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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What would you do if you saw a sign in a window saying "help me"

261 replies

Lois345 · 21/10/2020 11:48

I saw a sign in a window today saying "help me." It was one of those neat black framed boards that you can write on by moving little white plastic letters around. It was facing the street. Would you call the police? Do you think they would respond to this? I live in Edinburgh, if that makes any difference (maybe someone here with local knowledge of the police)

OP posts:
fortheloveofgumball · 22/10/2020 19:17

👏👏

StoneofDestiny · 22/10/2020 19:25

PleasantVille

Thank you - never knew that was even there.

OrangeBananaFish · 22/10/2020 19:44

I'm on the laptop the 'see all' is on the top for me (assume desktop is different than app or mobile site)

FWIW I would have phoned the police, but felt daft for it. However, after this thread if I ever find myself in a similar situation I know that feeling daft is silly.

thenovice · 22/10/2020 20:18

CALL THE POLICE NOW!!!!!

Wilkie1956mog · 22/10/2020 20:19

I think I'd probably go towards it being a (rather silly) joke, but I would still find it perturbing. I'd note the address and take a photo and call the police, just say that you're unsure if it's a joke or not but you were concerned. And let them deal with it. Otherwise it might be on your conscience

DeliciouslyFemale · 22/10/2020 21:08

@thenovice

CALL THE POLICE NOW!!!!!
SHE ALREADY HAS!
TheHouseonHauntedHill · 22/10/2020 21:41

I'd let non emergency no, know and then let them decide

EdnaSilem · 22/10/2020 22:06

PleasantVille

Maybe lack of comprehension too? Grin

EdnaSilem · 22/10/2020 22:14

... mind you, that 'see all' button at the end of any OP's post hasn't been
available until recently... it should in time eliminate people having to type in RTFT. We can only hope.

MitziK · 22/10/2020 22:16

@EdnaSilem

... mind you, that 'see all' button at the end of any OP's post hasn't been available until recently... it should in time eliminate people having to type in RTFT. We can only hope.
And it isn't available in the app at all.
EatPrayYoga · 22/10/2020 22:24

Well done OP

Hmm1234 · 22/10/2020 22:42

Call the police but some people have started with the Halloween decorations already so it could be that

mussymummy · 22/10/2020 22:48

I'm sorry but what the fuck difference does it mean I'f your in Edinburgh? Does please help me mean something different in Edinburgh to the rest of the UK / world? Call the bloody police and dont waste time posting on bloody mumsnet

DeliciouslyFemale · 22/10/2020 22:53

@mussymummy

I'm sorry but what the fuck difference does it mean I'f your in Edinburgh? Does please help me mean something different in Edinburgh to the rest of the UK / world? Call the bloody police and dont waste time posting on bloody mumsnet
SHE HAS!
Antirrhinum · 22/10/2020 22:53

EdnaSilem
... mind you, that 'see all' button at the end of any OP's post hasn't been
available until recently... it should in time eliminate people having to type in RTFT. We can only hope.
And it isn't available in the app at all.

Yes it is. You need to swipe on the filter at the top right of the page.

What would you do if you saw a sign in a window saying "help me"
What would you do if you saw a sign in a window saying "help me"
Antirrhinum · 22/10/2020 22:54

Sorry, tap, not swipe. You can only search for the OP's posts though, unless you pay for premium.

DeliciouslyFemale · 22/10/2020 22:54

THE OP HAS ALREADY CALLED THE POLICE!
THE OP HAS ALREADY CALLED THE POLICE!
THE OP HAS ALREADY CALLED THE POLICE!
THE OP HAS ALREADY CALLED THE POLICE!
THE OP HAS ALREADY CALLED THE POLICE!
THE OP HAS ALREADY CALLED THE POLICE!
THE OP HAS ALREADY CALLED THE POLICE!
THE OP HAS ALREADY CALLED THE POLICE!

CayrolBaaaskin · 22/10/2020 22:57

I had one in the house across the road from me. It was a family home and a kids prank.

mussymummy · 22/10/2020 23:09

Ok so she has called the police sorry, but seriously why the hell waste time posting on social media ? And what the hell difference does it make where OP lives or does please help me mean different things in scotland, Wales, England and Ireland?

DeliciouslyFemale · 22/10/2020 23:10

@mussymummy

Ok so she has called the police sorry, but seriously why the hell waste time posting on social media ? And what the hell difference does it make where OP lives or does please help me mean different things in scotland, Wales, England and Ireland?
You left out Northern Ireland. I’m deeply offended.
Heartofglass12345 · 22/10/2020 23:13

At least she did call the police!
Is the sign still there? I wonder if the police have been yet

CantBeAssed · 22/10/2020 23:56

10DeliciouslyFemale

mussymummy

Ok so she has called the police sorry, but seriously why the hell waste time posting on social media ? And what the hell difference does it make where OP lives or does please help me mean different things in scotland, Wales, England and Ireland?

You left out Northern Ireland. I’m deeply offended.

Me tooWink

tommyhoundmum · 23/10/2020 07:16

Does anyone know the outcome of this please apart from the fact she did call the police?

Acerred · 23/10/2020 07:24

@steppemum

I sort of get where Justasking is coming from.

When you live in a good community, you do knock and help eahc other etc.

I think it is only after being on mn for so long that my view of DV has shifted and I have become more aware.

Nowadays I would assume that the person needing help couldn't come to the door, and I'll call the police

April Jones lived in rural Wales and look how safe she was Sad
SallyB392 · 23/10/2020 08:04

I would dial 999 immediTely