Suspicious man picked up on camera

[mrsdaz]

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.

[caughtinanet]

Poppingoneout - I don't think that's right about using cctv in court, I think there are circumstances when it can be used, maybe they didn't apply in your case but I'm pretty sure that's not a blanket rule.

[Pigflewpast]

Of course cctv can be used in Court, it’s how a lot of burglars are convicted. We were told to get cctv by police and our cctv has been used to convict a neighbour of harassment many times. ( the fact they’re still here to carry on is another thread)

[PoppingOneOutIn2020]

@caughtinanet it might be just our local police policy? Should have some clear rules on it though as it seems a lot of people arent sure if it can be used or not.

To be fair I never understood why or how they could say they couldn't use CCTV from someones house to investigate a crime. Just seems absolutely bonkers.

[NicciLovesSundays]

Report it to the police. Do not post the images to facebook.

[Sandybval]

I'd email them to the police, or PM them on Facebook (most not have social media pages). It's not an emergency, but it could help them with other enquiries, and in honesty even with a camera it's not certain he won't come back to your house. Those channels will be monitored as and when so won't be diverting police time away from emergencies; and if they aren't interested (which they likely will be) then no harm done. I wouldn't post on social media, if they see it and know where you live which they do they might think screw it may as well do something now. Don't put yourself in any danger.

[LuckyLou7]

111 is for health advice OP, please don't phone them. I would report to local police, there may have been a spate of burglaries recently and this man could be responsible. it doesn't sound like he was innocently loitering on your drive from what you've described. I wouldn't go down the social media route.

[Likethebattle]

This happens on our village Facebook and then the hysteria starts. ‘I just saw a random van anyone know who it is?’ ‘There are two guys parked up in a car, i’m just gonna run down and have a ‘chat’, see what they are up to!’

Someone even posted about a suspicious van at night which was the milkman ffs!

[RosaWaiting]

caughtinanet "people are always either glad about the heads up or sometimes can provide an innocent explanation."

I'd agree people are glad for a heads up but I'm curious to know what explanations have been offered?

[RosaWaiting]

I came off the local WhatsApp for mum's area because they were sending constant messages of "ooh, does anyone recognise this car". But I do think what OP saw is worth contacting 101 for.

[BluebellsAndRoses]

Of course you should report it to the police!
It's their JOB to stop criminals - burglars included!

[FrogOfFrogHall]

By the way police would never charge you with wasting police time for honestly sharing information with them with good intentions. Even if the information isn't useful to them. Wasting police time is more for when people have been dishonest and made false reports (that can be proven to be false) or repeated nuisance calls to the emergency number etc.

[Cheeserton]

Someone apparently equipped to break in loitering near your door? Yes, Police!

'Better things to do' or 'they won't be interested' is tripe. You have a photo, he may be known or they could link him to actual offences. Report it (non-emergency line, obvs).

[shirlm]

Yes ring 101, log with police. He may have gone elsewhere afterwards so this may be really helpful evidence..

[browzingss]

You can call 101 or the police force’s online web chat to report this, they’ll let you know know if an officer would like to see the footage or not.

[Ticklemeelmo]

Report it to the police and let them know you have clear cctv footage.

Years ago I had a guy walk up off the street and look right into my living room window, when I rang 101 they said I should have called 999 instead- so they should definitely take yours seriously.

[mussolini9]

If it’s innocent then no harm done.

Yup, 'cos posting vids of innocent people on social media & accusing them of criminal activity isn't over the top at all.
How would YOU feel if it happened to you & you were plastered all over your local FB page for locals to gossip & speculate about?

OP - if you are convinced this man was definitely planning nefarious activity FFS dial 111 & send them a clip of the video. Posting about it on MN isn't going to help you.

[mussolini9]

apologies, dial 101 of course!