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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour being assaulted 101 line

30 replies

Birchtree1 · 03/08/2023 15:51

My 72 year old neighbour was assaulted in a large Asda car park in Cornwall.
she has huge scratches on her arm. Guy took her bank card ( we cancelled it already)
she hasn’t got a smart phone mobile. She was really shaken and upset.
all she could think about was get in the car and get home and she came straight to us. I have been on a non emergency line after calling 101 for almost 2 hours!? Is this normal? The guy probably will do it to other vulnerable people!?

OP posts:
Honeysuckle16 · 03/08/2023 15:53

I’d phone 999 for an assault.

blacknredsweeties · 03/08/2023 15:54

It's not happening now or life threatening though?

Monkeylimas · 03/08/2023 15:54

Does she need to go to the doctors to be looked at? Can you call in at a local police station?

Sexnotgender · 03/08/2023 15:55

That’s awful, is there a local number you can call?

Original poster
Birchtree1 · 03/08/2023 16:08

She has got deep scratches on her arms, was on hold to nonemergency line for almost 2 hours . Given up now on phone.
that guy will obviously do it again.

OP posts:
UncertainSmiler · 03/08/2023 16:09

Why didn’t you call 999? That would be the obvious thing to do.

mintich · 03/08/2023 16:12

You should have called 999 as soon as she came to you

NowItsSpring · 03/08/2023 16:13

I would have rung 999, but I you can also report online.

Anothernamethesamegame · 03/08/2023 16:16

I’d pop in to a police station with her and report it in person with her. Can you contact Asda and ask them to make sure the CCTV is kept?

I wouldn’t call 999 as by now it is not an emergency response you need. I would have if I was with her at the time but I’m not sure it’s justified now.

LakeTiticaca · 03/08/2023 16:17

Should have been 999 right away . More chance for police to apprehend the perpetrators

penelopepipsqueak · 03/08/2023 16:30

It's not an emergency now but definitely needs reporting so either try 101 again or do an on line report

MadeForThis · 03/08/2023 16:47

999 the guy could still be in the area.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 03/08/2023 16:58

You should have called 999 whilst it was happening?
It would be a good idea to get her checked at A&E They can get the police to take a statement from her there

Nuca · 03/08/2023 17:01

Has anyone read op’s post properly? How could she have called 999 whilst it was happening if op wasn’t there when it was happening? It clearly says the lady drove home and then went to see the op

LightSpeeds · 03/08/2023 17:09

Yes, I'm afraid it's normal for the non-emergency line to not be answered (well, certainly here it is).

TheFormidableMrsC · 03/08/2023 17:13

You can report online and I'd make a point of saying that you sought police assistance via phone but couldn't wait any longer. I hope she's ok, poor woman.

Thehonestybox · 03/08/2023 17:15

Yeah I think it's normal. I used to call 101 every few nights (i live in between a nightclub and a detox centre) as a police officer told me it "helps them plan staffing for the future", but eventually realised it was a waste of my time being on hold for ages.

In fairness, it's likely your neighbour's attacker will already be known to the police and has recently been reported for similar crimes, so I wouldn't feel bad about giving up and moving on. Being there for your neighbour like you were is more helpful.

amylou8 · 03/08/2023 17:18

It's not 999 at this point, but if you can't get through on 101 then I would. It's robbery and needs to be reported sooner rather than later. Your poor neighbour. Did anyone help her at the scene? Hopefully asda will have some cctv.

username543210 · 03/08/2023 17:40

Your poor neighbour, hope she's ok.
101 answered immediately when I called yesterday.
the initial recorded message said they were connecting me to my city and then it was immediately answered by a human so maybe it depends on area.

Ladyoftheknight · 03/08/2023 17:46

999, they'll take details from her and can warn others. Please don't give up. Also possibly get her checked at A+E/GP appt asap so they can log the injuries in case police are useless.

drpet49 · 03/08/2023 17:46

Nuca · 03/08/2023 17:01

Has anyone read op’s post properly? How could she have called 999 whilst it was happening if op wasn’t there when it was happening? It clearly says the lady drove home and then went to see the op

This!

tsmainsqueeze · 03/08/2023 17:52

I would be calling 999 and i also think she should get medical help today if she has deep scratches.

Polik · 03/08/2023 17:53

I phone 101 fairly regularly (for work) and it's always answered quickly, within minutes

HopityHope · 03/08/2023 17:55

Take her to A&E or minor injuries unit for the injuries and report it online for her if you’re no longer on hold/try again after the hospital.

anniegun · 03/08/2023 17:58

Sadly this is not unusual. Our local policing team told our neighbourhood watch group that101 and PCSO patrols were suffering as staff were being recruited to meet the governments police targets and support services were being cut back to compensate