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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To report this to police

71 replies

Joovy · 17/08/2018 14:49

Via the local police surgery.

Child being left outside a pub for 5-10 minutes at a time on a pavement of a busy road. It happens almost daily and the child is about 10 months old. Yesterday people started asking if it was mine and I stayed with it until parent returned and pointed out they were bloody foolish and explained people had been concerned and that anything could happen.

I'm not sure if I should leave it or I should mention it to the police. It seems so freaking dangerous but is perhaps not illegal? Or am I being a busy body and should I just ignore it in future.

OP posts:
Stormwhale · 17/08/2018 14:52

I think I would definitely speak to someone, be it police, or nspcc? Other than where the child is do you know anything about them? If you don't then police are the best bet as they are more likely to be able to find out who the parents are. It could be part of a much bigger picture of neglect and I don't think I could ignore it.

HollowTalk · 17/08/2018 14:54

Hmmm I wonder what the parent was doing for those 5 minutes in the pub. It's definitely something you could talk to the NSPCC about, OP, though the parents are lucky that nobody has called the police at the time - even luckier that their baby hasn't been snatched.

TiffinBox · 17/08/2018 14:54

Call the police straightaway, it takes less than a minute to push the pram away and abduct the baby. Hopefully the police will flag it up to the social services and they'll investigate thoroughly.

Pengggwn · 17/08/2018 14:58

Seems neglectful to me.

Original poster
Joovy · 17/08/2018 15:05

Other than where the child is do you know anything about them

I know the descriptions, the buggy make and model and the approximate times it usually happens - it's several times a week.

Thanks everyone, I will talk to someone and will call if I see it happen again (although the parent will probably work out it was me that called!) I honestly don't think they see the dangers.

OP posts:
Neverender · 17/08/2018 15:11

I would and I would also ask the parent why they can't just take the buggy in with them

MakeMineATwin2 · 17/08/2018 15:13

I would contact police or nspcc. It's neglect

Original poster
Joovy · 17/08/2018 15:14

Can you report anonymously through the NSPCC?

OP posts:
LeftRightCentre · 17/08/2018 15:15

I'd have reported this long ago.

SerenDippitty · 17/08/2018 15:16

I’m pretty sure most pubs wouldn’t mind the buggy being taken in for 5-10 minutes which makes me wonder even more what the parent is doing in there.

Melliegrantfirstlady · 17/08/2018 15:17

This is easy. Next time you see the baby outside the pub call the police and they will be out in a shot.

However you say 5-10 mins what could they be doing? Are you certain the breaks are not on the pram? Is it really that much of a risk? Do you know the person can’t see the child through the window?

If it’s onlu a few mins they could be picking up their wages or something

Original poster
Joovy · 17/08/2018 15:18

The pub definitely allows buggies and prams in. It is very family friendly and it is not at a time children wouldn't be allowed in.

OP posts:
IceCreamFace · 17/08/2018 15:19

I would call the police, that sounds completely unsafe and dangerous to me.

supersop60 · 17/08/2018 15:19

I would be half tempted to take the buggy myself, just to make a point.
(ducks for cover!)
Yes - report!

hidinginthenightgarden · 17/08/2018 15:20

I'd be tempted to take the baby to the police station next time I saw it outside.
The mother would be shocked enough never to do it again!
As a mother myself though I don't think I could put her through it so reporting her would seem the best option.

HollowTalk · 17/08/2018 15:21

Are you in a nearby shop? Why would they know it's you?

MermaidCafe · 17/08/2018 15:22

Report to police next time you see it they will be out straight away and can follow up. No point in reporting to nspcc (who would only forward it to Children’s Services) as how could anyone identify the child? Needs reporting when it's actually happening.

TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup · 17/08/2018 15:24

Who cares if they think they know its you. They won't be told who reported. If its a high street it could be any number of folk.

Better a report and some help put in place than an abducted baby.

Original poster
Joovy · 17/08/2018 15:24

However you say 5-10 mins what could they be doing?
Totally unsure, sometimes they get a drink, sometimes they just go inside and come out again.

Are you certain the breaks are not on the pram?
I have no idea if the breaks are on the pram or not.

Is it really that much of a risk?
I don't know how much of a risk it is to leave a baby with random strangers watching it, or how much of a risk it is to leave a baby on a busy city street with no one watching it but it feels very unsafe.

Do you know the person can’t see the child through the window?
Definitely not on all occasions, no. I tried to placate myself with this but it's not visible.

@HollowTalk - I think they would suspect as I said something to them yesterday about it.

No, I was outside the pub, not in a shop.

OP posts:
counterpoint · 17/08/2018 15:28

Have you spoken to them (mum, dad, other ?) once they come out of the pub?

Popfan · 17/08/2018 15:29

What did they say when you spoke to them about it?

1forAll74 · 17/08/2018 15:30

Would the pub landlord possibly tell the person about her baby being left outside,and suggest bringing it into the pub. I know its not the landlords or staff responsibility though, but just making the baby person aware of the dangers.

happypoobum · 17/08/2018 15:32

I would report to police definitely.

Original poster
Joovy · 17/08/2018 15:34

I spoke to the parent yesterday when they came out. They honestly didn't seem to think there was any issue with it but did say sorry. They then asked me about something else and left.

OP posts:
viques · 17/08/2018 15:35

Seems a short time to buy and drink a drink, but plenty of time to buy drugs which would be my knicker hoiking assumption.