'd have probably told you where he lived. The fact that he lives on your road doesn't necessarily mean that all your neighbours are felons.

We're all at risk from burglary and we can do is take sensible precautions. You have new doors and windows which are more secure, presumable. It is unusual for someone to break in when you're in the house. Most thieves are more opportunistic.

PaulineCampbellJones · 06/08/2010 06:39

YAB a little bit U. They responded quickly, caught him and jailed him. I know it's horrible that he lived on your road and has an accomplice 'at large' .It could be that they neglected to mention it rather than hid it from you.
Maybe victim support could help you if you are still feeling vulnerable? Hope you are enjoying being a mam and not worrying too much.

Chil1234 · 06/08/2010 07:18

I should add... if you're not happy with local crime-rates, if you feel unsafe & if your neighbours really are a bit dodgy then you could always move house. A fresh start?

BelleDameSansMerci · 06/08/2010 07:54

Are the police allowed to tell you where someone lives? I wouldn't have thought they were in case of retaliation type actions (not suggesting you'd do this, of course).

Myleetlepony · 06/08/2010 08:52

I'm pretty sure that the police are not allowed to give you the address of your burglar.

claireb1974 · 06/08/2010 09:03

they didnt give her the address just his name, she googled his name and it came up with his address.

browneyesblue · 06/08/2010 09:32

Thanks everyone - maybe I am being a bit unreasonable. The police were brilliant. I think it was just the shock of finding out it was a neighbour who tried to rob me.

They gave me his name, but I found his address on the news section of the police website (after Googling it), so his street address was public record too - not his house number though.

Chil1234 I assumed he must have thought the house was empty when he tried to break in, but it seems that he is in the habit of breaking into houses while the occupants are asleep. He has a long history of theft and low-level violence, according to the website.

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