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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to phone the police (101) about pants down in the park?

93 replies

Astr0naut · 03/05/2012 17:23

So, took the dcs to our local park today to play.

Walked through the gate to see three lads (17/18 ) on the swings. One of them was standing up with his pants around his ankles. I immediately averted my gaze and his mates all laughed.

They stopped laughing when I asked them whether they attended x school or Y college. Apparently they attend Y college. They shuffled off and I heard one of them muttering about how "we're gonna get banned from the park now."

I phoned the college to complain and the receptionist said she'd let departments know. Not sure what will happen then. In school we'd have a big assembly to bollock (sorry) the lads. Wondered about the police, but then, I teach big daft lads, so I know the sort of things they do.

However, it is a kids' play park.

Dh is furious and reckons it's indecent exposure, so even though nothing will happen, I should report it. He's also disgusted that I feel the need to ask the Sages of Mumsnet.

OP posts:

deleting · 03/05/2012 18:06

Maybe call the police and ask them! Explain that you don't think he was exposing himself to anyone in particular as this would be considered a much more serious offence (can lead to other things) and see what they say. I suppose if they do think it's worth following up they will. Although I'm not sure if they would have to follow it up if you reported it iyswim.

FredFredGeorge · 03/05/2012 18:07

As described it is not indecent exposure:
[[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/section/66 (a)he intentionally exposes his genitals, and .
(b)he intends that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress.]]

As described I can't see any desire to cause alarm and distress, he just happened to have his trousers down with his mates in a public place.

WhaleOilBeefHookedIWill · 03/05/2012 18:07

Im with Fanjo.
The fact he did it with a group of mates would make me think he was pratting around rather than trying to be a sex pest. If he was in a park on his own it would be a little different. He was probably a young lad fooling around and didnt realise the implications, to be labelled as some kind of perverted sex offender isnt really fair from a snapshot of one incident.
You have told the college, hopefully they will feel foolish enough to not do such a thing again

Blu · 03/05/2012 18:08

It was idiotic, bad teen behaviour. I think it was really good you asked them what college they were at - that probably gave them a big dose of reality. But they were teenagers, willies aren't alarming or frightening per se, you clearly weren't fringhtened because you felt able to speak to them, and speaking to them about it has probably ensured they won't be so daft again.

If they do it again pull out your phone and tell them you are sending the pic directly to the college.

WhaleOilBeefHookedIWill · 03/05/2012 18:08

I wouldn't call the police.
They may take down his particulars causing more distress all round

OhChristFENTON · 03/05/2012 18:09

It is a tough one in light of Fanjo's point there. On the one hand he wasn't directing his nakedness at you but on the other he should be told of the seriousness of what it could mean if he's caught pratting around showing off his bits in public again.

Perhaps still tell the police but make it absolutely clear that it was more that you walked in on his antics with his mates than that his inappropriate behaviour was directed at you or any other strangers or children in the park.

Proudnscary · 03/05/2012 18:09

Teenagers mucking around one with pants round ankles? Uh no not a police job!

You did exactly the right things, shaming them and reporting to college. They can't do this in a children's playground.

But clearly this wasn't sexually motivated, they were just behaving like arses (scuse the pun)

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/05/2012 18:10

They did it in a children's playground. They may be adults or very nearly adults. Report.

IAmBooyhoo · 03/05/2012 18:11

fredfred how can people urinating in teh street be done for indecent exposure then as they dont do it to cause alarm or distress, they just do it to relieve themselves?

Original poster

Astr0naut · 03/05/2012 18:11

How about this then.

I phone the local police station, explain, then ask if they can send one of thier PCSOs to the college to have a word with the students about inappropriate behviour? I'm not convinced the college will do anything.

Whale

OP posts:

MadameOvary · 03/05/2012 18:11

They were on the swings in a kids playpark! Even outside of the play area would have been an improvement. I dont think they meant to cause offence but come on, they couldn't have picked a more inappropriate place! Maybe they'll think twice about where they are before they decide to strip off next time.

Noqontrol · 03/05/2012 18:12

Agree with fanjo. It would be a shame if things went too far and he ended up on the sex offenders register for something that isn't isn't really a sexual offence, just a thoughtless dumb thing with his mates. I would imagine the school would deal with it appropriately, and by the sound of his reaction I suspect he has already learnt a lesson from this.

scurryfunge · 03/05/2012 18:13

Iambooyhoo - they don't unless that it their intention.

Original poster

Astr0naut · 03/05/2012 18:14

All the students I meant, not those particular ones.

OP posts:

IAmBooyhoo · 03/05/2012 18:14

they (who) dont what scurry?

MadameOvary · 03/05/2012 18:14

That teenager needs a wake-up call for his own sake at least. What would have happened if a kid had seen them then told his parents that a man had shown them his willy? It wouldn't look good...

scurryfunge · 03/05/2012 18:15

They don't get done for exposure if they are urinating.

OhChristFENTON · 03/05/2012 18:15

By the way I love that they caved in and spilled their college details because of your 'teacher voice'

OhChristFENTON · 03/05/2012 18:16

Original poster

Astr0naut · 03/05/2012 18:16

My teacher voice is great. Works on husbands when they go off wandering in supermarkets and toddlers when they won't come out of the soft-play netting.

OP posts:

IAmBooyhoo · 03/05/2012 18:17

i've seen it in my local paper scurry.

DonInKillerHeels · 03/05/2012 18:18

You should definitely report it to the police and let them deal with it. So what if they were just schoolboys mucking around. There are consequences for antisocial behaviour. Trust the police not to go overboard, but they really should be hauled over the coals for such behaviour. It's not on.

Whatmeworry · 03/05/2012 18:21

Me too. the problem with reporting stuff like this these days is the laws are so draconian stupid that you get consequences way in excess of the crimes.

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/05/2012 18:26

I think it is very unlikely that they will end up on the sex offenders register. If random internet 'experts' can tell that they were mucking about, I'm sure the Police can. And, flashing IS serious. It may be that his intention was to upset and offend and that his behaviour could escalate. Best to let the experts handle it (as it were).

Blu · 03/05/2012 18:29

You see, I think we need more adults prepared to use their 'teacher voice' for cases like this, and less bothering the police who ought to be catching proper criminals.

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