Found an unattended rucksack.

[Moofreemum1]

Found a plain black unattended rucksack in a children park a min ago. I was with my toddler and didn't want to touch it. Didn't know what was in it e.g. drugs or now adays who knows what's in there. So I called the non emergency number and they said they don't have resources to go and check it.
Was I being unreasonable calling them? She said may be you could go back and check? Made me feel stupid for ringing. It prob is the case someone left it there but you can never be too careful now adays. So was ibu?

In a playpark, I'd have left it and hoped the owner returned. Or looked for contact details.

At the O2, NHS, Houses of Parliament, large arena etc. , I'd have alerted the security people.

I really don't think the police are bothered about small time, rucksack based, drug dealing these days .

I think that's a bit of an over the top reaction. I'd have opened it to see if there were any clues as to who owned it.

Probably a school kid who has forgotten their bag.

I wouldn’t touch it. There was a pipe bomb at our children’s play area a few years ago. In a naice village. So I’d have been the same as you!

I would have had a careful look inside. It's probably a parent's bag who left with a tantrumming toddler or something? Then you could have put it on a local FB page that you've found it to try and reunite.

As someone who grew up on London during the 70s when the IRA were a constant threat, I would probably have rung the non-emergency number for advice too OP.

I think it's a bit much asking you to go and check it out! Although unlikely it could have explosives, or sharps or weapons in it.

I would have opened it as well. As someone has said its almost certainly someone who goes through the park on their way to school. It wouldnt have crossed my mind to ring the police.

I’d have opened it, then again I found one near me about 1 week after the Manchester Arena bomb and we live within 200m of the mosque where the bomber went. So I did think about calling the police, but then I thought I’d be nosy. I did nearly shit myself when just as I was about to put my hand on the bag, my phone beeped and I nearly had a heart attack! It turned out to be a child’s bag that had been stolen from a parked car, and been dumped on my road.

It depends where you saw it I guess!m
I saw an unattended suitcase in London on a side street, so I called over some police who happened to walk past at the right time.

If I found one in my local park I’d try post it on our local social media. But if it was a London Park then I’d speak to a police officer - they’re usually in the area.

I wouldnt go near it either.

I'd have opened it to try and find the owners details.

Most drug dealers don't leave bags of gear lying around

I would have opened it, if it was a school one I prob would have dropped it at the school if it was an adults one I would just pop it in to the local police station.
If it was full of kittens I would call RSPCA.

I should add I found another bag in exactly the same place previously that had also been stolen from a nearby car, before the bombing, so I thought it was another dumped bag, fortunately don’t live there any more, there was a lot of car crime.

90% it's prob something really innocent and a parents rucksack but that 10% in my mind told me not to touch it.

@iheartarya a pipe bomb really! I'm in a small village too. It was tucked beneath a bench. Most likely forgotten but like I said you never know?

I wouldn’t have touched it I live in Northern Ireland we are advised never to touch unattended bags and to ring for further assistance

It either belongs to a schoolkid or a homeless person. Either way, leave it where it is and they will come and find it

Didn't look like a kids rucksack more like an adults. May be left yesterday over the weekend perhaps

Yes it was quite a shock for the residents!

Lol! Just leave it. Someone will come back for it. What must it be like inside your head?!

another Londoner here, I would have done what you did. Why risk it? Could be nothing, could be a nail bomb.

@bluebrushing I'd rather be safe with my toddler around thanks

By lack of resources they meant they didn't want to disturb the bomb squad.

It was probably left by a spy for another spy. Just leave it.

I wouldn't have touched it with a barge pole.

Military family been drummed into me since I was a bairn. Old habits die hard.

Or it could be ransom money.

What must it be like inside your head?! That's my reaction to so much on MN :)