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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To call the police about creepy car on street

291 replies

sianais · 19/09/2018 01:06

Hi all,

Hoping there's someone up who can make me feel a little better. Basically for the last few nights a black Mercedes has been pulling up on the street with a direct view into my upstairs window (full length, curtains always open). Always after midnight. It sits there for around an hour sometimes more, sidelights on and no interior lights (occupants not even having phone screens on which light their faces...) but definitely people inside.

When this happened a few nights ago I saw the reflection of something pointed at my house as a car drove past - looks like a camera lens or similar. I called the police, they sent someone to drive by but they left without speaking to the car. 20 minutes ish later someone left the car, walked across the car park behind my house to another street. The car pulled off a little later.

I assumed it was a couples liaison or something and that I was imagining the lens reflection. It's been here for the last couple nights but I ignored it. Tonight I saw the reflection of something again and watched the drivers side occupant scratch their face clearly holding something and body positioned towards my house. Called police again and shut my curtains. Around 5 minutes later the car pulled away.

Am I being paranoid, or am I being watched?! Sitting here telling myself both things alternately. I live alone with my 3 year old daughter for context.

OP posts:
SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 21/09/2018 00:57

Really glad the police dispatcher was so helpful OP. I'd hate this - I hope it stops as quickly as it started. Sorry if I missed it upthread, but have you spoken to any neighbours about it?

Original poster
sianais · 21/09/2018 01:00

Yeah I think I might, will make me feel weird but it definitely seems like the curtains are the trigger (could be total coincidence obviously). Will try and sleep as I have work tomorrow. Utter nightmare. Definitely not sleeping well at the moment! TGIF has never been more accurate.

OP posts:
TheMaddHugger · 21/09/2018 01:07

Lots of (((((Hugs)))))) Flowers

Jackietheduck · 21/09/2018 01:13

It sounds so creepy. What can they view through that particular window? Is there a mirror hanging nearby? Is there any chance somebody has used your address for something? Agree that whatever reason they are there is connected to seeing something through your window. You said you like seeing the stars? Could your bed be visible?

ScarlettSahara · 21/09/2018 01:16

Hope you get things resolved OP Flowers.
Also think Mip’s suggestion is a good one.

BrendasUmbrella · 21/09/2018 01:17

Tomorrow, keep a close watch on the window so that you can call the police as soon as they pull up.

Fingers crossed this all gets resolved soon.

TotHappy · 21/09/2018 01:22

Eep, how scary! I hope this gets sorted tomorrow

Redglitter · 21/09/2018 01:30

I really don't understand why if they have the car reg no they're not making enquiries with the owner & sorting things out once and for all

MipMipMip · 21/09/2018 01:51

The car could be a clone, stolen or unregistered Red.

Redglitter · 21/09/2018 02:06

If it was stolen or suspect cloned they'd be taking a lot more action than they are. If it was unregistered they could tell the OP they've been unable to contact the owner. To just apparently do nothing seems very odd under the circumstances

brizzledrizzle · 21/09/2018 02:34

It'd bother me too, hope you get some answers op.

Shinesweetfreedom · 21/09/2018 03:23

How close are you to your neighbours.Could you be in one of their houses tomorrow night and leave your curtains open.

Ohb0llocks · 21/09/2018 08:39

Hope you get answers soon OP this would terrify me

Atchiclees · 21/09/2018 08:49

Very strange. I’m glad the Police are taking it seriously.

PoisonousSmurf · 21/09/2018 08:50

I live in a rural area and always close the curtains. If I want to see the stars I go outside.
Never understood the need to leave curtains open. It's as if people want others to see what they have in the house. Perfect for burglars to plan robberies!
Anyone could be standing out there, watching...

PoisonousSmurf · 21/09/2018 08:52

Maybe talk to a friend(s) and you can all go out with a very strong torch and pretend to be looking for a cat and shine the light into the car.
Then you'll have an idea who it is.

HalfDivided · 21/09/2018 09:02

Sounds very odd. I wonder if it’s a case of mistaken identity and whoever it is in the car thinks someone else lives at your address and is watching out for them. If you can’t think of anyone who’d have a reason to do this it seems very strange. They obviously have a very strong motivation to keep coming back, and they’re not trying to hide it either.

Hope you get some answers soon. Are you able to afford a cheap hotel for a short while? In your position I’d be parking down the street somewhere a bit out of view so I could see them arrive and call the police, but I’d then want to be away somewhere else to sleep as I wouldn’t be able to rest at all in the house.

Do you have any friends nearby who’ll come and be with you? If it was a friend of mine I’d totally come and sit with her in my own car to keep lookout then have her stay with me.’

TheLionRoars1110 · 21/09/2018 09:06

Can you ask a friend to stay?

Racecardriver · 21/09/2018 09:10

Wow, normally I would say you were being paranoid but this really does sound like they are watching you. Leave the police to deal with it, don't approach them. Hopefully there will be a reasonably innocent explication.

Jackietheduck · 21/09/2018 09:10

I wonder if they know what car you drive? Is it always at the same time?

A car parked outside our house every evening. Always left the engine running but never got out of the car. Turned out to be the boyfriend of the teenage girl next door who obviously wasn’t welcome in their house!

MrsJane · 21/09/2018 09:11

How strange OP! Definitely get cameras and an alarm to be on the safe side.

Did you ask your neighbours about it?

Racecardriver · 21/09/2018 09:13

@redglitter do you think they have the resources to chase up non-crimes. Until OP cleverly parked her car in an inconceniebt way to ascertain that they were parking there for a purpose rather than out of habit it wasn't even clear that there was anything untoward going on (could have just been an affair as PP said).

didyouseetheflaresinthesky · 21/09/2018 09:18

This is scary, why the fuck are they watching you. Hope the police catch them at it tonight and find out. I'd be terrified and probably have snapped by now and gone out there with a cricket bat demanding to know what the fuck they're playing at.

TheLionRoars1110 · 21/09/2018 09:20

It is possible to check who a vehicle belongs to. Have a look at the DVLA website. You have to explain your reasons and pay £5. I've done it for a client. It did take a few weeks though...

JLG19 · 21/09/2018 09:22

Oh this does sound worrying, OP. Try to leave the curtains open tonight, and call the police as soon as they arrive. Hopefully they will stay long enough for the police to get there.

I was thinking it might be an idea to innocently wander past the window, without making it obvious you know they're there, to give them an opportunity to take some photos of you. It would give solid evidence against them if found by the police. But that sounds a bit scary so not sure if I would do it myself!