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Original poster

Will the police tell them I reported it?

20 replies

calmdoon · 20/08/2023 03:57

I witnessed something happening in my street and called the police. The person I reported one of their family members then came to my door and asked did you report me as the police must have said a neighbour called plus it’s kind of obvious it was a neighbour. I said I didn’t but when it goes through solicitors/court will my report (recorded phone call) be disclosed to the solicitors and will my call be played in court? The person I reported is from a really rough family and I’ll be living a life of misery, my car will get damaged etc. if they found out it was me that called. However it was a very serious incident (drunk driving, hit & run) that I witnessed happening

OP posts:
Original poster
calmdoon · 20/08/2023 03:58

This happened on Saturday morning and I’ve been sick with worry all day and can’t sleep.

OP posts:
Missingmyusername · 20/08/2023 04:26

Giving you a bump- I wouldn’t have thought so. They may ask if you’d be prepared to give evidence in court and you’d have to say no?

Missingmyusername · 20/08/2023 04:27

Might be better posting in legal…

octoberfarm · 20/08/2023 04:42

Would it be possible to explain your concerns to the police and ask them about what would usually happen? They may be able to put a note on the file about maintaining your privacy?

NoTouch · 20/08/2023 05:01

You did the right thing reporting them. Well done. Evil flourishes when good (wo)men do nothing.

If your testimony is required for a conviction you can be summoned to court.

Speak to the police if there is a real threat of retaliation. Tell them you have already been intimidated by accusations, are fearful and ask for advice and options for staying anonymous.

littleripper · 20/08/2023 05:30

The police told my neighbours that we reported them to the RSPCA, they then harassed us with spurious claims that our children were neglected at the neighbours (who lost their pets as they were seriously neglecting them) say so. We received 7 police visits in 3 months, all after 11pm. I wouldn't trust them at all op. I am sorry.

Redglitter · 20/08/2023 05:37

They'll just have said they've had a call - they wont say theyve had a call from mrs calmdoon. Unfortunately in a lot of cases it's easy for people to work out who's responsible.

IF it goes to court they'll just go over what was said. Getting tapes from calls takes time & money and the Police don't issue them as a matter of course

MrsTerryPratchett · 20/08/2023 05:44

If it goes to Court you're the witness so yes, they will know. However, sometimes people just cop to things. The case I was a witness in, he pled guilty at the last minute.

Original poster
calmdoon · 20/08/2023 06:03

I reported anonymously and withheld my number although I know withholding to the police doesn’t work.

OP posts:
Oxborn · 20/08/2023 06:41

So you didn’t give your name or address in that case i think your fine, if you gave a actual statement might be different

Autieangel · 20/08/2023 06:51

If you reported anonymously they can't give your details out (whether they know them or not) it will stay as 'a neighbour'

WestOfWestminster · 20/08/2023 06:57

If it was a hit and run surely you could just say you reported the injurered person, not the drink driving/crash?

Waterweir · 20/08/2023 07:06

As I understand it, because of GDPR, they are not allowed in any way to identify you. I was told they could not even say 'report from a neighbour' but rather, 'it has been brought to our attention'. If there has been a visit from these people to your door, you can contact the police and ask if they used the phrase 'complaint from a neighbour'. I am pretty certain it is against GDPR to use that expression.

anotheranotheranotheranother · 20/08/2023 07:17

calmdoon · 20/08/2023 06:03

I reported anonymously and withheld my number although I know withholding to the police doesn’t work.

Eh? Surely the police don't know even know it was you then?

They are not going to be tracing an anon caller though their phone records just to tell the person who reported them Confused

Original poster
calmdoon · 20/08/2023 07:18

The police asked how I knew and I’d said I was a neighbour.

OP posts:
Original poster
calmdoon · 20/08/2023 07:20

So when they’ve went to the door they’ve obviously said a neighbour reported it. There was only myself and another neighbour at home so they’ve easily worked it out. A bit annoyed with the police and am worried sick on the repercussions as calling the police is not something this family does.

OP posts:
madeofcheeze · 20/08/2023 07:21

Is the neighbour likely to be able to narrow it down to you though? We had a malicious SS referral which was anonymous. Except the information meant that I was able to narrow it right down to neighbour who did it. Obviously I haven't done anything, but I know who it was.

anotheranotheranotheranother · 20/08/2023 07:24

calmdoon · 20/08/2023 07:20

So when they’ve went to the door they’ve obviously said a neighbour reported it. There was only myself and another neighbour at home so they’ve easily worked it out. A bit annoyed with the police and am worried sick on the repercussions as calling the police is not something this family does.

You are assuming the bit where the police had said it was a neighbour who reported.

Inkpotlover · 20/08/2023 07:36

If it goes to court then yes, details of the call will be given to the defence as a matter of disclosure. However, you didn’t give your details so you wouldn’t be identified and I imagine they’ll be convicted because there was damage caused by the hit and run and they were over the limit. You did nothing wrong, they did! Just deny it was you and keep denying it - they will never be able to prove who it was.

TheDisgustingBrothers · 20/08/2023 08:17

I’m not really sure what the police could have done differently? If what you’d reported was something that you saw with your own two eyes as it happened and there was only you and one other neighbour home then it doesn’t take much to figure out that a neighbour reported it anyway - even if the police didn’t say that. It sounds like the neighbour you reported has just put 2 and 2 together.

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