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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DS escorted home by the police - WTF?

245 replies

ReanimatedSGB · 19/04/2018 17:24

He's 13 and a half. He hadn't done anything wrong (as they were at pains to assure me) but someone 'reported that he seemed to be lost and potentially vulnerable', so they had asked him where he lived, brought him home, asked for my name and phone number...

It's 5pm, on a lovely sunny afternoon. DS was coming home from school. He said he had been chatting to someone about trains and train stations (he is a transport nut) - and now this? WTF? I did say to the police that he likes transport and likes to watch the trams. I am not going to insist he stays indoors all the time - why should I?

OP posts:
10storeylovesong · 19/04/2018 22:04

I’m a police officer. I speak to many adults and children during my tour of duty. I’m also very busy. If I take the time to return a child home, especially in broad daylight when there’s lots of people around, then there’s a reason. This doesn’t add up.

AnneTwackie · 19/04/2018 22:05

Haven’t you posted before about someone saying he shouldn’t be out late at night watching the trains?

10storeylovesong · 19/04/2018 22:06

And even if some “officious dickhead” had meddled, it’s still up to the officers to complete a risk assessment. Believe me, we get enough people trying to tell us how to do our job on a daily basis to know how to stand up for ourselves!

Plumsofwrath · 19/04/2018 22:07

Must be the heat.

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 19/04/2018 22:08

Stop with the conspiratorial rubbish,it’s winding you up
No one is a dick head.your son is safe
As hard as it is to hear,something was significant enough for BTP to bring him home
BTP are autonomous,well trained they use their judgement.theyre not compelled to act on instruction from member of public
BTP returned your son,that down to them,their judgement call as officers

motorpink · 19/04/2018 22:09

And no, I'm not grateful that someone seems to have taken it upon themselves to 'help' a child who didn't need or want help.

Well you bloody well should be. A police officer made the judgement that your child needed to be brought home. I am astounded by your constant anger.

My overall impression, the more I think about it, is that some or other officious dickhead was trying to meddle where he had no business.

Because the police have time for that shit Hmm

Original poster
ReanimatedSGB · 19/04/2018 22:10

No, it doesn't add up. I suppose I could ring 101 in the morning and see if I can get any kind of explanation. Though it is possible that they walked him home because they were heading that way, or because it only took them 5 minutes, I suppose. I just don't like it.

OP posts:
LipstickHandbagCoffee · 19/04/2018 22:12

Police and BTP are flat out dealing with like real crime,gangs,random acts,mental health events,mis pers and city life
They genuinely don’t have time or inclination to respond to unfounded reports from public
Sleep on this,I hope things feel better in morning

Original poster
ReanimatedSGB · 19/04/2018 22:12

And, while I have met many police officers who are conscientous and sensible, I've met dickheads too. I don't have unquestioning faith in 'authority' - no one should.

OP posts:
BuggerBugger · 19/04/2018 22:12

officious dickhead was trying to meddle where he had no business.

Wonder if you’d say this if it was a woman that had concerns? The clear message to blokes is if you have concerns about a child, don’t bother acting on it. Why would you? You’ll be called an officious dickhead or more often an inference that you’re a paedophile.

motorpink · 19/04/2018 22:15

I just can't get past your absolute refusal to accept there may have been a reason for it.

Why is it so difficult?

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 19/04/2018 22:18

BTP are not 101. General enquiries call 0800 40 50 40

Contact BTP

DarkPeakScouter · 19/04/2018 22:20

I’d think there was more to it than it appears. I’d be bloody grateful if people looked out for one of my sons rather than letting them become a statistic.

Oblomov18 · 19/04/2018 22:21

Please don't by let this lie OP.
An injustice has been done to your son, it would appear, an over-reaction.

Please follow it up. Don't let it lie.

Slievenamon · 19/04/2018 22:22

Please follow it up. Don't let it lie
Is this a joke?

Original poster
ReanimatedSGB · 19/04/2018 22:24

If there had been any real reason, either DS would have told me what happened, or the police would have done. I am annoyed that they didn't believe him when he told them where he lived and that he wasn't lost.

And, really, have none of you ever been on the wrong end of an interfering stranger who insists on 'helping' you when you don't want or need help?

OP posts:
BlondeB83 · 19/04/2018 22:28

You’re son was deemed at risk, the police intervened. They don’t do this all the time, your son appeared at risk. Be grateful!

Failingat40 · 19/04/2018 22:31

For goodness sake op!

If the police were to believe the words from every kid they meet they'd not get very far!!
They can never be criticised for making sure a kid gets home safe.

If your son hangs out at the station a lot and has vulnerabilities perhaps it's time you step up and supervise him a bit more before something happens.

LynetteScavo · 19/04/2018 22:33

@jaimelannistersgoldenhand - I said transport, not trains...I am surprised there is a whole group of kids who all want to talk about trains...I know a few train buffs, but none of them have friends, in their immediate circle of friends, who share their interest.......its a jump to porn ConfusedHmm

So basically the lad was having a jolly chat, an oldish man asked an odd question and some over zealous transport police escorted him home and suggested he's too vulnerable to be out alone. Right. Maybe put in a complaint OP? Because you really don't seem at all happy that your DS was escorted home.

Slievenamon · 19/04/2018 22:34

And, really, have none of you ever been on the wrong end of an interfering stranger who insists on 'helping' you when you don't want or need help?

As a vulnerable child? No.

The more you post the crazier you sound.

UnlikelyAstronaut · 19/04/2018 22:34

Solid, like oblomov, I'd want to know exactly why they escorted him home. What was the actual reason. And are your details recorded as a result of the incident.

DailyWailEatsSnails · 19/04/2018 22:35

if I understand correctly, OP lives 3 minutes from the tram spot. The police escorted him for 3 minutes while chatting to the lad.

If they had escorted him for 15 or 30 minutes, I'd get OP's consternation. But 3 minutes means they had just about assessed him by the time he got home. I don't think that even rates as 'at risk'; more like getting to know one of their regular characters (sounds like a character with chatty enthusiasm about trams & trains).

I don't think I could make a big deal out of this.

NC4Now · 19/04/2018 22:39

Wasn’t there an issue with him going out to look at the trains a few weeks ago?

This all sounds very familiar.

Someone is obviously concerned - possibly the same person?

TheDairyQueen · 19/04/2018 22:41

YABVVVU.

The police are often damned if they do, damned if they don't.

Better your son was brought home than becoming another statistic and another "lesson to be learned."

Get a bloody grip, eh?

Morsecode · 19/04/2018 22:43

You are annoyed they didn't believe him... You think they are interfering strangers who insist on helping...

Clearly by your skewed reasoning, the police accompanied him for shits and giggles. I mean, really? How far does your delusion go?

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