I apparently over-reacted by calling 101.

[Scabetty]

This is more a 'was I' than 'am I' as I have already reported this to 101.

Last night, around 6 pm, there was a light knock on the front door followed by tapping on the front window. When I opened the door a child od about 6 yo was standing in pink pjs singing I wish you a Merry Christmas. The child was wearing tinsel on their head. I said they were a little early for Christmas and they said they were going to Spain next week lol. Another child walked across my drive having been at my neighbours to the left. Across the road was a third child. All were under 10 yo imho. I asked The 6 yo where they lived and where their mum or dad were and they said round the corner. There are no houses round the corner and there were no parents in sight. The 6 yo was actually a small boy even though pjs suggested otherwise. I politely said goodbye and gave no money. I called 101 to report this as I was concerned - they were not even staying together as a group.

I bumped in to neighbour to my left this morning and mentioned I called 101. They seemed surprised and said "don't you know they were Irish travellers?" As though that explains it and I am over-reacting. To me it was neglect and abuse.Did I over-react?

Obviously non of you have experience of Gypsies, if that's what they were.
Their 6 year olds are the equivalent of your 10/12 year olds. The have to grow up very quick.

I think a young child out with no proper clothing on, in the rain in the pitch black is worth a call to 101.

scabetty of course I am not saying you are stupid!
I just used my anecdote to show how some people can really overreact.

Finger, are you saying that "gypsies" are some sort of genetic anomaly then? Are "gypsy" six year olds as tall and strong as a 12 year old from another ethnic background?

A six year old child is a six year old child no matter where they're from. They all need nurturing, and if we see they're not being looked after then the right thing to do is to look after them ourselves, in this case by alerting the authorities that they may be neglected.