To call the police about creepy car on street

[sianais]

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.

[mayhew]

I would think drug dealing. They like Mercs.

[Jackietheduck]

If they were drug dealing the OP would see ppl approach their car though? She only ever saw one person leave it? Also if they were just using the floor length open window as a location to direct customers, they would not need to park in a restricted space which made them even more obvious. I’d have thought they wouldn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to themselves?

They could just be on the phone talking to someone rather than using the phone camera? Lots of people don’t hold the phone to their ear anymore?

[WellThisIsShit]

I’m glad you called the police last night.

Hopefully the car will turn up tonight and so will the police, and the whole thing can end.

It sounds like you have some sensible self preservation going on, and won’t be tempted to stage some US crime drama entrapment bust as JLG19 has suggested! Walking towards danger completely alone, unprotected and without the means to call for help isn’t my idea of a great plan, even if it means the police eventually might get some evidence of a crime being committed, after the fact. I’m not keen on being a sacrificial lamb, and I hope you aren’t up for the role OP!

[ApolloandDaphne]

Sounds worrying. My best guess is that someone is stalking you and wants a glimpse of you in your bedroom. They seem to know when you go to bed and that you keep your curtains open. This would explain why they went away quickly when you closed your curtains. It is possible they now know you are on to them and won't come back.

[Zintox]

I'd be tempted to hire a floodlight and just switch it on them when they park up.

[DGRossetti]

.

[MTBMummy]

Only just seen this thread, but wanted to jump on and send hugs for this weekend (very unmumsnetty I know)

I do hope they bugger off and leave you alone, but glad to hear the police are understanding of the situation.

[liverbird79]

Could we call a mumsnet meeting and block the car in when it arrives at either end of the street?

Block them
Until the police arrive.

[DartmoorDoughnut]

@liverbird79 totally up for that

[ar44455]

@WellThisIsShit JLG said walk past her window not go outside and confront them maybe you should read what she wrote properly !

[ar44455]

Defiantly doesn't sound at all like drug dealing to me !

[JLG19]

WellThisIsShit yes, because that's what I suggested

[ar44455]

If I saw them again I was call the police again first and then open the curtains and window and just stare down at the car

[ambereeree]

I had this. It was drug dealers. Used to park in the road opposite my house waiting for customers

[TinyTickler]

This is so creepy, I hope the police manage to speak with them.

[ohfourfoxache]

Bloody hell

Is there anyone who could stay with you tonight?

[StormTreader]

If they turn up again, don't close your curtains and phone the police - you want them to still be there so the police can catch them to "have a word" and find out whats going on.

[Abitlost2015]

I hope the police manage to speak to them tonight and they can get back to you. I’d feel calmer if I had an idea of what’s going on.

[HollowTalk]

But nobody's going up to the car, are they, so not very good drug dealers!

[bobstersmum]

While this sounds very creepy it could be something innocent. We used to have a car park across the road at same time every day for an hour, a man on his own sat in it. It worried me. It turned out after some investigation it was a chap who worked at the factory nearby he was in his meal break and parked there as it was peaceful. Could this be a similar thing? Could you ask someone to follow the car?

[IABURQO]

I've had a car keep parking on my old road before that was police, they were watching someone for.drugs. Another time there was a different car, no idea why the man kept staying in the car (a black mini). The car moved up and down the road to find parking spots, but the man always stayed in it on his own. I thought of reporting him but one day he just stopped.
Neither of those are quite like your case OP. Get locked in safely tonight, can anybody come to stay with you? Agree with leaving your curtains open, but then just stay out of sight until the police have been. If there is a mirror or other glass in that room (e.g. windows reflecting the other side), make sure you aren't in sight of the reflections either.

[HalfDivided]

While this sounds very creepy it could be something innocent. We used to have a car park across the road at same time every day for an hour, a man on his own sat in it. It worried me. It turned out after some investigation it was a chap who worked at the factory nearby he was in his meal break and parked there as it was peaceful.

What ‘investigation’ did you do? I can’t believe you’d be worried by someone sitting in a CAR PARK during the daytime for an hour each day!? I totally get why OP is scared, but this is just being a busybody. I really hope you didn’t approach that poor guy asking him to justify why he was sat in a car in a car park during lunchtime.

[Redglitter]

@Racecardriver Actially this kind of call is easily followed up. It's not been established why they're there it could prevent a crime. I'm a Police Despatcher & we do periodically get calls like this. Actually had one last week quite similar. The fact it's a recurring problem we would definitely make some enquiries. It can often be sorted with a few phone calls.

[ZigZagIntoTheBlue]

Hugs for tonight, hopefully it'll turn out to be an innocent explanation

[mumof2andsurviving]

Really hope you are holding up ok. It sounds so stressful. Sending hugs for tonight xx