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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have called the police?

36 replies

Thurlow · 06/04/2013 18:08

I can't decide whether I've just overreacted or not. I just walked back from town and on my way there are these almshouse bungalows, I know only old people live in them - walked passed them every day on maternity leave. Today one of them still has all its blinds and curtains drawn, and two bottles of milk on the doorstep.

Something just made me feel like I shouldn't walk away without doing anything, so I called 101. They were very nice, but now I feel like I might have just been really silly and wasted their time. Whoever lives there has probably just gone away for the weekend and forgot to cancel their milk.

Would you have called too, or I am being a worst case scenario-ist? Sad

OP posts:
SueDoku · 06/04/2013 18:11

Whether there's anything the matter or not - you were being a good neighbour. I would have done the same. Flowers

YouTheCat · 06/04/2013 18:12

Better safe than sorry.

You'd feel awful if you'd done nothing and then found out the occupant wasn't well.

Original poster
Thurlow · 06/04/2013 18:14

That's what I was thinking - what if, and no one found out.

Some poor man is going to be sitting watching Doctor Who with the blinds down because of the sun, isn't he? Blush

OP posts:
LadyBeagleEyes · 06/04/2013 18:16

You did a good think Op.
If there were more people like you we wouldn't hear about elderly people dying alone with no one knowing.
I hope it was just someone away for the weekend, but best to make sure.

JeanPaget · 06/04/2013 18:17

Even if he is just watching Doctor Who I'm sure he'll be happy to know he has neighbours looking out for him.

Much better safe than sorry, I really hope there are people like you living near my elderly parents.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 06/04/2013 18:17

You did the right thing :)

floatyflo · 06/04/2013 18:22

Good for you, you did the right thing. And if you have wasted police time, its because the occupant is well and healthy so dont worry! :)

Original poster
Thurlow · 06/04/2013 18:28

Thanks everyone. I felt like such a drama llama after I'd called.

OP posts:
sjupes · 06/04/2013 18:29

What a lovely thing to do Flowers even if theres a man watching his dr who i'm sure this is a 'time waste' the police would rather have than silly pranks by children :)

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 06/04/2013 18:31

I would probably have knocked on the door first!

Original poster
Thurlow · 06/04/2013 18:35

Ooh, Ghoul, I didn't think of that. That probably would have been the sensible thing to do Blush Not that I know the people inside.

OP posts:
ChozRa · 06/04/2013 18:36

DH once rang them after seeing people in the college library late one night - he wasn't sure either because they didn't look like they were robbing it but it bothered him so he rang. They went to check and it was IT guys. They called him to tell him and basically said he did the right thing. I don't think they mind if you have a genuine concern. I think lots of us would have done the same and you were right.

McNewPants2013 · 06/04/2013 18:38

Better safe than sorry.

You did the right thing, we need more people in the community like you.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 06/04/2013 18:40

You did something which is far, far better than doing nothing.

DeskPlanner · 06/04/2013 19:21

Well done. I probably wouldn't have even noticed.

Original poster
Thurlow · 06/04/2013 19:23

Police have just called back and said that the lady who lives there went in to hospital the other day, and no one remembered to cancel the milk. Feel much better now.

Desk, I am a nosy bugger and stare in people's houses all the time!

OP posts:
CSIJanner · 06/04/2013 19:26

Huge sigh of relief and well done you! Better for you to have noticed than a potential burglar taking advantage, which happened to my parents neighbours. It's bad enough being in hospital than to find your home ravaged Sad

Snoopingforsoup · 06/04/2013 19:26

You definitely did the right thing.
The Police won't mind if it's nothing.

Snoopingforsoup · 06/04/2013 19:27

Crossed posts, good work Thurlow.

TheSurgeonsMate · 06/04/2013 19:34

Nice of the police to let you know - and I think it means they encourage this sort of thing.

Original poster
Thurlow · 06/04/2013 19:50

I feel better that they went around and checked so quickly, they obviously didn't think it was a silly call and had checked within the hour. Hadn't thought of the burglars either, but I guess they would notice it, so hopefully a neighbour has taken the milk in.

OP posts:
SirBoobAlot · 06/04/2013 19:54

You did the right thing, and glad the police called you back - they obviously thought you did the right thing too :)

OHforDUCKScake · 06/04/2013 20:07

I do this. I follow my instinct then doubt myself.

Of course you did the right thing.

My grandma was on the floor for days before she was found :-(

Original poster
Thurlow · 06/04/2013 20:18

Oh, duck, I'm really sorry to hear that Sad

OP posts:
AugustaProdworthy · 06/04/2013 20:23

yOu did the right thing. I did this once for a next door neighbour and the police were great and came and got into the house to check. Turns out the lady was away but hadn't told anyone or cancelled her papers, which were hanging our of the door and had alerted me to her absence. She understood why I had done it when she returned and gave me some sweets as a thank you for caring.
I gave a lift to a older lady yesterday as she was clearly struggling to walk to the newsagents, didn't know her but just knew she needed some help and she was pleased someone had stopped to help her.
You did the right thing to worry and try to help.