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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you go to the police over this neighbour?

31 replies

Onewayoranother88 · 16/06/2021 14:11

I live in a block of studio flats in a large converted house.
Around a month ago, a guy moved in who looked early to mid 20s.
Haven't really had any conversation with him apart from hello, but he often stands at the front having a beer and a cigarette and seems to be out of work.
Anyway one day we heard the loudest, creepiest manic laughter I had ever heard.
Then over the next few days, he was literally shrieking and screaming,and I mean at top note, various obscenities. It was like he was screaming at somebody one mile away. "DO IT AGAIN DICKHEAD!!!!!" "FUCKING PRICK!!!"

He did this a few times over a couple of weeks, it always sounded like it was aimed at somebody. But it was the loudest screaming we had ever heard.

I have never seen anyone like this before, it's hard to know if he's talking to somebody, or what he's doing, but seems to have clear anger issues.

The scariest thing came this morning, we heard what sounded like building work downstairs. Then we realised it was him banging in his flat, smashing it up and screaming top note by the sounds of it.
We have a WhatsApp group and other tenants were writing asking what was going on, saying they were scared and it sounded like somebody was getting hurt.
My boyfriend and i recorded him on our phones smashing the room up and shrieking and sent it to our landlord, along with a recount of what had happened since he moved in.
The landlord arrived and apparently had a word with him where he apologised for it.
Then, later on today however he just started shrieking again, this time in the hallway.

Not sure what to do, maybe he is mentally unwell, I've never seen this before. I'm not just talking about a bit of shouting, the guy is absolutely manic. I feel scared to live here, should we go to the police?

OP posts:
DoucheCanoe · 16/06/2021 14:13

I'd contact the police.

Hopefully he has a support network who can intervene once they're aware.

Librariesmakeshhhhappen · 16/06/2021 14:14

It sounds like you feel unsafe. When you feel unsafe you call 999.

It wont really do much to call now. You need to call while it is happening and tell them you're hearing shrieking and banging and tell them that you are frightened.

reprehensibleme · 16/06/2021 14:15

We had almost exactly the same situation with a neighbour some years ago. He was suffering from schizophrenia and had stopped taking his meds. Luckily one of his neighbours knew his family so let them know.

Original poster
Onewayoranother88 · 16/06/2021 14:15

When we see him outside smoking he seems relatively 'normal' for want of a better word.
I think the agency just had a gentle word with him but that hasn't worked.
Just feel scared of living here and what he could do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Onewayoranother88 · 16/06/2021 14:16

Yeah that's good idea, we've got recordings of him on our phone too in case. It always seems to be against someone but he lives alone.

OP posts:
Clementine23 · 16/06/2021 14:17

Just a thought? Is he gaming with a headset on?

MedusasBadHairDay · 16/06/2021 14:18

@Clementine23

Just a thought? Is he gaming with a headset on?
I was going to suggest this
AriadnetheSpider · 16/06/2021 14:18

Yes I absolutely would call the police if his behaviour is making you and others feel unsafe. He is potentially a danger to himself and others, the police can do a safe and well check and force entry if needs be. He can also be removed to a place of safety and treated for an acute mental health crisis if that’s the issue. I think it would be the responsible thing to do.

Original poster
Onewayoranother88 · 16/06/2021 14:18

It could be with a headset but even so, smashing up the flat and shrieking like that, it seems so disproportionate.

OP posts:
Hilly17 · 16/06/2021 14:23

The police could carry out a welfare check, so worth dialling 101 and they'll attend if they have the manpower.

Original poster
Onewayoranother88 · 16/06/2021 14:25

I feel scared to ring them as it might anger him even more.

OP posts:
NakedNugget · 16/06/2021 14:28

@Onewayoranother88

Yeah that's good idea, we've got recordings of him on our phone too in case. It always seems to be against someone but he lives alone.
He's either hallucinating or maybe gaming? Either way if you don't feel safe call the police
Librariesmakeshhhhappen · 16/06/2021 14:33

If the police see it, they can start the ball rolling on sorting the help he might need.
Could take a couple of calls as it happens.

Original poster
Onewayoranother88 · 16/06/2021 14:34

I'm not sure about gaming due to the smashing up the flat part, and the screaming is still far too much even if it were for gaming.
He was making death threats before too to whoever he was talking to, saying "I'll kill you!!!"

OP posts:
Untradwife · 16/06/2021 14:47

Hi OP, that sounds terrifying for you. I'm a forensic nurse and this poor man sounds very unwell. Please call the police who will then call the ambulance service x

musthavebeenlove · 16/06/2021 14:48

That sounds terrifying. I would definitely report him to the police.

Even if he’s mentally unwell, as sad as it is for him, you’re still entitled to feel safe in your own home (as are the other tenants) and his behavior is threatening, even if it’s not directly aimed at you.

warmandtoasty2day · 16/06/2021 14:48

def call the police, esp if other neighbours are worried and scared. someone HAS to make the call, do the right thing and do it.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 16/06/2021 14:51

I've lived around some right cases, and in yours, yeah, I'd call the police.

Whanganui · 16/06/2021 14:53

He’s probably talking to the voices in his head.

Charliebradbury · 16/06/2021 14:56

Call the police to do a welfare check. We used to have a neighbour who had mental health problems. Normally perfectly fine but then he stopped taking his meds. He would shout and scream, we got woken up by him throwing his furniture into the road, then it was hiding behind people's cars in the middle of the night. We tried speaking to his family but they were no help, we phoned the police who did a welfare check and adult social services were involved as well. It is really scary but the best thing for everyone is to get some help.

1forAll74 · 16/06/2021 15:00

Maybe he is bellowing and shrieking to someone on his phone, or maybe on some anti psychotic drugs and the like. I saw some guy in the streets some time ago,he was walking around doing much the same things, and a passing police car stopped, and said they would take the man to a hospital.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/06/2021 15:03

Ring the LL again,and again and then call the police if it continues. Make it the LLs responsibility to sort it out.

SunCatt · 16/06/2021 15:03

@Clementine23

Just a thought? Is he gaming with a headset on?

That's a good point actually. DH is a gamer, and I spoke to the lady next door because I was worried she might think there's a domestic violence situation going on here if she heard some of the crap DH shouts when he's gaming. Turns out her DH games too so they're both shouting at times.

That doesn't account for the sound of smashing though.

Mummytomylittlegirl · 16/06/2021 15:03

It sounds like he is mentally ill. I would contact the police, as it may be that he isn’t getting the help he needs.

IntoAir · 16/06/2021 15:03

He could just be a stoned or drunk gamer. Waste of my taxes, whatever.