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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be worried about my neighbours??

23 replies

LaDiDaDi · 20/02/2012 10:36

My next-door but one are a nice couple who are in their approx late sixties. Nice and chat when we see each other but not any more involved with them.

On Thursday I took in an amazon parcel for them from the postman. I have tried at least once every day to deliver it but there is no answer. Their car is on the drive all of the time, usually only comes out when they are going out iyswim and only he drives, including overnight. At the front of the house the blinds are partially closed, I think that their bedroom curtains are open all of the time though I can't rule out that they are going to bed v.late and getting up v. early.

I feel uneasy about it, dp thinks I am being silly and that they have probably just gone somewhere but I think it's odd that they have left the car out. I've already been along once this morning and will go agaion in a bit. If I get no response I'm going to ask the neighbour between us if he has seen them/knows if they are away but not sure what to do if he has not seen them.

OP posts:
DeepPurple · 20/02/2012 10:37

They might just be on holiday and took a taxi or got a lift to the airport?

LaDiDaDi · 20/02/2012 10:44

Yes, I know that's probably the most likely but it's just that the car is out all of the time which is just not like them.

Feel like I am just being a sad nosey parker but I am concerned.

OP posts:
savoycabbage · 20/02/2012 10:45

Have you been round the back and/or had a peep through the windows?

Onlyaphase · 20/02/2012 10:47

They may have left the car out to make it look as though someone was in, rather than an empty house attracting a burglar. Some people I know do this when they are on holiday

ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 20/02/2012 10:50

It's most likely they have done what 'onlyaphase' has said, especially as they are a couple, not one person on their own. However, it won't hurt to ask the other neighbours as they may have asked them to check on the house & collect the mail etc.

It's good to care about the people who live around us :)

QuintessentialyHollow · 20/02/2012 10:52

Our neighbours went away for a month and left their car out on the drive so it would look like they were home. They had somebody come in now and then to open the blinds, and turn on lights etc.

LaDiDaDi · 20/02/2012 10:53

Tried to peep through front window this morning but they have their dining room at the front and I don't think they use it regularly anyway. Can't get around to their back garden.

Like onlyaphase's idea, that makes some sense.

Will go and ask middle neighbour Smile.

OP posts:
candytuft63 · 20/02/2012 14:22

I think its a bit odd to order something just before going away when no-one would be at home to accept the parcel.Confused

QuintessentialyHollow · 20/02/2012 14:32

Not necessarily. The parcel could been ordered long ago, but be delayed. We ordered something at the beginning of December. We were first told it would be delivered within a week (in time before going on holiday), then told it would come mid January. It arrived just before Christmas, and my poor neighbour had a massive box of 4 bicycle helmets and backpacks sitting at her house until January 3rd....

candytuft63 · 20/02/2012 14:38

True, Quin, but it hasnt happened to me Smile

nannipigg · 20/02/2012 14:42

I would speak to the other neighbour's and ask them to keep and eye out for them. I would be worried too, but they could of course be on holiday....ie a coach trip?

MissBetsyTrotwood · 20/02/2012 14:47

Maybe the middle neighbour will have heard them? It's not weird at all. It's nice. I'd much rather someone asked after me than not.

nannipigg · 21/02/2012 16:58

Any news on the neighbours yet?

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 21/02/2012 18:06

I think I would be asking everyone locally, newsagent? other shops? and if no joy contact police on non emergency to see if they can track down any relatives who might know where they are. awful to think something could have happened and no one has done anything. can you see any lights at night? hear the central heating going on / off condeser boilers give out a lot of steam for example, open the letterbox and peep in, take a sniff too just in case, also look to see if windows are open, are there any flies in windows? awful I know and lets hope they have just gone on a luffly jolly. no one will think any worse of you for checking out every possibility and if they were my family I would be pleased to have a 'nosy, interfering' neighbour.

DeepPurple · 25/02/2012 03:46

Any news yet?

GoingForGoalWeight · 25/02/2012 11:22

You are not nosey or sad :) Lovely is the word that comes to mind. I hope your neighbours are OK. Might have gone on a cruise?

Do let us know LaDiDaDi :)

Marshy · 25/02/2012 11:51

Hi OP.I've only skimmed this thread, but it looks as if you have reason to be concerned. If still no positive developments, you could contact local police (not 999, obviously) and ask them to do a 'safe and well call'. I think this is used commonly where concerns have been raised about the welfare of somebody who might be vulnerable

ImperialBlether · 25/02/2012 12:34

But they're not vulnerable if they're in their lates sixties! They've probably gone on a cruise or a backpacking gap year.

Marshy · 25/02/2012 12:38

My DH is in the 'older' age bracket and isn't vulnerable - hopefully won't be for a long time. Some people are at that kind of age. The OP knows them and is concerned - doesn't hurt to check.

StuckUpTheFezziwigTree · 25/02/2012 12:42

The only thing that worries me, apart from your own concerns, is that if you start asking lots of local people and they are on holiday, the risk of burglary.

GoingForGoalWeight · 26/02/2012 18:09

Any news?

WandaDoff · 26/02/2012 18:13

Juct checking to see if you have heard any news yet?

ConferencePear · 07/03/2012 20:36

Still hoping for an update.

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