Scared.. am about to get burgled?

[BananaSpljt]

My own stupid fault I know. Been trying to sell quite a high value item on fb for a while now, really need the money and keep getting let down by prospective buyers. Somebody said they could pick it up yesterday afternoon so I gave them my address.

Then they said they couldn't come until 10pm. I said that wasn't convenient (dangerous) but they could come today, said text before coming as I will make sure either I or my boyfriend's home (I'm actually single, live alone with my toddler).

They said they'd come around 7.30. I spoke to my DM and she said was a bad idea - it's a young man, 20 max. Just feels dodgy. So I messaged him this morning saying really sorry but it had been sold. No reply.

From exactly 7.30 somebody has been thumping on my door every few minutes. They've still not left. It's making me so anxious. And my little window in the kitchen is open, though would have to jump over the back gate to get to that, and the window is v little.

Dunno, I'm just really scared. Why would you knock for half an hour if you weren't planning on robbing somebody? Luckily my DD is in bed with me. I'm just waiting for some glass to smash or to hear footsteps up the stairs. Luckily I have a police marker already on my house due to DV so hopefully they'd come quickly. I suffer with severe anxiety as it is. Feel like I'm going to have a panic attack

Don't want to worry you on an already bad day but remember your ex might have found you via FB selling. Keep your wits about you. Take care.

I thought exactly what reenchanted said, he turned up (with mates) at the previously arranged time to kick off because you’d sold it. I obviously have no idea if he was initially planning on robbing you but your instincts were spot on that he’s not someone you want to have any sort of dealings with.

Hopefully he will drop it now but it would put me on edge and I’d be more cautious and vigilant about security for a little while, I might even see if someone would come and stay with me for a few days. I have anxiety too but I do actually think there’s an element of threat here so taking extra precautions would be sensible rather an anxiety-driven reaction.

OP make sure and shut the little kitchen window!

I've left the front room light on. Would you leave your bedroom door open or closed if you were me? Open so you're more likely to hear something, or closed so they'd be less likely to come in? DD is in with me. No option of getting anyone to stay. Slept awfully last night so am really tired but am struggling to stop worrying.

I would turn the light off and switch the TV on instead. If you’re worried it’s going to keep you awake, you can keep it on silent. A tv is more likely make people think you’re just sitting up late. A light could mean you just forgot to turn it off.

Prop something against your doors that will make noise, if opened.

The chances of anything happening is really slim, but if being prepared helps you sleep, then go for it.

So sorry to hear it’s exacerbated some anxiety for you, I know the feeling! Not easy to tell yourself to think rationally in situations like this.

In all honesty, if it was me I’d probably close the bedroom door and move something behind it (if possible and without alarming DD) so it can’t be opened. That way you will hopefully be able to rest a bit easier knowing you’re fully secure!

Hope you manage to get some rest.

I very much doubt they'll try to break in but block him on Facebook anyway.

Of course! Put something in front of the door! The only thing I could move by myself was my chest of drawers, you could force it out the way but it's quite heavy and I'd at least hear it. This makes me feel better in case it is my ex anyway. He knows where I live anyway to answer that concern, it's not financially possible for me to move unfortunately. The fire brigade fitted extra fire alarms last year and there's other safety measures in place but it can be scary sometimes. He's been quiet for a few months though, which is heaven. Really hope it wasn't him earlier.

Ive turned the tv on and blocked Facebook boy. Waiting to hear on a job at the other end of the country, I so hope I get it and I can be at ease in my own home for once (as long as I stay of the Facebook selling pages ).

Thanks so much everyone

Really hope you get the job Banana, wishing you all the very best, let us know how you get on. , 🌺

Op get yourself some of the cheapest most under-rated security devices there are. Door wedges, get the rubber ones as they don't slide over the carpet.
I'm a woman living alone too and it's part of my nightly ritual to put door wedges on the downstairs internal and external doors and on my bedroom door (which I leave a couple of inches slightly ajar.)

Another security tactic if your door hinges are adjacent to a angled wall is to put something behind your front/back door so it will only open a few inches - something like a small stool, wood log, tin of paint etc. Door chains are a false security imo - a good shouldering has those little screws popping out of the wooden frame in seconds.