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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?

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Thurlow · 06/04/2013 20:25

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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Thurlow · 06/04/2013 21:10

Ah, Latte, that was lovely of them!

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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.

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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.

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Maggie111 · 06/04/2013 22:46

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

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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.

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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...).

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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.