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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To call the police over this girl screaming?

181 replies

MrsTumbletap · 03/07/2021 22:12

I can hear a girl screaming across the road in what at first sounded like a 9-12year (I'm guessing) having a tantrum. I couldn't make out what she was saying but could hear the parents shouting and screaming back.

This was about at 30minutes ago. I thought initially it's a parenting issue, not my business. Now I can clearly hear her screaming "I want to go to my mums house!" She is screaming it over and over and over at the top of her lungs. Really screaming, they are screaming back, it is relentless. It's awful and making me feel like I need to go round there and help. (I won't of course it is clearly quite volatile in there). I can hear this with their windows closed and a drive in front of their house and a road between us and my windows closed.

What would you do?

Do I leave it alone, not my business?
Call the non emergency number and report?

OP posts:
SheldonesqueTheBstard · 03/07/2021 22:21

I could sleep at night with being over cautious.

I would struggle if I’d done nothing when I should have.

MimiDaisy11 · 03/07/2021 22:21

I might call a non emergency number but I wouldn’t call 999 over a teenager screaming.

tommmanndjjerrry · 03/07/2021 22:23

I would call 999 and let the professional make that judgment.

That amount of distress for that long isn't a minor domestic incident.

I would rather ask the police to take a few minutes to check than potentially wake up tomorrow to something horrifying.

alexdgr8 · 03/07/2021 22:25

@MimiDaisy11

I might call a non emergency number but I wouldn’t call 999 over a teenager screaming.
OP said it sounded like a 9-12 year old.

i go with the others, OP; ring 999 now.

PandemicPalava · 03/07/2021 22:25

Definitely call. As others have said, better to over react than miss something serious.

Sally872 · 03/07/2021 22:27

Could be loving family and a child being unreasonable if you call in error then there is no harm done.

If the screaming is for good reason and you don't call that would be much worse.

Grainjar · 03/07/2021 22:27

Call it in. If nothing is wrong, it will be quickly resolved. If something is wrong it needs intervention.

Bouncebacker · 03/07/2021 22:29

Please call OP

AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 03/07/2021 22:30

Why wouldn't you call? You might help someone in trouble and if it's nothing there're not likely to be issues arising from you calling.

Original poster
MrsTumbletap · 03/07/2021 22:31

I called 999 too long a queue on 101.

They are still screaming and there was a very loud bang a minute ago that made me feel sick. The screaming has continued I was actually relieved as I thought something bad had happened.

OP posts:
AttaGirrrrl · 03/07/2021 22:32

There’s a child in distress. She’s been in distress for a significant amount of time. Of course you call! Let the police decide what to do, but at least give them (her!) that chance.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 03/07/2021 22:32

Absolutely call. 999. Nothing else will do. Best of luck.

ARealTrip · 03/07/2021 22:33

Another vote for calling, they police can go in and if all innocent then that’s ok.

girlmom21 · 03/07/2021 22:33

I'm glad you've called. The police are usually very fast at responding so hopefully will only be a few minutes away.

Theimpossiblegirl · 03/07/2021 22:33

Better to be wrong and everything to be fine, than to be wrong and ignore someone needing help.
Well done for calling, op.

Sloaneslone · 03/07/2021 22:34

Glad you called.

So much awful stuff happens because people turn a blind eye.

Whatever is happening, this isn't good for anyone in there. The situation needs calming down, even if it turns out to be nothing horrendous.

MyGrassIsBrowner · 03/07/2021 22:34

Well done OP. Hopefully the police will diffuse a potentially serious situation!

Maggiesfarm · 03/07/2021 22:34

@NiceTwin

Emergency number. 101 won't be quick enough.
Yes.
Teapotsandtablecloths · 03/07/2021 22:35

You did the right thing op x

Wherediditgo · 03/07/2021 22:35

@Sally872

Could be loving family and a child being unreasonable if you call in error then there is no harm done.

If the screaming is for good reason and you don't call that would be much worse.

I was going to say I agree with this

Then I read that you have called 999. Well done OP.

TellmewhoIam · 03/07/2021 22:35

@MrsTumbletap Good call. Something serious is happening: emotional abuse, at least. There should not be shouting from the adults. Hope you can breathe and sleep.

nellly · 03/07/2021 22:35

Hope police arrive soon, you've done the right thing. I grew up in an abusive household and wish the neighbours had
Called Sad

Snowpatrolling · 03/07/2021 22:36

Oh gosh this sounds horrific, not gonna lie but me and my teen dd have had epic screaming matches, never last more than a few minutes tho. I wouldn’t be angry if someone called the police, I’d be embarrassed but not angry.
Hope the girl is ok. :(

WingingItSince1973 · 03/07/2021 22:36

Glad you have called.

Original poster
MrsTumbletap · 03/07/2021 22:36

Thanks all just needed that reassurance, the police are there now.

Might be completely nothing and I'm being ridiculous, I can live with that. Can't live with the alternative.

OP posts:
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