Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Suspicious man picked up on camera

67 replies

mrsdaz · 17/07/2019 23:04

We were out this evening for my sons birthday. Whilst out we had a motion detector sensor notification on our camera doorbell. There’s a man lingering around our drive, he doesn’t knock but comes close enough to notice the camera - then backs away and kicks a stone on the drive in either frustration or worry about what to do.

On zooming in he has what looks like a bar or hammer in the back of his jeans. He’s holding a piece of paper and something else in his other hand that looks like a screwdriver or a vaping device.

My hubby thinks we should ignore it but I want to post it onto Facebook local page to see if anyone knows this person and whether he has a reputation.

I basically want to know if he intended to burgle us and to be reassured that the camera had good effect i suppose?

We don’t know him as have quite a clear facial picture.

OP posts:

Jamiefraserskilt · 17/07/2019 23:08

I hope you spoke through the doorbell and asked what he wanted? If not then he is acting suspiciously as he didn't ring, post away!

Giraffey1 · 17/07/2019 23:09

Why not compromise. Post on your local FB page and say you’ve seen someone hanging around and to be extra vigilant just in case. If it’s innocent then no harm done. If he is dodgy then everyone is forewarned.

sheshootssheimplores · 17/07/2019 23:11

I love those doorbells with the camera.

GoodBoyGhost · 17/07/2019 23:17

Surely you'd report this to the police?

RubbingHimSourly · 17/07/2019 23:17

Ring 101 and log it. Police may recognise him if he has a history.

IncandescentShadow · 17/07/2019 23:17

That's very suspicious. I'd email it to the police to see if they have any matching descriptions of similarly behaving individuals.

LoafofSellotape · 17/07/2019 23:20

Yes ,FB and Mumsnet is the first place I'd post if a bloke with a hammer was on my drive. I definitely wouldn't ring the police.

Redwinestillfine · 17/07/2019 23:23

Show police. He may be on their radar.

AquaPris · 17/07/2019 23:40

I would call the police, he's obviously wanting to rob your house

HennyPennyHorror · 17/07/2019 23:42

Jamie why would she speak through the door when she was out when the man was there?

OP just report to the police.

MissEliza · 17/07/2019 23:45

Definitely report to police and share online.

MrsTerryPratchett · 17/07/2019 23:45

Yes ,FB and Mumsnet is the first place I'd post if a bloke with a hammer was on my drive. I definitely wouldn't ring the police.

Excellent sarcasm, well placed. FB FFS. Really?

twattymctwatterson · 17/07/2019 23:47

Why would reporting to the police not be your first choice? The guy could have been a tradesman who wasn't 100% on what house he was heading to and realised he had the wrong one.

Don't accuse someone publicly of something- especially as the only benefit it'll actually bring you is likes and shares.

chzarind · 17/07/2019 23:47

Bloody hell don't post it on Facebook.

If you have concerns contact the police.

Runkle · 17/07/2019 23:50

Just ring 101. Don't go down the social media route..unless you want endless notifications of people saying 'shared in xx hun'

McShakey · 18/07/2019 00:16

Ring 101, they can give you real advice

TwistyTop · 18/07/2019 00:21

Definitely contact the police

Original poster

mrsdaz · 18/07/2019 00:30

Hubby thinks it’s silly to ring police as they have more important things to be doing and he didn’t actually do anything other than scope out the house it seems.

I have been wondering though whether he proceeded further into the estate and has attempted someone else’s house - hence why i thought to post on the local social media groups.

Thanks for all the replies - I think I’ll ring 111 tomorrow and tell them about it - that way if something has happened then can choose whether to view the Cctv or not.

We were out at my sons bday meal so by the time we responded to the notification it was long enough for him to be out of range to hear us talking through the intercom for those who asked.

OP posts:

AcrossthePond55 · 18/07/2019 00:30

Contact the police, tell them what you saw on your camera and let them know that if there has been any trouble in the neighbourhood that you may have the culprit on video.

We have a Ring doorbell and that's what our local sheriff's office has asked Ring owners to do. Our Sheriff's Dept actually posts on the Ring 'neighbours' board with BOLOs or requests for video from certain areas at certain times.

ContactLight · 18/07/2019 00:32

Either he's a tradesman at the wrong address (as a pp suggests above) or he's up to no good.

This is a job for the police. They may be extremely interested, especially if other houses in nearby street have already been burgled.

missbattenburg · 18/07/2019 00:34

why would she speak through the door when she was out when the man was there?

Because it sounds like the OP has a Ring doorbell, or similar. This is what they do. - allow you to talk to the person at the door even when you are out.

wheresmymojo · 18/07/2019 00:51

We've had a spate of similar incidents in our local area.

Our local police liaison officer has asked for all such incidents to be logged with 101 (there is also an online option to do this now) as it helps to identify patterns and also to consider the best use of their resources (for example if an area starts to be targeted).

Everyone also posts on the local FB group to show the short film from their doorbells/CCTV. Not accusing anyone per se but under a post saying 'Had a strange occurrence on our driveway while out overnight, posting just in case anyone else has had similar".

For all you/DH knows someone up the road could have been burgled and your footage could help the case.

DontCallMeShitley · 18/07/2019 01:07

There are often such posts and videos on our local FB groups, and the other neighbourhood groups.

One man posted a video of someone looking at his Ring doorbell. He returned later and burgled the house.

People are able to keep an eye out for suspicious activity when others post the information, also see if you have a local Police FB page, often called 'Inside whatever the place is' where you can post or send a message.

notangelinajolie · 18/07/2019 01:30

FB seriously? Call the police.

Monty27 · 18/07/2019 01:34

And you didn't even go home? Nor call the police?

Flip

1 2 3