Would you call the police if you saw a ‘domestic’?

[Merryoldgoat]

I live near a pub and the occasional disturbance happens but usually nothing more than some shouting and a bit of swearing.

Last night I hear a woman shout ‘let go of me’ and she sounded distressed. I looked out of my window and saw a couple arguing across the road. It looked unpleasant and he grabbed her, she tried to get away and he pushed her up against the wall to trap her.

At this point I called the police.

The argument then deescalated and although heated there was no more violence - I watched with a camera ready until the police arrived.

This was just after midnight.

I don’t think I over reacted but would you have called? When I placed the call the man was getting progressively more violent and I was getting ready to run out there as I was worried for her safety although it calmed down quite quickly.

If you were in that position would you have wanted the police to be called?

Yep. I hate the police and would only call them if absolutely necessary, but I called them to a "domestic" I overheard in my block of flats.

Yes, although from previous experience (not a domestic) it would be from a safe distance. I once phone for an ambulance for a lady who'd fallen in the street and smashed her head open. She was sleepy and feeling sick as well. Her son came over to me and threatened to beat me up because he didn't want the paramedics attending to her!

I have witnessed something very similar, dialled 999 immediately and was asked to keep on the line until Police got there. Which they did within a very short period of time. (probably under a minute)

Absolutely - good on you, you did the right thing. I’ve done the same in your position - got home from work one evening and heard muffled shouts. Saw a man going absolutely bananas in the front room of a house across the street - his partner and child looked absolutely terrified. Police were there in minutes and escorted him away.

Yes, always

You did the right thing. Theres a phenomenon called "bystander effect" where crimes progress and people are murdered because bystanders dont step up because they assume someone else will. Thats why I will always intervene if I feel comfortable I can help or I've called the police a couple times (witnessing fights or hearing screaming and smashing from neighbours)

Yes

Many many years ago now, pretty late at night, my parents heard a girl crying and a man shouting so they called out is she OK . She said she was but he got a bit handy with her, so to speak . Dad shouted out at him and Mum rang the police . He ran off and DM went to sit with the girl (it was near some steps) until police arrived.
You done the right thing OP

Thank you everyone - I just hope she’s ok now.

I am a domestic violence victim and after one incident I rang the police. The police investigated knocking on doors taking statements from my neighbours, who heard the incident but didn't report it. That really upset me. I have helped strangers and neighbours in the past and would not hesitate to call the police if someone needed help. It's sad that we live such private lives, worry about the implications things may have on ourselves before helping others.

Of course. I have reported a "domestic" when I was just walking past the house on my lunch hour.

I reported what looked like a neighbour dispute only last week. Police attended and were on the scene for about an hour.

I think many people don't call because they might be worried that it will just make it worse for the abused.

@Merryoldgoat

I live near a pub and the occasional disturbance happens but usually nothing more than some shouting and a bit of swearing.

Last night I hear a woman shout ‘let go of me’ and she sounded distressed. I looked out of my window and saw a couple arguing across the road. It looked unpleasant and he grabbed her, she tried to get away and he pushed her up against the wall to trap her.

At this point I called the police.

The argument then deescalated and although heated there was no more violence - I watched with a camera ready until the police arrived.

This was just after midnight.

I don’t think I over reacted but would you have called? When I placed the call the man was getting progressively more violent and I was getting ready to run out there as I was worried for her safety although it calmed down quite quickly.

If you were in that position would you have wanted the police to be called?

Yes. I actually have done once. A man was hitting a woman outside my flat and I rang the police and gave a description of both of them. I sat on the floor cos I was worried they'd see me on my phone through the window.

Yes. A guy slapped his gf across the face then shoved her into the wall at the end of our driveway. I hung out the window &said the Police were on their way & he just carried on . She looked literally paralysed with fear.. She was too scared to take up my offer of coming inside (which was probably not the best idea but it was knee jerk concern). He was gobsmacked when the Police rolled up. Good.