To be concerned about neighbours

[perfectfacepaint]

I don't know them very well, just to say hello to. They have always seemed quite quiet but we often see the young primary aged children going to school and playing out in the garden. For about 3 weeks I've not seen them at all, not even the children going to school, the blinds have all been closed and the cars haven't moved. The bins haven't been out.

I had a quick search on Facebook as I know their name and the mum had shared some quotes last month which would suggest she is depressed.

Im quite concerned but don't know what to do. They are quite a private family.

Call 101 and ask them to do a welfare check.

Have you knocked on their door? Do you have any mutual friends you could check with?

You could phone 101 for advice they could do a welfare check. Better to be over cautious

Could they be isolating? I agree though ask for a welfare check.

Just knock on the door!

Realistically all you can do is either chap the door yourself or ask police to do a welfare check. How old are the children? Is there a partner?

Knock on the door with a made up reason why you've come round if they answer " I heard a noise last night around 1am did you?"

Maybe they have covid and are isolating - possibly one getting it after the other hence the length of time? Though that wouldn't explain the blinds being down. Is there any sign of food deliveries being made? If not then maybe a call to 101 would be best, if only to put your mind at ease.

Knock on the door. If you don't get an answer do as people have suggested here and ask for welfare check.

Do any of the other neighbours know them? Knock on the door and check there ok I'd probably take a couple of Easter eggs for the kids pretending you were just dropping them off. Or as another poster said 101 welfare check

I don't want to knock on their door, they are very very private. When I've knocked on for a parcel before they are not very friendly and don't make conversation.
Children are around 5 and 9. There is a partner who we usually see going to work but haven't seen him. They could well be isolating but it was strange today when the weather was nice and children weren't in the garden

If the children had just not turned up to school for weeks then the school would have been obliged to report for a welfare check themselves.

First thought, self isolating.

I could knock and just ask if a parcel has been left for me

I would check or ask police to do a welfare check if you really don’t want to/they don’t answer.

Better to be safe than sorry. Either knock on or welfare check from police. Even if you were isolating you'd surely open the blinds.

@GreenTeaPingPong

If the children had just not turned up to school for weeks then the school would have been obliged to report for a welfare check themselves.

Yes, that's a thought, school would have been in touch wouldn't they

You could knock on the door and say you just wanted to check they’re ok as hasn’t seen them? Say you’re checking if they needed anything, like shopping, in case they’re isolating.

I'd ring 101 for a welfare check

Do you know which school the children go to? I would contact school, although it’s now Easter holidays maybe that isn’t the best option.

I would call non emergency police line

Just knock and pretend you’ve been told a parcel has been left with them

Have there been any lights on in the evening?

Yes knock yourself and ask about a parcel, if they don't answer/you're not convinced that they're OK then call 101, but also agree that school would likely be on the case if they'd just not turned up.

DH has said he will knock on tomorrow
Morning as he says it's too late now.

Good lord just call 101 I think your concerns are valid, I wouldn’t be hesitating