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AIBU?

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?

OP posts:

Report

firesidechat · 07/04/2013 11:59

You did the right thing.

I had a similar situation many years ago. I was passing some warden controlled bungalows and could hear moaning coming from inside, knocked on the door and got no answer. After dithering around for some time, I decided to find the warden and see what they thought. As it happened the elderly person was fine (possibly had dementia), but I would definitely do the same thing again. It could easily have been someone who needed help and would be terrible to think of them just lying there in distress.

SueDoku · 07/04/2013 11:33

Glad the police let you know. I live alone and it's something that does sit at the back of my mind - especially after a friend's father collapsed and died and wasn't found for 2 days (massive heart attack, so he didn't lie there suffering, but still...).

DeskPlanner · 07/04/2013 08:59

Thurlow . Just catching up with this thread. You sound a lovely neighbour, bet the lady would be really touched if she finds out she has such a caring neighbour. Well done to the police, they did a great job.

Maggie111 · 06/04/2013 22:46

You definitely did the right thing and the police don't consider it a waste.

Thurlow · 06/04/2013 21:41

That is nice. It's great there are lots of good neighbours out here.

I have to say, I moved to the 'nice' market town where I live about eighteen months ago from London, and the difference is amazing. People pay attention, talk to each other, offer to do favours. It's lovely.

OP posts:

SquinkiesRule · 06/04/2013 21:30

Aww FarBetterNow, that is so sad. Sorry about your DM.
My Mums neighbor comes and knocks if she doesn't open the curtains by about 10am. I think it's lovely.

Thurlow · 06/04/2013 21:10

Ah, Latte, that was lovely of them!

OP posts:

LatteLady · 06/04/2013 20:51

When I first moved into my house I had a day off work and forgot to draw my bedroom curtains... at 10:00am two of my new neighbours knocked to see if I was OK as I lived on my own. I was 40 at the time but I am still touched that they cared... so yes, OP you did the right thing and thank you.

FarBetterNow · 06/04/2013 20:32

I used to phone my DM every evening mainly to check she was ok.
The last time I rang, there was no answer, so I drove over there (about 20 miles) and she had collapsed and died earlier in the day.
She'd been saying for months that she was ready to go!

I'm so glad I did ring every day, I would have hated her to be have lain dead for days.

Selks · 06/04/2013 20:29

You're a lovely person for caring and phoning the police, OP. You did the right thing. These are for you

Thurlow · 06/04/2013 20:25

All those messages about noticing papers and milk bottles obviously sunk in!

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.

Thurlow · 06/04/2013 20:18

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

OP posts:

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 :-(

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 :)

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.

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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.

Snoopingforsoup · 06/04/2013 19:27

Crossed posts, good work Thurlow.

Snoopingforsoup · 06/04/2013 19:26

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

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

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:

DeskPlanner · 06/04/2013 19:21

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

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hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 06/04/2013 18:40

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

McNewPants2013 · 06/04/2013 18:38

Better safe than sorry.

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

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.

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