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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:
needanewnamechange · 29/12/2019 19:48

But even if they don't come back for the car and the police track them down they could say they weren't driving .
In my experience the police will not spend a lot of time on it .

CruCru · 29/12/2019 19:48

We had something similar. Get written statements from anyone who saw it happen (including the license plate and their names and telephone numbers) - we had notes on the backs of envelopes from people who happened to be smoking outside the pub. Go to the police station yourself and give a statement - hand over the photos of the car in your front garden, photos of your cars and the statements from the other people whop saw it.

If they are like our police, they will put all this stuff in a big see-through envelope and then give you a crime number. You can then pass this on to your insurance company.

Original poster
Shoeshow · 29/12/2019 19:49

@Christmadtree funnily enough a neighbour said the same about there being something in the car (especially because they locked it) but they had started the car and their wheels were spinning - the noise is what made us go back out.

OP posts:
CruCru · 29/12/2019 19:54

Realistically, towing the car away won't be a priority for the police, although it isn't very nice for you.

Expect the car to still be there until after New Year's Eve. Please don't let the air out of the tyres or anything like that.

bmbonanza · 29/12/2019 19:57

Ultimately no one was hurt. Not enough police means they have to prioritise and no injury means you are way down the list. Pretty rubbish for you but nothing else they can do.

pumpkinpie01 · 29/12/2019 19:57

Can you move your cars yourself so they are out of the way incase they do come back in the night ? I know someone who had an accident recently resulting in 2 cars pretty much blocking the entrance to a McDonald's on a busy road , petrol , brake fluid , bumper all at the entrance the police drove around it got their breakfast and left Hmm

OrchidJewel · 29/12/2019 19:58

Is there an insurance disc in the car? Contact them, (even if it's stolen and they obviously have keys) it's their problem now being insured concerned. They will sort pick up, assessor etc so you can claim your damages and let them do the investigating

loutypips · 29/12/2019 20:02

Don't touch the car. If you do then you could be charged with criminal damage.
Unfortunately, you'll just have to wait. There's so much the police need to deal with that takes priority over a car accident in which no one was hurt. Yes it's annoying and inconvenient for you, but people are having far worse happen.

pumpkinpie01 · 29/12/2019 20:04

@OrchidJewel you can report a claim as a third party but until the insurers have the policyholders version of events they wouldn't do anything with the car unfortunately.

CallmeAngelina · 29/12/2019 20:11

Insurance disc? I've been driving for nearly 40 years and have never heard of one of those.

Lucked · 29/12/2019 20:16

Pretty shitty.

I bet the original driver was drunk and now any evidence to that is lost so he will remain a danger to the public. I believe being under the influence of alcohol is one of the top reasons for fleeing the scene/hit and runs.they can then take themselves to the pub ‘to steady their nerves’ obscuring when they consumed alcohol.

OrchidJewel · 29/12/2019 20:17

Apologies, we do it differently in Ireland obviously

2020newme · 29/12/2019 20:20

Austerity innit..... Keep voting Tory folks.

Ledkr · 29/12/2019 20:23

Tories for you .
Dh is a copper and I asked him about this and he said basically priority cases go to the too of the list and they have to go to those before the others so effectively getting bumped down all the time.
It's happened to me and it's really annoying.

ZandathePanda · 29/12/2019 20:31

www.gov.uk/browse/driving/vehicle-tax-mot-insurance

Have you seen if it’s MOT’d? Doesn’t really get you any further but I would be trying to work out who’s it was.

ToelessPobble · 29/12/2019 20:34

I'm wondering whether the police have listed it as dealt with as an officer went out and that it was not added back to the list when they had to rush off? May be worth phoning to check?

Stinkycatbreath · 29/12/2019 20:45

At the end of the day as annoying as it is it is just property. I woulf be feeling the same but unfortunately they may have something bigger to resolve. You never know the people who crashed their car may be wanted for something and they are dealing with that. Give them a call again and advise that you are concerned somebody could be injured, cant get to work and need your insurance to release a courtesy car

Karenisbaren · 29/12/2019 20:46

Unfortunately police have been cut to the bone, they just dont have the manpower.

Actionhasmagic · 29/12/2019 20:48

Tories cut police officers

2020BetterBeBetter · 29/12/2019 20:50

I think you joys have to accept that any further damage caused if they do come back will be covered by your insurance company.

Yanbu in expecting the police to have been out and dealt with the matter by now but I think we are all grateful for the emergency services treating us as a priority when it really is necessary and unfortunately budget cuts and potentially being a busy time of year means this isn’t high enough in the list.

saraclara · 29/12/2019 21:00

Good thinking @ZandathePanda

Put the registration number into that link, OP. At least you'll know if the car's insured (and taxed/MOTd). If it's not, then contact the police again. That's another serious offence

Original poster
Shoeshow · 29/12/2019 21:07

Tow truck arrived. No police with them. Opened the car door with the key. We asked how he got the key and he said the owner of the car gave it to him.

Turns out the owner of the vehicle has sent the tow truck to recover his vehicle. We asked for the drivers details and he refused to give them.

Tow truck driver has left to go and get the car owners brother apparently.

Called 101 and asked if they could send someone out now as we are worried they are going to come back and cause trouble.

They have refused to send anyone out and have said that we are to let them take their vehicle without the drivers details and sort it out with our car insurance.

OP posts:
MimiCaeger · 29/12/2019 21:09

I think that’s all you can do now isn’t it sadly

Original poster
Shoeshow · 29/12/2019 21:10

Car has MOT, no tax. New owner September 2019.

OP posts:
Twillow · 29/12/2019 21:16

Did you vote Conservative? If so are you now regretting it on actual experience of the cuts in action?