Man sitting outside of my house

[Whatnametochoose85]

Hello,
(Not so much as an AIBU but more of a what would you do type of situation)

So this morning at roughly 07:30am a car pulled up outside my house which is nothing unusual in itself as I live on quite a busy street where there is lots of on-street parking, not many houses have driveways so residents just park wherever they can. At that time of the morning there were quite a few empty spaces along the street, one being in front of our home. A man was sitting inside the car and looked like he was texting on his phone.
I didn't think anything of it, went to work at 8:30, returned for lunch to let the dog out and the car is still there with the man sitting with his phone in his hand as before. Went back to work and just returned to see he's still there!!

I've never seen him or the car before, he's not a resident on the street (as far as I know). I've lived here for 14 years and recognise the neighbours and their cars. I initially just brushed it off as he may be waiting for someone, or may be a relative of a neighbour or something like that but as time has gone on I am feeling a bit uneasy about it!
He's not harming anyone, seems to be minding his own business but I can't help feel it's a bit odd.
He's obviously seen me leave and return so has known when the house was empty. I think this is what has made me feel a bit creeped out. I'm probably overreacting, but what do you think ?

I was going to suggest undercover police

A few days after 2 burglaries at flats in the same building as my flat, I saw 2 men parked in the cul-de-sac alongside the building one evening. They were still there when I came back from my dog walk 40 minutes later, and it was a really quiet road, that didn't lead anywhere, with only about 6-8 houses along it. And it was about 9pm on a winter night, so dark.

I rang the police and reported it. They phoned me back 15 minutes later. It was 2 plainclothes police officers doing surveillance, because of the burglaries.

I had this once. Went on for 2 days. I reported it to 101, who when I was on the phone to them asked me to relay the vehicle reg. I did so whilst looking at the vehicle and was told that that registration no doesn’t exist my DP was away for 2 days too so I was in the house on my own and so freaked out.

Anyway, nothing happened and he disappeared after 2 days of sitting outside my house from 8am-6.30pm!! I think he might’ve been undercover and that’s why 101 told me the no plate no didn’t exist. It was 100% the right no. I then said ‘Well then it’s false plates which is even more dodgy.’ And they just said no, they’re not false plates’

@Justaboy so both the workmen and the police were able to pass for 18-23yo? Impressive.

OP
Does the van reg tally with the make and colour of the vehicle.
You can check this on line.

I’d be tempted to log it with 101 as suspicious activity just in case.

Pop out and ask him if he’d like a cup of tea as he’s been sitting there all day. You’ll probably discover his reason is perfectly ligitimate.

@Permanantlypuzzled

Have any of your neighbours returned from a holiday in Benidorm today.

I had this once. After hours of sitting in the car they posted a letter through my door. (After all that time didn't even knock.) It was HMRC wanting to speak to my husband. That is how we found out his accountant had run off with his tax money.

Maybe police or an insurance assessor or similar.

Probably trying to get some space from his family after so much time stuck together! Never thought to do that. It will be me outside your house tomorrow!

he was chatting in quite an animated fashion on his phone I'll bet his partner chucked him out - not in any mood to eat etc. and has stayed sat in the same spot all day - he's probably been ringing around begging for someone's sofa to sleep on tonight.

I used to sit in the car for an hour or more sometimes when I was getting divorced and we all still lived together and I had time before i did school pick up and I knew he was at home.

Private investigator/benefit fraud investigator perhaps?

Justaboy do you really think that was funny? It sounds dangerously irresponsible to me! Not to mention that wasting police time is a criminal offence in itself...

Well thats students for you, they lean there then run the country but blame the usual crop on Oxford.

It was some time ago now when they use to have a lot of fun learning!

You wouldnt belive what they used to do on Guy fawkes night !

@Witchend

He's unlikely to be casing the joint while wearing High-vis. They normally go for low-vis for obvious reasons.

A man (coincidentally matching OP’s description) was recently arrested in my area for several burglaries. In every one (CCTV footage), he was wearing a hi-vis vest.

Well know scam for distraction burglaries. Man in work clothes (sometimes two men) knocks at door of house they identified as being inhabited by single/elderly/vulnerable person.

"Hello luv, were just doing a test of your water pressure (or similar) can we come in and test your pipes."

"Were working at your neighbour/next street on XXX"

Vulnerable person trustingly lets him/them in. One keeps you chatting while the other steals money/cards/small items. Or they ask you to "run the water" upstairs while they ransack downstairs.

If you are really unlucky they may overpower and threaten you for money.

Always be suspicious of callers without appointments and insist they send you a letter on headed paper.

I would knock on the window and say something like "Excuse me, I know your not from around here. I was wondering if there was something I could help you with. Your making one of my neighbours anxious and she has already taken your number and suggested calling the police." If they are up to no good that will rattle their cage.

Not read the whole post but maybe he is from disability benefits watching a neighbour committing fraud..?

There's some funky stuff going on with intelligence at the moment. The old tricks aren't working quite like they used to (sex, lies and blackmail) and everyone is a suspect.

Undercover Police are meant to look like the most unlikely police officers, ie high viz, grubby etc. You never know!

biglouis I’d be tempted to say something very similar but thinking it through whatever he then says may be a load of rubbish. If he says he’s an investigator or undercover etc how on earth would op know if that was true. I’d be more inclined to believe a van with several in it and changing shifts etc but a single man may say anything to justify why they are there. No way of checking.

I would just have to take him a cup of tea and a digestive, just to rattle his cage, whoever he is.

I don’t think the MoD have undercover surveillance operatives. MI5 does though.

Just to update ,he isn't here today. Will be keeping my eyes open though! Thanks all