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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you report this or mind your own business?

250 replies

shadowkitty3 · 18/03/2023 18:47

There is a man who lives in a van in my town. For the last year or so he has been parked in a particular public car park. He is definitely homeless and lives in the van.

Out of curiosity I put the numberplate into the online car tax checker a few months ago. The van is SORN and the MOT expired four years ago.

So he shouldn't be parked there if the vehicle is SORN but I thought, it's none of my business and not up to me to do anything about it.

However, I've now noticed he has been driving the van around on the road. The van had moved to another part of the car park this week, and another time I saw it actually driving on the main road in the town.

This is concerning as he obviously doesn't have insurance and the vehicle doesn't even have an MOT. I don't know if I should report this to the police, but obviously no one else in the town has bothered. What would you do?

OP posts:
WhyCantYourPartnerDoIt · 18/03/2023 18:49

Jesus. Don’t kick him when he’s down.

Original poster
shadowkitty3 · 18/03/2023 18:52

WhyCantYourPartnerDoIt · 18/03/2023 18:49

Jesus. Don’t kick him when he’s down.

This is what I've been telling myself, but it's worrying that he's driving on the road. I was recently involved in a car accident (other party was at fault), and I had to think about the outcome if they didn't have insurance.

OP posts:
TomHanksIsFuckingAmazing · 18/03/2023 18:52

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
shadowkitty3 · 18/03/2023 18:52

*hate to think about the outcome

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 18/03/2023 18:52

I'd bet money on the fact that the police know but are turning a blind eye.

maddy68 · 18/03/2023 18:53

So you prefer his van to be confiscated. Then what ?

Jesus mind your own

Shininghope · 18/03/2023 18:54

You would be very unreasonable to do this.

DojaPhat · 18/03/2023 18:55

That you already checked his number plate "out of curiosity" and now feel torn over reporting pretty much answers the question. I would have minded my own business from the get-go. I often think people should be very economical in what they tell friends, family, neighbours etc because people who we seemingly trust can often be the very same people who'll call e.g. DWP or whatever but one main issue that has no solution is when you have 'concerned members of the public' like yourself who make it your work to 'police' others. The interesting thing I have found with people who see it as their 'civic' duty to police others is that you genuinely think you are doing good - I could understand if there was malice behind it but some of these people genuinely think of themselves as good people.

WiddlinDiddlin · 18/03/2023 18:56

Whats your goal here...

The police will catch him in the end if they get behind him and his vehicle plate will flag up the vehicle status.

He's then likely to lose his home and get a fine he probably has absolutely no means to pay.

Thats his risk to take, personally I wouldn't increase the chances of that happening by reporting him unless I also thought he was driving it around recklessly, drunk etc etc.

Fuckstix · 18/03/2023 18:56

Stay out of it. Sounds like he's got nowhere else to go except maybe some shitty hostel.

Kranke · 18/03/2023 18:56

This is the procedure the RAC recommend when hit by an uninsured driver: www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/insurance/what-to-do-if-youve-been-hit-by-an-uninsured-driver/

It sounds pretty much the same process as being hit by an insured one. Only difference is that it’s this guy’s only form of shelter at the moment so on balance I’d say he was safer in an uninsured van than sleeping on the street.

nottodaytomorrow · 18/03/2023 18:57

Aren't there any puppies to drown or old people to push over or something... jeez 🙄

bellabasset · 18/03/2023 18:57

As @mynameiscalypso I think the police know his background and what support he might be getting.

People are losing homes for all sorts of reasons

Veryverycalmnow · 18/03/2023 18:57

Poor man, leave home alone.

drpet49 · 18/03/2023 18:58

Wow, so everyone so far is happy for a vehicle ,without a valid MOT for 4 years, to be driven on public roads. It is a ticking timebomb.

Mountainpika · 18/03/2023 19:01

Perhaps those who are saying leave him alone would like to raise funds to buy him a safe vehicle and pay his insurance. It is indeed a very unsafe situation.

FUSoftPlay · 18/03/2023 19:03

Kranke · 18/03/2023 18:56

This is the procedure the RAC recommend when hit by an uninsured driver: www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/insurance/what-to-do-if-youve-been-hit-by-an-uninsured-driver/

It sounds pretty much the same process as being hit by an insured one. Only difference is that it’s this guy’s only form of shelter at the moment so on balance I’d say he was safer in an uninsured van than sleeping on the street.

Ive been hit by an uninsured driver and it was no real drama - still got my car repaired and compensation for my injuries.

Astrak · 18/03/2023 19:04

Leave it to the local police force. You know nothing about the person about whom you are complaining, other than the actions that are irritating you.
One day, you might be in a similar position.

LakeTiticaca · 18/03/2023 19:06

Driving around in an unroadworthy and possibly dangerous vehicle.....what could possibly go wrong?.
Surprised the owners of the carpark haven't had it towed, tbh

Burgoo · 18/03/2023 19:08

Unless you see him driving on the street you should leave it alone. They won't do anything unless they see him in the act.

purpleboy · 18/03/2023 19:09

Mountainpika · 18/03/2023 19:01

Perhaps those who are saying leave him alone would like to raise funds to buy him a safe vehicle and pay his insurance. It is indeed a very unsafe situation.

Sure I would. The poor man is living in his car, so you have any conceivable idea of how bad life is for him?

Train007 · 18/03/2023 19:15

You really are spying on the wrong kind of person! Now if you said he was a young boy racer driving at 60 in a 30 residential street then I would agree that he should be reported!
The van is obviously his home and a good chance the local police are turning a blind eye .
Get a life and be thankful it’s not you living in a van !

MissingMoominMamma · 18/03/2023 19:17

Have a whip-round for his MOT and insurance.

Stickworm · 18/03/2023 19:21

Have a whip-round for his MOT and insurance.

this would be a lovely outcome

Cocobutt · 18/03/2023 19:21

Aren't there any puppies to drown or old people to push over or something... jeez

😂😂

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