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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Police set up phone lines and online form to tell on neighbours

229 replies

chomalungma · 28/03/2020 12:00

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8162725/Police-urge-Britons-spill-beans-neighbours-suspected-breaching-coronavirus-lockdown.html

hey will be asked if their report concerns rule-breaking by an individual, group, or business, on what street, and at what date and time - by the minute.

It comes as police forces across the country face charges of 'overzealousness' from ex-MPs, lawyers, and human-rights groups this week.

Wow...

OP posts:
saraclara · 28/03/2020 15:09

before this pandemic, people were getting away with things they really shouldn't have because they just didn't have the man power apparently, yet they seem to have a lot of time, resources and man power for this

They don't have the manpower. That's the whole bloody POINT. They can't spend all their time answering the damn phone to the curtain twitchers, so they've diverted them online reporting.

Inappropriatefemale · 28/03/2020 15:11

Sounds like some folks don’t know the difference between socialising and social distancing, and speaking to someone in the supermarket that you know is hardly socialising, I would hate to see what she thinks a party is.Grin

Wewearpinkonwednesdays · 28/03/2020 15:14

I've notice that too. People who would have previously walked passed and said hello are keeping their heads down and hurrying past, as if eye contact might kill them. Very strange.

Gwenhwyfar · 28/03/2020 15:19

"People who would have previously walked passed and said hello are keeping their heads down and hurrying past, as if eye contact might kill them. Very strange."

I sort of get this. They're probably scared that you'll come too close, or like I mentioned above, that someone will think you arranged to meet, which is not allowed.

Wewearpinkonwednesdays · 28/03/2020 15:19

They don't have the manpower. That's the whole bloody POINT. They can't spend all their time answering the damn phone to the curtain twitchers, so they've diverted them online reporting.

Plenty of man power for 2 different officers to stop my friends husband on his way home from work, which isnt even a mile from his house Hmm

HunterHearstHelmsley · 28/03/2020 15:21

That will definitely help neighbourly relations after Hmm I've only been out twice since last Saturday so not doing anything "wrong" but if one of my neighbours did this to me then they could certainly fuck themselves if they needed anything ever again.

chomalungma · 28/03/2020 15:22

I should have used it to report the man who stood next to me in a queue and didn't believe in the 2m rule.

What's the best approach with someone like that?

OP posts:
DeeCeeCherry · 28/03/2020 15:23

Oh God, I can imagine all the odiously smug 'I've reported!' posts already

SwedishEdith · 28/03/2020 15:24

Too many police forces don't seem to understand the law.

Rowena
@rowena_kay

Didn't realise this police force had form. Here is yesterday's effort. Don't leave the house unless you desperately need food.

Absolute nonsense. Aside from the fact other reasons are permitted, there is no requirement to be 'desperate' to eat.
Quote Tweet

GMP Denton/Droylsden
@GMPDenton
· Mar 26
We continue to see people out on the streets. Unless you are a key worker or desperately need food or medicines you should remain at home.

mooboy · 28/03/2020 15:30

People who would have previously walked passed and said hello are keeping their heads down and hurrying past, as if eye contact might kill them. I have made a point of saying hello to everyone I meet on a walk - from a safe distance of course - people smile and say hello too - it's less weird because I have a dog and we were a friendly area - before this nonsense started and I want the community to go back to feeling relaxed and friendly - no need for misery, it won't get us through this any quicker!

chomalungma · 28/03/2020 15:36

That tweet from GMP Denton is still up.

The police social media team need to be very very careful

OP posts:
GreytExpectations · 28/03/2020 15:36

Interesting change of situation there HauntedHats...

mooboy · 28/03/2020 15:39

@SwedishEdith that tweet is truly frightening - Police over-stepping is exactly what you fear in these times - but you don't expect them to be so public and brazen about it.

Wewearpinkonwednesdays · 28/03/2020 15:49

. I have made a point of saying hello to everyone I meet on a walk

I have too. I always did anyway and there were always people that just walked by, but now it seems worse. I think it's really important especially now, because certain people might really benefit from a hello, or little interaction.

Nicknacky · 28/03/2020 15:50

Some police forces are definitely being over zealous and I’m cringing for them, especially when they are talking pish. I can’t say on a public forum what my force is doing but I agree with their approach, and it’s following the law but with public engagement at the fore.

Nicknacky · 28/03/2020 15:51

Although I kinda did just say😂. There was more to the online guidance we have been given than I have said.

Splodgetastic · 28/03/2020 15:53

Yes, the people don’t seem to understand the actual legislation. Lots of misleading threats being made.

Splodgetastic · 28/03/2020 15:53

Sorry, I mean the police not the people!

Nicknacky · 28/03/2020 15:55

We only got emailed the guidance for the legislation yesterday afternoon.

mooboy · 28/03/2020 15:58

because certain people might really benefit from a hello, or little interaction. Yes one of the people I spoke to today was an older lady - we had a brief chat, she was really struggling with social isolation, said people saying hello to her really buoyed up her spirits.
To be honest I just got utterly fed up with all the nastiness that seems to have grown along with the virus, the opportunity some feel they have to slag off people, shame, judge - it's so angry, unhealthy, spreading fear and misery. I can't do much to help, I can't volunteer because I have a skin condition but I can spread a smile across someone's face and that's something - not much but we all need to feel joy, even for a second.

Nicknacky · 28/03/2020 16:00

I’ve been making more of an effort to smile and say hello when I’m out walking or running, and I’m definitely seeing others do the same. I had a nice chat with an elderly man last week when out exercising with my daughter.

mooboy · 28/03/2020 16:00

I think certain Police Chiefs sounded like idiots when they were being interviewed - I was embarrassed for them - they sounded like the did not have a handle on their own emotions.

Nicknacky · 28/03/2020 16:02

mooboy Oh I haven’t seen any interviews of them.

Undecided91 · 28/03/2020 16:04

Good thanks for that. I wouldve needed it yesterday as my next door neighbors decided to have a BBQ party with 10+ people & children and was all sharing "joints" from mouth to mouth. Disguisting and irresponsible to say the least :(((

eurochick · 28/03/2020 16:06

Some police forces/officers seem desperate to have us under martial law and surveillance state conditions. The road blocks and drone footage were just dreadful.

And whoever wrote this tweet hasn't got a clue

You don't need to be desperate for food or medicine to leave the house. You don't need to be a key worker to go to work. That is not what the legislation says. This kind of over-zealousness is so unhelpful.

"GMP Denton/Droylsden
@GMPDenton
· Mar 26
We continue to see people out on the streets. Unless you are a key worker or desperately need food or medicines you should remain at home."