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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

So apparently giving the exact details and location of a drink driver isn't enough.

55 replies

WhatNextPoPo · 15/04/2015 17:01

I tell them it happens every Wednesday. I tell them what time, where. Every detail they could possibly want but they say they can't just sit and hope he drives and does what I said that day but they will record my report.

So today, I'm stood by the pub. I call, I give details, say his car is parked right bloody next to it and he's been there hours and will be driving home.

Operator - "when will he be leaving?"

Me - "I don't know, soonish I suppose."

Operator - "well the police can't just sit there and wait. I'll log your report."

Me - "That's it?! I'm telling you they are hugely under the influence and about to drive. What if he squashes someone?!"

Operator - "Let me explain how things are, we have X amount of officers and they simply can't sit there and wait. But I've logged the information."

That's it. That's fucking it. That's all I can do. I'm so pissed off. I put my bloody neck on the line to do this and fuck all will be done?!

AIBU?!

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 15/04/2015 17:03

Could you wait until he gets into the car, and then phone?

flabbyducks · 15/04/2015 17:03

Do you serve in the pub ?

26Point2Miles · 15/04/2015 17:04

Yabu...The police are so busy....there isn't an infinite amount of officers available. They have stacks to do before they even start

26Point2Miles · 15/04/2015 17:05

Also there's the legalities.... Waiting to catch them v catching committing a crime

Bowlersarm · 15/04/2015 17:05

Yanbu, but I kind of see their point. The police seem so overwhelmed and understaffed.

Original poster
WhatNextPoPo · 15/04/2015 17:06

I thought of that Leeds but it's a very short drive to his house so I don't there would be the time. In fact by the length of the phone call with this slow moving operator, he would be home by then.

Flabby I don't serve in the pub. But the manager, no less knows what he does and let's her get on with it.

OP posts:
ginmakesitallok · 15/04/2015 17:07

The thing is, at the minute he's not a drunk driver, he's someone having a drink with his car parked outside. Police can't hang about potentially for hours waiting for him?

Original poster
WhatNextPoPo · 15/04/2015 17:07

HIM.

Not her. Fuck.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatNextPoPo · 15/04/2015 17:08

That's what she said. Guess we have to wait until he causes an accident then.

OP posts:
woowoo22 · 15/04/2015 17:08

YANBU. Madness. How do you know he does this?

26Point2Miles · 15/04/2015 17:09

Bet they get lots of disgruntled ex's trying to get police to act in this way

Shamalamalam · 15/04/2015 17:10

Can you ring them again when he leaves?

I once reported a drink driver.

DH and I were coming home quite late one night, he pulled out of a pub car park right in front of us, god knows how DH didn't hit him, then proceeded to swerve all over the road, speed up, slow right down, drive up the kerb, on the wrong side of the road, etc.

So I rang the police from my mobile, but the only thing they were interested in was whether I was using my mobile while driving.

MrsPeabody · 15/04/2015 17:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
WhatNextPoPo · 15/04/2015 17:12

I wish I could say woo but I got the last thread deleted because it was too identifying so I've had to change more stuff and reveal less in hope to get advice this time.

26point are you suggesting I'm a disgruntled ex? Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatNextPoPo · 15/04/2015 17:13

I don't know what you mean MrsPeabody

OP posts:
ginmakesitallok · 15/04/2015 17:15

No, but they do have to wait until he's committed a crime?

Original poster
WhatNextPoPo · 15/04/2015 17:16

He's already committed it.

If I reported a bank robber, would they not follow it up because he was no longer in the bank and spent the money?

OP posts:
Theycallmemellowjello · 15/04/2015 17:19

I think that it is possible there werr more pressing matters to attend to than someone who might have been about to drink drive. I hope you intervened to try to stop him driving anyway.

chickenfuckingpox · 15/04/2015 17:21

same deal here with the police ive told them she is in the car now driving to the next town to have a drink in the pub (next to the police station ironically) and they said they can log it i pointed out she was leaving her 13 year old in charge of her two year old and buggering off to the pub they said it sounds like that's a case for social services not the police Hmm i told them she already had a social worker because the 13 year old tried to commit suicide can we get back to the drink driving please she is driving the car now well we cant do anything unless we see her doing it okay just stick your head out the window and you WILL see her!

they didnt look she did it for ages (she has moved now so i cant comment) got away with it constantly there really is no point to reporting these days they just CBA

Original poster
WhatNextPoPo · 15/04/2015 17:23

Yup. Well fuck it, it's done now.

OP posts:
MrsPeabody · 15/04/2015 17:24

Op, I think you have done all you can do in the situation. I know it's complicated.

What are the legalities of videoing this person? Maybe a visit to the local station for advice?

SoupDragon · 15/04/2015 17:25

If I reported a bank robber, would they not follow it up because he was no longer in the bank and spent the money?

You are, effectively, reporting someone who might rob a bank.

26Point2Miles · 15/04/2015 17:26

why is someone driving to the pub to have a drink committing drink/drive offence? (Assuming no alcohol already taken)

And op, who knows? Bet plenty do..

bilbodog · 15/04/2015 17:30

I used to work in a police station and I do remember somebody dropping in a note which we passed to Roads Policing (they have different teams who police the roads) and I think they did catch one of these guys. Try writing a note and addressing it to the Local Police Area Commander - might get more action - but it will depend on what else is happening at the time. Potential murder/domestic abuse, will get a higher priority........... and goes on all the time.

LividofLondinium · 15/04/2015 17:32

How frustrating, OP. I know you said it's only a short drive for him so they might not get there in time, but I'd still be inclined to call the police as soon as he drives off and tell them he's actually drink driving.

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