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

[Lois345]

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)

[MiddleClassMother]

I'd phone the police but only on the nine emergency line. When I go to the city centre there's frequently messages in the windows (normally relating to covid from students) so would assume it's a joke, but get it checked out to be sure.

[minipie]

Surely if this was a person living with an abuser, the abuser would have seen the sign themselves?? It’s in the window?

[StealthPolarBear]

Only when they go out. Presumably it can be turned round on those occasions

[DeliciouslyFemale]

Exactly I know all my neighbours.

justasking111

[Donkeeey]

@minipie

Surely if this was a person living with an abuser, the abuser would have seen the sign themselves?? It’s in the window?

Not if it was facing outwards and if it was an item that was regularly on the window sill, or was partly hidden by a curtain. Or maybe the abuser is upstairs asleep and the person saw a window of opportunity. Or maybe they just aren't that observant...

[minipie]

Fair!

[Sarahplane]

I'd report it. Let the police decide. Hopefully its someone messing about/halloween decor but better safe than sorry.

[Bluetonic41]

@justasking111 I'm kind of hoping you are a troll as your posts are naive at best and terrifying at worst. You have ABSOLUTELY no idea what goes on behind closed doors - as many people have given terrible examples of during this thread.
Knocking on the door is possibly the worst thing you could do in this situation. Oh and I grew up in rural Wales, everyone knows everyone in my village, I'm not arrogant enough to think all is well behind every door though.

[ktp100]

Yes, I would call the Police. It may well turn out to be a joke but even if that is the case they need telling to remove it or the Police will continue getting calls.

[isthismylifenow]

So what did you do OP?

[TheyreComingToGetYouBarbara]

Unless it was very obviously a joke or a strange Halloween decoration, I'd call the police.

If it's a joke, they need to be told to take it down, because it's not clever or amusing. If it turns out to be nothing, you won't be blamed (again, unless it's so obviously a joke/decoration that a little common sense should tell you to ignore it).

[HelpOrHindrance]

@Lois345

Any news?

[IAmcuriousyellow]

Was it in the Old Well area?

[notanotheronepleasee]

This post has made me really stressed that someone could be trapped in there

[Lois345]

Thanks so much everyone. I called the police and they took it serious and said they would investigate. I doubt that I will hear any more, but if I do I will keep you updated

[Lois345]

I should add that I really appreciate you advice. It was the overwhelming 'call the police' response that made me pick up the phone.

The sign was in a tenement flat on the 2nd or 3rd floor so I couldn't have knocked on the door even if I wanted to (not my building). Also, I totally agree with everyone saying that it is a horrible idea to knock on the door of a stranger in a capital city offering help. The police can have a look around the flat. What could I have done?

[anothersleeplessone]

@Lois345 well done! You never know you might really have helped someone desperate.

[Bid876]

@Lois345

I should add that I really appreciate you advice. It was the overwhelming 'call the police' response that made me pick up the phone.

The sign was in a tenement flat on the 2nd or 3rd floor so I couldn't have knocked on the door even if I wanted to (not my building). Also, I totally agree with everyone saying that it is a horrible idea to knock on the door of a stranger in a capital city offering help. The police can have a look around the flat. What could I have done?

You definitely did the right thing OP x

[Dottyspottybattyfatty]

well done OP, if in doubt ring the cops and let then check. If it was a kid then lesson learned for the kid but it is always, always best to check.
I was saw a bloke grabbing a woman on the street late a night and picking her up- looked like they were together - but I shouted and asked her if she was alright. He said we're fine but I ignored him and asked her again. She was.
Turns out it was just a young couple, tipsy, mucking about. But as they went off she turned back and said' Thank you though, thank you for checking.'

[GreyishDays]

Also wanted to add that you did the right thing.

The police may phone you back to update, they did me when I called about young teens setting off fireworks in the woods. (Also Edinburgh.)

[rainkeepsfallingdown]

You did the right thing, OP.

The police are trained to handle these uncertain and potentially dangerous situations - you're not. Good on you for contacting them.

[VentventVENT]

Well done OP, that would have unsettled me too.

[SeekingAnswers3]

You did the right thing. I would have called the police just in case

[jessstan1]

Well done.

[Slightlybrwnbanana]

Lots of self isolating students in Edinburgh, more likely (just now) to be someone without food than anything else but absolutely agree with calling the police.