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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Reporting a shop and its customers...

180 replies

ripples101 · 02/08/2020 18:46

It is about Covid-19, so I was unsure whether to post here or on the Health/Coronavirus board. But I do want to know if I'm being unreasonable or not.

For the record, I live in Greater Manchester, which is now on local lockdown. This is especially relevant to this thread, especially so as the village I live in has been identified as the place/source which has caused a rise in Covid cases throughout the entire borough.

So today I was going to my local supermarket, walking through the village, and a new shop was having it's "grand opening". The shop itself is tiny - typical of a small village/town high street. Not a chain. Just an independent shop. Outside the shop were two tables with complimentary drinks and nibbles.

As i walked past, there were only a couple of people outside the shop, but I looked inside the shop and it was packed (for a shop of its size) - around 10-15 people inside. Not one person inside the shop was wearing a face mask.

On my way back from the supermarket (about 20 minutes later), outside the shop was now packed. Blocking the entire footpath, so I walked into the road to get past. Looked in the shop and it was also full of people. Not one person, outside or inside the shop were wearing face masks.

When I got home I decided to phone 101, to report this. That is my first AIBU. Was I unreasonable to do this?

The person I spoke to from 101 told me that the Police will do nothing. He said that I (me) should go to into the shop itself and confront the management and the shops customers. He said if I'm not happy with the response I get from the management and customers, I can then contact my local council to see if they will deal with it.

He did put me through to another Police officer, and they also confirmed that the Police wouldn't do anything, and that it was my responsibility to talk to the management/customers.

This is my second AIBU. AIBU to think this is unacceptable for the Police to ask me to do this - to confront the shop and its customers myself?

Like I said at the start of this post, this happened in a town that has been identified as being the source of a Covid spread throughout an entire borough, which is one of the causes that has resulted in Greater Manchester (and other areas in the North) now being on lockdown.

OP posts:
BadTattoosAndSmellLikeBooze · 02/08/2020 19:32

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable but as annoying as it is, I’d just ignore it. People are stupid and selfish and that won’t change.
It’s appalling that the police told you to confront shop management and customers yourself. Madness.

Original poster
ripples101 · 02/08/2020 19:32

Yeah you’re being semantic again bakedcam

No one was wearing face coverings either

From the link you provided:

No one should:

socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops,

There was no social distancing. The shop is the size of a terraced house living room.

They were (inside and outside the shop) drinking, eating, socialising.

In an area that was reported as being the source that has caused a spread across an entire borough.

OP posts:
VinylDetective · 02/08/2020 19:34

@BakedCam

God knows how many reports the police must receive about shops being 'packed' with people.
This. Around here they haven’t got the resources to deal with shoplifting, let alone people not wearing masks.
neveradullmoment99 · 02/08/2020 19:34

Report. Simple. To the council or the police.

lifeafter50 · 02/08/2020 19:37

YANZu on both counts.
Unwind your neck and mind your own business.

lifeafter50 · 02/08/2020 19:37

Sorry should have been YABU on both counts.

Original poster
ripples101 · 02/08/2020 19:39

Given some of the response to this thread, which I take on board (even if I don't agree), can those of you who don't agree at least understand why I felt concerned when the Police said to me that I should confront the shop owners and customers?

OP posts:
SuckingDownDarjeeling · 02/08/2020 19:40

I've had a good look through the OP and responses and I am curious... what kind of a shop was this? What do they sell?

Only because it seems so ridiculous that absolutely nobody would be wearing a mask in there, I'm wondering if it was a vape shop or something.

Basically, could the shop owner argue that wearing a face mask in their shop is impractical?

Original poster
ripples101 · 02/08/2020 19:41

It was a dog-grooming shop.

OP posts:
labyrinthloafer · 02/08/2020 19:41

YANBU to be concerned, but YABU to expect the Police to do anything.

Our police forces have had numbers dramatically reduced since 2010 which means the UK just doesn't have the police numbers needed to properly deal with crime, let alone all the covid issues too.

This is why our 'quarantine' is just a meaningless word, unlike in other countries.

AnneOfQueenSables · 02/08/2020 19:42

I'm shocked that they'd suggest members of the public should confront shop owners and shoppers for breaking the law. It's not for the public to put themselves at risk to try to enforce mandatory mask/face-covering wearing.

BakedCam · 02/08/2020 19:44

@ripples101

Yeah you’re being semantic again bakedcam

No one was wearing face coverings either

From the link you provided:

No one should:

socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops,

There was no social distancing. The shop is the size of a terraced house living room.

They were (inside and outside the shop) drinking, eating, socialising.

In an area that was reported as being the source that has caused a spread across an entire borough.

No, I'm clarifying what the legislation is. Face coverings.

If the shop is the size of a small terraced house, you must have been studying in quite some detail of the people inside to ascertain that there were 10/15 people in there not wearing face coverings.

As it is a shop, why don't you name it. My local shop is a double fronted in a terraced block. The owner as is her right, manages how many people are in her shop at a time. She is not mandated to force people to wear face coverings - her shop can safely manage around 20 people at a time.

Tesco and Asda aren't enforcing the face coverings mandatory rules. Are you reporting all the people that enter those shops too?

This is what we as a nation have been reduced to. Reporting and snitching on what we perceive to be occurring.

neveradullmoment99 · 02/08/2020 19:44

@labyrinthloafer

YANBU to be concerned, but YABU to expect the Police to do anything.

Our police forces have had numbers dramatically reduced since 2010 which means the UK just doesn't have the police numbers needed to properly deal with crime, let alone all the covid issues too.

This is why our 'quarantine' is just a meaningless word, unlike in other countries.

Rubbish! Its a law. It is exactly their job. Contact the police.
PatriciaPerch · 02/08/2020 19:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BakedCam · 02/08/2020 19:45

@ripples101

It was a dog-grooming shop.
With food and tables outside? Grin
jessstan2 · 02/08/2020 19:45

@ripples101

Given some of the response to this thread, which I take on board (even if I don't agree), can those of you who don't agree at least understand why I felt concerned when the Police said to me that I should confront the shop owners and customers?
It is better than going behind their backs and reporting them. Nothing will be done anyway, the police have more important issues.
ceeveebee · 02/08/2020 19:47

The enforcing agency for shops (or any business) not following COVID-secure guidelines is the HSE, not the police

BakedCam · 02/08/2020 19:49

What about the dogs, OP?

Were they wearing masks?

PatriciaPerch · 02/08/2020 19:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Alez · 02/08/2020 19:51

BakedCam is obviously having a bad day.

YANBU but it doesn't surprise me the police didn't do anything. Pretty shocking they told you to confront the manager and people in the shop though.

Staplemaple · 02/08/2020 19:52

He said that I (me) should go to into the shop itself and confront the management and the shops customers.

This is irresponsible of the police, it's not neccessarily unreasonable for them to not be able to/want to attend, but advising people to confront others is stupid and reckless. If you did follow their advice and God forbid something happened to you, they'd be responsible. I don't think you're unreasonable to feel uneasy about it to be honest, but some people are just ignorant and/or selfish.

rosinavera · 02/08/2020 19:53

Blimey OP you're getting some snotty replies here! As for the posters on here telling you to mind your own business - it is everyone's business - we're in the middle of a pandemic for goodness sake and it is the LAW to wear face coverings in shops.

uniglowooljumper · 02/08/2020 19:54

People were utterly deluded to believe there were ever the resources and manpower for the police to ever deal with this type of thing. Don't bother turning people in, informing and grassing on others because there isn't the enforcement ability to make your Big Brother dreams come true. Practice good sense for yourself and your minor children and get one with your life.

uniglowooljumper · 02/08/2020 19:55

@rosinavera

Blimey OP you're getting some snotty replies here! As for the posters on here telling you to mind your own business - it is everyone's business - we're in the middle of a pandemic for goodness sake and it is the LAW to wear face coverings in shops.
Some people want to watch the world burn and will never be happy unless they believe the sky is falling down and they are the self-appointed Guardians of the Galaxy.
BakedCam · 02/08/2020 19:58

Baked Cam isn't having a bad day. Just amused at the lack of critical thinking on MN - as usual.