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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we shouldn’t still be waiting for the police?

278 replies

Shoeshow · 29/12/2019 18:53

4.45am this morning a car crashed through my front fence, hitting both our cars (parked on the road) in the process. The driver got out and ran away. We called the Police who said they would be out to us in an hour.

While waiting for them to arrive, at 6.30am, the driver/friend of the driver came back to try and get their car - we go outside and they run away again, locking their car as they do so. (Relevant as probably means it’s not stolen)

Police arrive around 10, have a look at the scene but are then called out to a more urgent job so leave. They were here a total of around 3 minutes, didn’t take any details and told us to go to the police station to complete a statement form, which we have done.

That’s it. Nothing else since.

The car is still in our front garden, smashed fence and car debris is all over the pavement and our car insurance won’t start the ball rolling until they know details of the other driver / if it is a stolen vehicle etc.

AIBU to think the car should have been recovered by now? We are worried they are going to try and come back to get their car in the night - and the only way they would succeed is by causing more damage to our fence and the cars (as they are blocking it in)

What are we suppose to do?

OP posts:
Christmadtree · 30/12/2019 19:25

Op if I were you I'd take advice from a solicitor if possible.

Are the police dealing with it in terms of any criminal offence, I. E. Likely drunk or drug driver, or just doing the admin for an accident and letting insurance deal with it?

GabsAlot · 30/12/2019 19:32

sounds like theyve done the basics im afriad it will prob come out of your insurance but hey prob cheaper than fixing it yurself

sophe · 30/12/2019 19:36

Talk to your household/vehicle insurance co.

OldQueen1969 · 30/12/2019 19:40

Waves wearily and sympathetically to OP

Had a similar situation a few weeks back - made a thread too cos was astounded that the police were unable to look for the BMW driver who had shunted our housemates van two feet into our front wall, writing it off...... luckily the driver left us his actual number plate so ID wasn't an issue for them.

Housemate was away so I rang up the next morning for a crime number for the insurance, and was told the registered keeper would be sent a letter.......

Anyhoo, twice now we have had contact via our housemate from the PC in charge of the incident saying they would be round / in contact to pick up the number plate. It's still in our kitchen.

I know it's cuts and not the officer's faults, but if these things don't get followed up then a lunatic driver, possibly high or drunk may think they'll get a free pass.... until someone ends up dead......

We live in sad, strange times.

sjonlegs · 30/12/2019 19:41

Take LOTS of photos. I'd also contact council highways - as they have a responsibility for road traffic accidents - especially where damage has been done. Personally I'd contact the police again and AGAIN, and I'd invite some friends round for a late bottle or two of wine and keep watch!

DameFanny · 30/12/2019 19:57

Rtft @sjonlegs

Lovely13 · 30/12/2019 20:42

Back in 2004,, son was mugged with a knife held to him. He was 16. Police uninterested. London crime etc. Don’t think it’s just down to the cutbacks. Also. In the 80s, witnessed partner’s car being stolen in front of me. Again..police went meh.

Daisy12Maisie · 30/12/2019 20:50

We absolutely, desperately need more police. All the police I know work non stop all shift every shift and then on their days off work at home on their laptops catching up on admin. They dont get paid for all the admin they do on days off.
I'm from a police family and I would be absolutely devastated if my son joined the police as each officer seems to be doing the work of 4 officers. It's ridiculous and making them ill. Absolutey not the job they signed up for any more. I hope they make it out eventually to sort out the car situation.

Rachelfromfriends1 · 30/12/2019 21:00

I’m happy that progress has been made today, devastated that both your cars have been written off though! Hopefully your insurance comes through

Also hoping that this will be an expensive lesson for the twat that caused this

cabbageking · 30/12/2019 21:09

The council should not have out anything into your garden that was not already there.

chocolatefudgecake17 · 30/12/2019 22:01

@OrchidJewel we call it an insurance disk too. Also Irish. @CallmeAngelina is being a dick.

Original poster
Shoeshow · 30/12/2019 22:07

Thanks everyone. Sad to hear all the stories where help wasn’t given when needed.

I’ve been told it will be investigated, but how much I don’t know.

OP posts:
NotBeforeCoffee · 30/12/2019 22:28

Cuts have consequences.

Take a picture of the vin number as well as the registration number in case it’s on false plates.

I would take down the post re the area you live in because if someone has seen this car through your fence, or neighbours talk about it etc, and then they read this thread, your specific address will be known

Callaird · 30/12/2019 22:45

A car crashed into our neighbours car at 2:51 this morning, writing both off, the driver and passengers ran away, police arrived less than 20 minutes later, we all stood around for over an hour telling the police what we knew (we heard a loud bang, looked out the window and saw 2, 3 or 4 men run away!)

Around 4am we heard voices outside and 3 men were trying to push the car (probably trying to move it up the road a bit so we wouldn’t hear it started up) but the chassis was almost bent double so it was going nowhere, we called the police and a patrol car was a few minutes away, the men ran away when they saw the police car. We shouted out of the window to the officers and said that we would keep an eye and ear out and that we had switched the security cameras around so it was facing the car, we were convinced the men hadn’t gone far.

At 7am two council vehicles were outside removing all the debris, bagging it up and putting it in their vehicles, whilst we were plying them with coffee and bacon butties the council tow truck turned up to take the car away.

Neighbours had the crime number and the name and insurance details of the owners of the car and their car was picked up this evening by out local garage and a courtesy car dropped off, all within 14ish hours.

OrchidJewel · 30/12/2019 22:56

Thanks chocolate fudge. They obviously do need discs in UK Grin

Glad you are getting it sorted op

eveshopper · 30/12/2019 23:40

There is no such thing as an insurance disc.

Even tax discs have been obsolete for 5 years.

GreenTulips · 31/12/2019 00:51

eveshopper

The PP lives in a county where they have insurance discs. She rectified her error. Read the thread.

eveshopper · 31/12/2019 01:15

The PP lives in a county where they have insurance discs. She rectified her error. Read the thread.

I did read the thread. The post above mine refers to obviously needing discs in the UK.

Ferret27 · 31/12/2019 05:48

HOpe it’s finger printed .... if not a first offence they may be on file and get caught later.... change your username op as anyone near where you live may put you ....

Catsinthecupboard · 31/12/2019 05:56

@theflushedzebra politics is not in every thing this world holds.

I had a dear neighbor, who, when we first met, agreed that we would not discuss politics. She became my dearest friend, one whose kindness and wisdom have stayed with me and guided me for many years since her passing.

If I had one wish fulfilled about our world, it would not be climate, but to go back to accepting that politics is a game in which we are pawns and our country's citizens are potential friends no matter who they vote for to win.

In the end, we found that we met in the middle on every important political topic; once we set aside assumptions fed to us via parties and media.
(I take gentle amusement in knowing some of my most staunchly political friends would be horrified if they knew my voting record...both sides.)

Fieldofgreycorn · 31/12/2019 07:03

@Shoeshow YANBU sorry this happened it sounds shit. I can imagine how scary it’s been wondering if these idiots are coming back on to your property at night. Glad it’s being sorted.

This is a matter for the insurers to sort out, not the police.

Someone drives so dangerously that they smash into 2 cars and someone’s house?! If they were drunk/ intoxicated or using their phone then they should be prosecuted and taken off the road.

Fieldofgreycorn · 31/12/2019 07:07

I know it’s not easy to prove now but such vile behaviour. They could have owned up if they were decent people and they could do worse next time. This has really annoyed me.

Mutinerie · 31/12/2019 10:01

And yet the police have time to go to people's homes and conduct lengthy interviews if they have been reported to have misgendered someone on twitter...

eveshopper · 31/12/2019 10:42
Hmm

How long did you wait to drop the gender thing in?

There are a lot of branches to this thread, as naturally happens, but gender identity isn't one of them Confused

Rainbow · 31/12/2019 16:47

I also live in East London. My son was robbed at knifepoint. They had college passes on so my son gave the names. The police took so long to go and get the CCTV that it had been wiped and no further action was taken 😪