Just watched a car crime happen

[Hoorayforsunshine]

And so spooked. Took less than 2 mins to Jack up a car, take an angle grinder to it to steal the catalytic converter, and run off in a car. I froze and couldn’t film anything properly and was seeing it profile on so couldn’t see plates.

Now every car sound that drives by I imagine is my car having the same happen to it - can’t sleep.

It’s just money but this theft is now rife and I dread the hassle and cost of fixing it and dealing with increased insurance premiums etc if it happens- if you can get insurance after all.

They saw me watching them and they didn’t care. I called the police as did neighbours.

It was a couple of hours ago and I can’t sleep.

Also now worried about a burglary etc. Are there security consultants that will come round and tell you how to secure your house?!

Well, it would add a bit of excitement to my evening, and it would be annoying if it happened to me, but I don’t think I’d be losing sleep over it.

Yes to your second post.

@HeddaGarbled it could cost you thousands and/ or lead to car being written off. Not life or limb but surely a bit more than excitement?

Having a criminal look you in the face while his mate takes an angle grinder to a car was not exciting it was scary. Especially as I had my kid next to me at the window and I just froze instead of shielding her from it.

@HeddaGarbled

Well, it would add a bit of excitement to my evening, and it would be annoying if it happened to me, but I don’t think I’d be losing sleep over it.

Yes, same. As long as no one was hurt.

Worried they will be back/ target my house and I will be hurt or my family because he saw me watching them and motioned at me.

@Hoorayforsunshine I’m so sorry you had to watch that. It’s a horrible feeling seeing something like that. I saw a news report on catalytic converters theft the other day, it was horrifying how brazen thieves are. It included video footage of people who shouted at them to stop getting their window hit with crowbars - so I’m very glad you didn’t intervene.

Another mum pushing a pram was mugged in broad daylight on my street recently. It’s hard enough to get out with kids without feeling unsafe in broad daylight near home.

I like in a naice part of town that you wouldn’t expect to be so affected by crime.

Thank you @lurker101 - I absolutely would not have intervened as a few weeks / couple of months ago I heard similar alarms going off and it was happening a few doors down - the owner of the car went out and shouted at the guys and they threatened him back and, again - cordless weapons that cut through metal so not the kind of people you want to mess with. 3 of them and 1 post natal waddling me, no chance I would have done anything except get straight on the phone to the police which I did.

I get you OP, my car was stolen a short while ago (also from a 'naice' area). It was just money and it was all sortable via insurance but seeing the neighbours' CCTV footage of them taking it away really got to me and I didn't sleep well for weeks, it really bothered me.

And I grew up in an absolutely rough as fuck area so I'm no milquetoast gasping as 'crime in the SUBURBS of all places!' haha.

It's not nice, you read plenty about crime and theft all the time but to witness if happening that close to home is going to leave you a bit spooked.

I'm not surprised you're unsettled, OP. But take comfort in having done the right thing.

About 15 years ago, I witnessed 2 men trying to break into a neighbour's garage, presumably to steal the beautiful classic motorbike he was restoring. It was about 02:00 and something woke me up. When I looked out of my open bedroom window, I could see them. I knew they'd be long gone if I dialled 999 so I called out, loud enough for them to hear, that I was watching them. They looked up and around and decided to scarper, thank goodness. I don't think they saw me but I was shaking like a leaf. I'm normally a wimp and I don't know how I plucked up the courage, but I'm glad I did. I was scared for a good while afterwards; I'm mobility impaired and lived on my own at the time, but I couldn't let the fear get the better of me.

It's already easy enough for most criminals. We can't make it even easier by turning a blind eye.

@therocinante also grew up in very rough places (vans of police turning up one day to raid one of the tower blocks, normal) but thanks to loving and careful parents was blissfully unawares of most stuff.

I think it’s all context. In the last week I have heard from the police about a burglary that happened ages ago but which actually they think they have nabbed the gang responsible for (20 other houses too). And then we had a weird guy turn up at our house, almost certainly a scam.

Then talking to friends in the last couple of days about rape culture and realising we’ve all been raped or harassed or assaulted or attempted at various points.

I think the combination of those things in the last week - plus, you know just regular Covid anxiety, has meant I’m reacting to this more tonight than if it had been the week before or a few months ago.

It’s just money and I know that crime happens everywhere but having grown up without money and it being very scarce I think I also over stress about unknown future costs. And we just moved so savings are basically empty and to replace my car or pay out double insurance premiums for a few years...

Sigh. This is just anxiety. If I wasn’t bf I’d have a drink or something! As it is I’m going to put some light rubbish on the tv and try to fall asleep that way.

@CrazySheepLady well done you.