Really scared as neighbour knocking on the door at this time

[Sinead777]

I’ve recently moved into a new house. My partner is currently abroad with work so it’s just me in the house. I was just having a really relaxing bath, reading a good book, when I heard a loud banging on the downstairs door. Assuming it’s a neighbour (we live in a quiet cul de sac and not sure who else it’s likely to be), but anyway I obviously just ignored as in the bath but he continued knocking. It’s left me really scared/jumpy, sorry to be a dramatic woman making an issue out of what is probably nothing, but isn’t it a bit late to be knocking on people’s doors? Our front door has a large glass panel in it so even if you are on the upstairs landing someone on the door could see you, so I literally don’t even want to come out of the bathroom. Would anyone else find this odd or have I been watching too many programmes about serial killers lol

Personally I'd probably answer it but with my phone in my hand in case of a problem. Or shout out the window, at least then you'd know what it was rather than imaging being bludgeoned to death

It would annoy me more, not knowing who it was at the door.

Do something about the door, please. Either have a new door that only has a small window at the top with obscured glass or get an over door curtain. You need privacy.

It was a bit late for carol singers but you'll probably never know who knocked; yes it could have been someone in difficulty but they would have eventually gone to another neighbour so don't worry.

I'd be getting the door changed.

I either look out of the window or through the spyhole. If I don't know them, I shout out - who are you.
The door then either gets opened or not. I do this regardless of the time of day. Could be 10 am or 10 pm and if someone has dodgy intentions they will still do it.
I've had packages delivered late, especially this time of the year. Also had plainclothes police at 3 am. Lost delivery driver. My door by mistake and genuinely looking for the neighbours' door. A friend who had lost their mobile and needed help. Plus others that I have forgotten about.

You are less in danger if you answer the door than if you don't. Your average burglar doesnt want to have to fight you to steal stuff and your average murderer doesnt knock on doors to find their victims. If you answer the door that indicates your are in and therefore if it is a burglar they will leave you alone. Also most knocking at the door late at night is important either someone trying to help you or someone needing help.

@GreenGrove **There have apparently been increasing incidences of burglers knocking on doors. Most people are leaving lights on at the moment in the approach to Christmas so they're knocking to see whether there's an answer. If there isn't they're apparently coming back a short while later and attempting break ins. Our local constabulary have been posting all week warning people on their Facebook page. Be careful OP

Thanks!

To the people making rude remarks, I’ve just googled and the vast majority of burglars knock before doing anything else. Many also pose as a passer by needing help.

If it was a burglar I'd think it would be better to let them know you are in but without answering the door , eitber by talking to them through it or sjouting out the window. At least then they know the house isn't empty

It could’ve been a burglar, but it could’ve been a neighbor or a lost delivery driver. But it doesn’t matter now as you’ll never know!

Yes, they do knock to find out if you're in. If there's a more than one, they will often take turns knocking over a period of days whilst they are scouting you out.

They have many, many ploys to find out if the place is empty.

Then there are the distractors - getting you to the front door, so someone else can enter somewhere else.

Of course, not all operate like this and there are the opportunists who just go for it.

I’m getting a ring doorbell for this very reason. Want to be able to have a conversation if it’s late at night. I don’t answer late at night but our neighbourhood has had a difficult woman pounding on doors demanding money and getting nasty. Don’t blame you at all for being nervous - esp as you were in the bath!

If it happens again, just shout down from an upstairs window (and then you don't have to open the door).
It could just be a delivery.

rb68 coloured towel advice really made me laugh.

My local takeaway frequently tries to deliver to me late at night. Their very nice but confused driver is trying to deliver to the street parallel to ours. Happens regularly, we're on good terms now.

I Often dont answer the door, I dont always answer the phone either, although some of the post on here make sense. So you could have stuck your head out the window. Probably just needed help locating someone, trouble is now you will be wondering who it was.

Last time I had a knock at that time the neighbour was telling me I’d left my car window down and it was raining. I was pleased I answered!!

And if it was a potential burglar that was checking if anyone was home wouldn’t it be better to answer than to have them think the house is empty?

Two easy things to do. First, get a chain fitted, then you can always open the door with the chain on in these circumstances. Second, cover up your glass panel with any standard white paper (sheets of A4 even) and light will still come through but people won't be able to see in.

Probably nothing to worry about. I wouldn't of answered either, if it's important someone will try again I guess

Yanbu. The only people that ever knock on doors are axe wielding maniacs looking for their next victim. It's completely logical to be really scared, and you should definitely stay in the bathroom. That way when the madman has door knocked his way in, he can announce 'here's Johnny' when he's hacked through the bathroom door. Not at all dramatic or ridiculous

God you're naive!

Turn lights on and off in a couple of front rooms, call someone while you do it to help you feel less anxious. If it was someone checking if the house is vacant then they'll know it wasn't as they'll see activity.

Highly likely it was just a delivery driver trying to get you to take a parcel for neighbour, this time of year they knock late and they knock loud!

I must like living dangerously. Before I got a dog, and before OH moved in, I was once woken up around 3am by someone knocking on my door. I just opened it to find a drunk man with a carrier bag of booze. He was like “Is Steve there?”. I was like “no, Bugger off he lives round the corner ”. Drunk man apologised and wandered off. I went back to bed. The end.

Pj no, just a grown up.

You said he, in regards to knocking, was that just a figure of speech? Otherwise I was wondering how you knew it was a he?

I reckon people's attitudes depend on the area they live in- at one of our previous houses no way would I have answered the door, was weary even during the day actually.

Another house I'd be straight on the phone to the police as there's no legal way to reach the back door during the evening!

I'd probably answer at our current house though I might not open the door straight away unless I recognised who it was.

I would assume I’d left the car lights on or door open - this used to happen fairly regularly —as DS is daft— & our kind neighbours have saved us a soaked car or two

TrainspottingWelsh Watched the Shining again recently with dd. Much scarier than I remember. Dd was unimpressed with me.
Current thing here is people knocking saying they are charity collectors then asking loads of intrusive burglary-prep type questions.