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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be scared of late night door knocker?

97 replies

ProbablyDramatic · 22/08/2018 23:06

Just climbed into bed 5 minutes ago, and as soon as I did, I head knocking on my front door. Not an urgent knock, more like a repetitive tentative knock... could have sworn I heard them try the handle too. I'm really freaked out! As my username suggests, I'm probably being dramatic but no chance in hell am I going to see who it was. Any words of wisdom to help me relax? Nobody I know would knock for me at this time of night. The fact I have a crazy ex makes my mind jump to conclusions too.. Need to be up early for work

OP posts:

Original poster

ProbablyDramatic · 22/08/2018 23:26

Eek Shady, you're probably right! No lights were on, hallway light on just now! I can't see the front door from any windows except the door itself, stupid weird shaped house!

OP posts:

Hopscotch68 · 22/08/2018 23:27

It's likely to be a neighbour

Original poster

ProbablyDramatic · 22/08/2018 23:29

I know my neighbours quite well and they would text first I think. Takeaway is a very plausible suggestion! No breakins and no further knocking could indeed suggest takeaway with the wrong address. They'd likely give a tentative knock with the lights being out. Feeling calmer now, thank you!

OP posts:

ifoundthebread · 22/08/2018 23:31

Personally I'd call your neighbour friend just to come have a look about with you, check for hand marks on windows etc. Even if you find nothing it will give you piece of mind.

Geordiegirl79 · 22/08/2018 23:31

Oh poor you...that would definitely freak me out, although almost certainly a completely benign explanation! Glad you're feeling calmer.

Bobbybear10 · 22/08/2018 23:31

If you do hear the noise again and you go down I really don’t think you should call out through the letterbox.

If it makes you feel better I freaked out earlier letting the dog out.
I was sure my DH was in the garden and said ‘come on’ to the dog. The dog chased after something as soon as I let him out which I thought was another reason it was DH messing about with the dog. I poked my head round the door just to check and saw DH sat on the sofa! I freaked out told DH a man had just spoken outside and the dog had run off. DH puts our security lights on and comes out but we don’t see anyone and the dog slowly meanders back. Just as we were going inside to look in an upstairs window I hear the same voice and realise it’s the TV but the sound bar and angle of the two doors made it sound like it was coming from in front of me.

DeusEx · 22/08/2018 23:34

Can strongman friend see your house from inside his? If so and he’s awake, he could be your eyes!

ShadyLady53 · 22/08/2018 23:38

It’s alright, my house is a similar layout! You need a plan for nights like this lol 😂.

So here’s what you do if you hear a knock/prowling/suspicious non broken glass sound coming from the exterior of a property. 1. Have mobile phone in hand 2. Whilst in the dark, head to the nearest upstairs window to the door and see if you can see anyone 3.react accordingly.

If they look harmless, you might decide to open the upstairs window a little and ask what they want. Don’t be afraid to call the police or to say “My husband is calling the police as we speak” etc if you think it’s a bullshit reason that they give. If you don’t want to do that you could throw a few lights on (but try to make sure they don’t see you at the window or see that you are in on your own) and hope you scare any potential dodgy folk off. NEVER open the door. Ever.

It’s really great that you have a nearby strong dude you can call upon if need be too!

GlacierMints · 22/08/2018 23:39

I would seriously consider that someone might be doing this to test if you are asleep before breaking in.

If I were me, and I have done this, I would immediately put all my lights on

This 100%. Late night door knocking happened recently in a friend's street - man who heard it but didn't turn lights on/ get out of bed had everything of value stolen from his garage

Don't go to the door but turn the lights on and make an obvious noise. If possible try to make it sound like there is more than one person in the house - whether by use of a television or having a loud conversation with yourself.

The majority of burglars are recidivists who know what they are doing - you might get the odd one or two randoms who are high on drugs or alcohol and chancing their arm - but most burglars are criminals who know the score.

They know that sentences for breaking into a residential home at night when people are in the house are much higher than breaking into an empty home. Most (not all I know!) would not choose to engage with people if they know they are in.

Don't open the door but do indicate there are people in the house.

Original poster

ProbablyDramatic · 22/08/2018 23:40

Ok three loud beeps have just went off, inside my house!!! I don't know what it is, what the holy fuck is happening tonight!!!

OP posts:

MeyMary · 22/08/2018 23:42

Yes, I'd be a bit scared as well. I'd definitely turn on a light...

How crazy is your ex? I think I'd get a peephole and one of these doorchains/those that additionally lock the door asap.

My aunt and uncle were so often burgled that they also got lockable shutters and a security system...

Do you sleep on the ground floor?

If not: draw the shutters closed and lock the door to the bedroom/have your phone and mobile next to you? Idk. I'm probably overly cautious...

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 22/08/2018 23:43

Ok, that is freaky! Erm. Panic?

PsychoPumpkin · 22/08/2018 23:43

Could it be one of your fire alarms running out of power? Ours sometimes loudly announce that they’d like another battery

ShadyLady53 · 22/08/2018 23:43

I really feel for you, I’ve been in this situation. Is there any possibility someone could be in your house? Is it an alarm? Someone taking a digital item from your home? Can you lock yourself in your bedroom or bathroom and either call strongman or the police?

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 22/08/2018 23:43

Can you call a neighbour?

Original poster

ProbablyDramatic · 22/08/2018 23:44

I don't know what the three beeps were, first thought was fire alarm battery dying but then it only does one quick beep then..... it was upstairs m, near my bedroom, lying here frozen in fear... pretty sure it's all some stupid coincidence but fuck there goes sleep tonight!!!

OP posts:

youarenot · 22/08/2018 23:45

Oh no, the knocking would scare me at this time of night, the trying the door would totally freak me out!

The beeping could be something running out of battery - please, not you phone?!
Or.. Someone elses phone?! I'm paranoid as anything though!

BuntyII · 22/08/2018 23:45

Maybe the person at the door was your strongman friend coming over hoping for a bit of how's your father

Vicky1990 · 22/08/2018 23:46

Call the police, that's what we have them for.

Original poster

ProbablyDramatic · 22/08/2018 23:46

Tried to call neighbour but straight to voicemail! Anything else and I'll head out my window I think!!

OP posts:

MeyMary · 22/08/2018 23:46

Time to call strongman?

He could have a look around the house, have a cup of tea, talk loudly... (Or sleep over, depends on your relationship...)

youarenot · 22/08/2018 23:49

Beeping stopped?

Bobbybear10 · 22/08/2018 23:50

Call strongman friend? Or if you don’t want to talk out loud text him?

Isn’t there a number you type in if you call the police but can’t speak? They then know it’s an emergency and send someone straight out, or maybe I watch too much trashy tv.

FuckyDuzz · 22/08/2018 23:50

Is there anyone else you can ring?

DeusEx · 22/08/2018 23:50

Do you know any other neighbours?

If may sound paranoid but maybe worth a text to another - for peace of mind?

On beeps - I freaked out over this a few weeks ago. It was the washing machine announcing it was done. I swear I just hadn’t realised it made that noise until I was home alone and in a freaked out kind of mood already

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