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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Teens on the roof

33 replies

MyLifeIsAppleCrumbling · 21/01/2019 17:16

This is probably a ridiculous situation but I really do feel unsafe. For about 2 months we've been hearing footsteps on the roof atleast once or twice a week. I tried to ignore it but it really freaked me out and it only ever seemed to be when DH was at work. But finally it happened while he was home (around 4pm) so I'm officially not losing the plot. There was alot of banging and talking and laughing. Then a phone rang right outside our bedroom window. We peaked out the curtains and there was 2 teens (I'd say 14/15) stood on a ledge DIRECTLY outside our bedroom window. They were talking to atleast one other on the roof. One had a pocket knife out so we decided not to confront them.

We live in the centre of a town above a shop in a row of flats. They're not people from the other flats. There is only a small fenced area above a high drop, a fire escape that's locked from the outside and has high walls on either side, or the main stairwell that's only accessible with keys but you can hear that door open and close from our home. The door doesn't go. We believe they're climbing over the fence or the wall (no security cameras). Where they're climbing the roof, theyre using the TV antenna and pulling it away from the wall, they're pulling the paint off of the wall, and we went out after they left and the entire terrace smelled of weed. They're stomping around so hard I'm terrified they'll fall through. There are atleast two babies living up here. I feel so unsafe and don't know how to stop this.

Aibu to call the police if it happens again? 101 not 999.

OP posts:
Kko1986 · 21/01/2019 17:21

Call the non emergency number and report it as if you don't and are aware of it the person who owns the building could be held liable I believe if an accident happens I may be wrong though

Pk37 · 21/01/2019 17:21

Yes you should call the police , definitely

MuddyMoose · 21/01/2019 17:22

Absolutely call the police. It's unsafe for them, intrusive for you & could cause damage to the roof / building.

FairyMoppings · 21/01/2019 17:23

Of course you should

ineedaholidaynow · 21/01/2019 17:26

I caught teens on the roof of the local school a few months ago. They ran off before I could do anything. I let a teacher friend know who had contact details for the caretaker, so they could check whether there had been any damage. Friend asked me to also report it to the police, using non-emergency number.

So yes report to the police, and report again if they do it again.

ApolloandDaphne · 21/01/2019 17:28

I would go 999 for fear they caved the roof in or fell off and seriously hurt themselves.

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 21/01/2019 17:28

Do you know who owns or manages the building?

If so I would contact them as well as they may be able to prevent them from having access or install CCTV to deter them

SuchAToDo · 21/01/2019 17:37

Of course you should call the police, if you know the times they are likely to be on the roof then tell the police too (if they know when they are likely to be there, then they are more likely to be successful in catching them )...since you saw one had a knife, I wouldn't confront them or even let them know I'm aware they are there, you have yourself, your husband, your kids etc safety to think of, tell the police and let them handle it, then each time you hear them up there call the police , until they move them on

WorraLiberty · 21/01/2019 17:42

Sounds like an awful situation

But I'm curious to know why you wouldn't call the police?

Are you worried they might twig it's you?

MyLifeIsAppleCrumbling · 21/01/2019 17:50

Worra, yes I'm really worried they'd come back and hurt somebody.

OP posts:
MyLifeIsAppleCrumbling · 21/01/2019 17:51

They clearly carry knives for a reason

OP posts:
MyLifeIsAppleCrumbling · 21/01/2019 17:51

Just checked on Google maps, the roof is flat

OP posts:
Jaxhog · 21/01/2019 17:55

If you catch them on your ledge again, call 999. They could have intended to break into your residence, or they might have fallen off the ledge. Either way, you need the police there ASAP to stop them.

In the meantime, report to 101.

steppemum · 21/01/2019 18:02

I agree with Jaxhog, you should call the police while they are on the building.

On a ledge outside your bedroom window with a knife.
That is enough reason to call, even if they are just mucking around, they need to knwo that they can't.

SuchAToDo · 21/01/2019 18:02

yes I'm really worried they'd come back and hurt somebody.They clearly carry knives for a reason

You need to make the police aware of this (that you are afraid reporting them will make you a target)

Can where they are on the roof be seen from the street/road?..if so maybe the police can act as though they are driving past and have spotted them and stopped to ask what they are doing up there....in other words make it appear that you haven't called the police on them...

If they carry knives you definitely need them.moved on,

Mybigmessyhair · 21/01/2019 18:04

999 say you suspect a breakin.
Kids up on roof are up to no good night be casing the joint out to rob it.

Mybigmessyhair · 21/01/2019 18:05

And they are carrying a knife...it’s 999 not 101
Knives are carried by thugs who intend to use them

Racecardriver · 21/01/2019 18:06

Natural selection carries on despite modern medicine it seems. Next time please call the police. This is an accident waiting to happen.

woolduvet · 21/01/2019 18:20

Agree with the police but can you make the roof more 'unwelcoming'
Some of that anti vandal paint on things they'd touch, or a spot of creosote stinks.

OftenHangry · 21/01/2019 18:21

Tbh honest someone standing on a roof by your window with a knife warrants calling an emergency police, not just 101Shock
Do not hesitate to do it.

SuchAToDo · 21/01/2019 18:26

Op don't want to scare you, but if you can hear them, then likely they may be able to hear you...so if you are calling the police (and I would if there was someone outside with a knife)..then you may want to go in a room furthest away from where they are , so they don't hear it's you, and so that they don't hear and leave before the police can get to them...

SuchAToDo · 21/01/2019 18:33

Tbh honest someone standing on a roof by your window with a knife warrants calling an emergency police, not just 101shock Do not hesitate to do it

I agree, I wouldn't feel safe if that was happening to me...

Op if they are outside your window what's to stop them breaking in one day...they have at least one knife that you know of, I'd be worried for my safety, Op I know it's scary to go to the police, but the police can remove them and offer you protection of it came to a situation where you needed it....what's the alternative?..they keep hanging around on your roof and you and your family feel afraid and intimidated and stressed in your own home?...

Foreverlexicon · 21/01/2019 18:34

I’m a police call handler.

Ring on 101 tonight and explain what happened and describe the one with the knife. That needs to be reported.

Then if it happens again, ring 999. There is a potential threat to life so the response rate will be fast if they are currently on the roof.

Sparklesocks · 21/01/2019 18:37

It’s illegal to carry knives. That alone can warrant a police report, let alone trespassing etc.

Goldenhedgehogs · 21/01/2019 22:45

The advice about calling police seems very sensible but if you want to dissuade teens from hanging around buy a mobile phone blocker. It stops their mobiles from working so they will move on to find a better spot. It works through walls so they will not know it is you. Obviously it would work on your mobile too so you would only switch it on while they were hanging around. Blockers used to be legal to buy but illegal to use so don't have it out on display or talk about using one. I heard it worked a treat on moving on teens hanging around flats stairwell and dealing drugs.

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