to report this to the police

[onetimeusername2021]

Me and dh are having a debate about something that happened to me today.
I was walking along a road with my son when this woman asked me directions to a car wash near by. After i pointed it out to her ( We could see it from where we were) After that she asked me to go into her car to show her. I said no obviously but she said please get in and show me. At this point i just left. aibu to call police

To be honest because it's a bit strange, I'd post it in my local FB group.

That way if she's done similar to others, it might be worth the police recording it.

If not, no harm done.

It's unusual, but why dangerous? What do people think she may have wanted, other than at face value?

Abduct the child? Both of them? Why? If she is in danger, why does getting the woman in her empty car help? I can't fathom what people are thinking is happening here?

I'd have reported it. I'm surprised PP are confused. There were cases in my hometown years ago of women being used by sex slavery rings as honeypots.

I called the police about a man who threatened to head butt me and they didn’t do anything so not sure what you think they will do here

If you don't have the car reg number realistically it's pointless. She hasn't done anything other than act a bit strangely. Even with the number plate I honestly can't imagine it would be followed up. Shes not done anything

I'm surprised at the sarcastic comments. Being asked to get into a car to give directions when the location is clearly visible is more than a bit weird, and disturbing.

Maybe she approached several people that day. If you all reported it to the police an alert could be circulated for "a woman in black car trying to persuade people to get in to provide directions".

In our area, we've often had alerts from the police about suspicious circumstances. For example, a male and female in a transit van approaching mums outside the school drop-off and trying to get them to get in the van (I forget the reason they were giving). A man in a Corsa who was approaching 6th formers asking for directions (asking them to get in the car). And so on.

If the police don't bother doing anything, no harm done. If this mystery woman is trying to do something sinister, it might help prevent harm.

A doctor once gave me a really good bit of advice: better to do something and feel silly because it turned out to be nothing, than to ignore your gut instincts and regret it. I think this applies here.

@WorraLiberty

To be honest because it's a bit strange, I'd post it in my local FB group.

That way if she's done similar to others, it might be worth the police recording it.

If not, no harm done.

This

If I were to take this particular call (I'm a police dispatcher/calltaker) I'd hope you had the index of the vehicle. I'd run that through, check intel on vehicle, the owner and their address for anything concerning.
I'd circulate the veh details to the officers on the radio channel to keep an eye out for thr woman/vehicle.
it sounds very iffy and we have recently had issues with scammers approaching people in the street in elaborate set ups so I certainly wouldn't think you were wasting my time.

We can only make a decision about whether something is suspicious if the public tell us. I'd rather take your call about something odd than miss something.

How strange? I wouldn't report tbf, but remain vigilant and look out for any posts like that on social media, if I saw it on my local facebook page happening to others as well then I would probably report it.

I would report it.

It is odd especially if you could see it. What if the same thing is applied to a vulnerable person? Or if there has been a spate of these in the area.

Huh? Call the police and say what? A woman asked me to hop in her car to give her directions?

If something like that happened round here it would end up on the local Facebook pages.

If you feel so uncomfortable by it, and it was weird if nothing else, then id suggest phoning 101 / log it online.
In the past Ive reported a 'non' issue because it just felt wrong. I actually said to them that 'obviously it maybe nothing but...'. My concern was if id heard something had happened to someone later i would have felt very guilty that i hadnt reported it. Things are recorded, patterns can be picked up etc.

I wouldn't report to the police unless I knew the car model, color and possibly reg. I would post on my local groups across the area and any similar reports would trigger me to report even if I couldn't remember the car.

I found the online form but changed my mind as its such a non issue. Ive posted something on the next door neighbour app.

OP, keep an eye on the app and if anyone else reports the same irrational behaviour go to the police together.

Didn't Rose West lure their victims into the car and they trusted her because she was a woman? I would report it by the online form - if it's nothing they can just file it/ignore it whatever. But if it's something then it might help.

Op. I'm a police officer. I would absolutely encourage you to report.

No a crime has not occurred but police are in the business of gathering information and intelligence. We are only able to do our job when the public engage with us and give us information. Although it's insignificant in itself, there is no way of knowing if it related to something bigger without reporting it.

I would actively encourage you to either use the form or email your local neighbourhood officer so they can record an intelligence report.

It should include, location, timing, decent description of the woman (accents, accessories, skin colour, hair colour, height/build, clothing, anything that stood out) and an equally decent description of her vehicle. Particularly if you got the registration. Finally included information about CCTV cameras if you think there are any that may have captured her/her vehicle.

Ignore mn'ers telling you you're being ridiculous because you aren't. It doesn't mean you want an update from police or that you expect a 'service' response. It is simply information sharing.