AIBU to ring the police?

[anonquestionplease]

Regular MN'er NC for this question...

We've got a neighbour who screams at her child/children. This week we've heard it at least three nights, and it seems particularly targeted at one child. The boy sounds about 6 or 7 and the screaming goes on for hours well after midnight. He wakes us up around 1 a.m. (and lives in a separate building, so it is quite loud), crying and yelling. Mum then berates him "Shut the fuck up, give me my fucking phone" and on and on, often lasting for another hour or so. DH and I are concerned for the boy's well being. We haven't heard him scream "help" or "stop" (which would be automatic 999 for me) but he is inconsolable and mum just screams and screams at him.

DH and I haven't any DC of our own but are aware from other neighbours, family, etc that little ones often yell from dreams and the occasional tantrum in the night but this seems like blatant mistreatment or abuse. Especially given the age of the boy, the time of night and response of mum.

We believe we know which family it might be but aren't certain. Have tried to be somewhat friendly with them but they are fairly closed off. Not sure what to do and feel concerned for poor little boy.

Thank you all, will ring 101 when we hear it again. I suspect it is coming from one house but I am not certain. We are on a mixed former council estate with many small roads running together, so I don't know the exact location or address of the house. I haven't yet looked out to see whether I can see if lights are going, etc when we hear the screaming.

This makes me feel so sad

Thank goodness for people like you op. I hope the police are able to locate the family next time you hear it.

Please keep reporting this, OP. You've done well so far but please keep at it. That poor little boy

In this situation I think I would report it to everyone, police, SS & nspcc

I would call 999 not 101 as a previous poster suggested as 101 takes a long time to get through and the police need to be able to get there quite quickly to work out where the screaming is coming from.

Usually id say your being very nosey!
But by what you've mentioned it is concerning i really dislike the swearing at a child i do hope in this case its mum needing a hand and not something severe

That must be incredibly loud shouting and screaming for you to hear across roads! I assumed it was an adjoining neighbour. I'm surprised her neighbours haven't heard this and reported it, poor kid. The phone comments don't make sense at 1am, very odd. I hope you manage to find out where it's coming from and are able to alert social care

Yes, it is extremely loud. Whilst it has been warm and much of the area has windows open, this shouting has woken DH and I from deep sleep. To clarify about the roads, apologies not a proper road but small paths throughout the estate. Because so many properties in close proximity, difficult to know where noise is coming from IYSWIM.

Princess, I was concerned about being nosey too, so glad to hear others don't think this is crossing any lines.

Hope not to hear the shouting again but grateful to you all for your help.