To have called the police?

[imadethedecision]

Over a year now of listening to my neighbour verbally abuse his wife every single weekend without fail when he’s drunk.
He’s almost retirement age and the stuff he screams at his wife is vile.
I’ve asked for advice on here before and it’s been a 50:50 divide of some people saying that reporting it would make it worse for her and others saying I should report it.
I’m almost certain it is just verbal abuse, not physical from the things he’s screaming, and during his 3 hour rants she stays totally silent.
She’s pretty timid and won’t even look you in the eye out on the street.
Anyway tonight I made the decision to report it.
He’s been screaming at her solidly since around 2pm and his language is vile.
I hope it doesn’t make things worse for her.
Also selfishly worried he’ll know it’s me and I’ve got young kids in the house.

Good on you op

Probably someone has said this already (I haven't read every single post) but "just verbal abuse" is every bit as bad as physical violence. The damage this kind of abuse does to the receiver over time is immeasurable.

I grew up with a father like this. (Except that he wasn't drunk.) To hear over and over and over again that you are rubbish, that you are hated, to hear threats and curses and insults over and over again, this leads in many cases to long-standing depression, chronic anxiety and a chronic lack of confidence. It is soul-destroying.

You did the right thing, calling the police. Please carry on calling them. People get away with this kind of abuse far too often because other people (neighbours, colleagues, other family members, etc) tell themselves "It's probably not that serious" and "It's only verbal" and "It's not really my role to report this."

Have you tried recording him, OP?