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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Message from the police on Christmas eve

39 replies

chitofftheshovel · 31/12/2023 07:46

I got a voicemail from my local police force on Christmas Eve. The message was basically that she wasn’t going to say what it was about in case someone else was listening, she’d try again later that day and to look out for an unknown number and failing that get in touch “after the Christmas period” that she just wanted “a chat” and it was “nothing to worry about”.

Ive checked and the number was definitely the local police force and they haven’t tried to call since the message was left (they’d tried one minute before leaving the message).

I was arrested and released without charge at the beginning of December so presumably it had something to do with that. But why would they be getting in touch 3 weeks after the fact and aibu to think we are now past “the Christmas period” and they should have contacted me by now?

OP posts:
Redglitter · 31/12/2023 07:50

When she tries again will depend on what shift she is. She may be says off.

The fact she's said not to worry and there's been no urgency in trying to contact you I'd just wait to hear back

If you know the officers details you could call 101 and ask when she's next on & if they could let her know you've returned her call.

Other than that there's really nothing you can do

Pottyberry · 31/12/2023 07:53

I think without knowing the circumstances of your arrest - which you certainly don't have to explain here - it's too hard to guess what she wants. It could be a follow-up out of concern for you, or a partner or child. More information may have come to light, charges may be brought against someone else. The fact that it doesn't seem urgent is probably positive

Babyblackbear78 · 31/12/2023 07:53

Try calling them 🤷‍♀️

IfTheresTeaTheresHope · 31/12/2023 08:00

The new year is after the Christmas period, people often book leave between Christmas and New Year returning to work in January.

Original poster
chitofftheshovel · 31/12/2023 08:02

redglitter I don’t know the officers details. It sounded like the officer who interviewed me but I can’t be sure.
I hadn’t considered that the officer might be off shift but have taken the lack of urgency as a good sign.

OP posts:
Pipsquiggle · 31/12/2023 08:03

After Christmas period, means after New Year

CanImakethisbetter · 31/12/2023 08:05

It probably connected to whatever you were arrested for.

If it was urgent and they are off they would have passed it to someone else.

Original poster
chitofftheshovel · 31/12/2023 08:10

Ok so Christmas period runs to the New Year - I’ll look forward to a phone call soon then! Although I suspect I’ll be very low on the list of priorities by then.
Had they asked me to ring them back I would have done.

OP posts:
Redglitter · 31/12/2023 08:18

Had they asked me to ring them back I would have done

It's not really practical for them to do that though. If they're in doing paperwork it won't be for long. Chances are by the time you called back they'll be out doing calls etc & the room they were in will be empty

If take Christmas period to be until Tues or Wed if you're in Scotland & the 2nd is a holiday too

FUPAgirl · 31/12/2023 08:24

She definitely will have meant the new year. You know what it's in relation to, so there's no point in panicking. Clearly it's an update on your case or clarification on something from your statement.

AuContraire · 31/12/2023 08:26

Did your arrest have anything to do with domestic violence?

determinedtomakethiswork · 31/12/2023 08:26

Do you think she's worried for your safety? I was thinking that because she wouldn't leave a full message.

Original poster
chitofftheshovel · 31/12/2023 08:35

AuContraire no nothing to do with domestic violence. And no children involved either.
determined it crossed my mind that she was concerned for my safety with what she said but I’m not sure how she would have come to that conclusion. We had a chat after she’d turned the recording device off and she seemed satisfied that I was fine.

OP posts:
Redglitter · 31/12/2023 08:35

determinedtomakethiswork · 31/12/2023 08:26

Do you think she's worried for your safety? I was thinking that because she wouldn't leave a full message.

If the OP was arrested recently its more likely to be regarding privacy. She's not going to leave a message saying its regarding X incident when you were arrested incase the OP has chosen to keep that to herself.

If it was a safety concern she wouldn't leave it right over Christmas

FUPAgirl · 31/12/2023 08:36

It's standard practice to ensure confidentiality

Original poster
chitofftheshovel · 31/12/2023 08:42

redglitter that makes sense.

OP posts:
Rightsraptor · 31/12/2023 09:19

I honestly don't mean to be pedantic here (you won't believe me, I know) but Christmas actually starts on Christmas day and last till twelfth night. So, technically, she might mean after January 5th/6th.

I don't imagine she does mean that, of course, and the officer is either off shift or thinks she's being kind to you by not giving you details over the festive bit of Christmas. But I think she'd have been kinder not telling you and just getting in contact as & when. It must be like a tortuous drip for you. Or maybe that was her aim all along.

Fingers crossed for you.

PuppyMonkey · 31/12/2023 09:24

I don’t think it’s as deep as waiting for twelfth night or anything, she just means when Christmas/New Year madness is over and life is back to normal - ie on Tuesday or after.

Delassalle · 31/12/2023 09:37

Probably pissed off that they had to release you without charge so thought they would make you worry and be anxious over Christmas by leaving a message on Christmas Eve.

MistletoeandJd · 31/12/2023 09:40

It sounds like a welfare type check up. Christmas time is the height of abuse.

Without knowing your arrest details its hard to say so going to hypothetical here.

If anything to do with alcohol substance abuse they may think you were looking for an escape from whatever - mental health check.

If anything to do with disturbance and breach of peace - same again.

Theft can be to check you've got enough money ect.

They have concerns re. Someone hurting you l.

OR

She's filled your paperwork and something has cropped up that she needs to confirm with you just like a missed detail or slightly varying statements ( doesn't mean you are lying or anything just the have to cross the ts and dot your eyes)

MistletoeandJd · 31/12/2023 09:43

The local station actually frequently phoned my dm to 'check in' there was one lady officer who seemed to show genuine care and would make a point of checking in.. ultimately that lady got to come remove my sd and freed my dm. Not saying yours is dv obviously you've cleared that up but some of them genuinely care and if they have a niggling feeling they can and do check up.

Redglitter · 31/12/2023 09:43

It sounds like a welfare type check up. Christmas time is the height of abuse

That being the case she's not going to just leave it til after Christmas. If it was a welfare issue she'd have made a point of trying again or passed it on to the next shift to make contact

MistletoeandJd · 31/12/2023 09:45

Yeah I kind of agree but they do have boundaries to follow and too much ttying to help can backfire on them.

Kimmeridge · 31/12/2023 09:45

Delassalle · 31/12/2023 09:37

Probably pissed off that they had to release you without charge so thought they would make you worry and be anxious over Christmas by leaving a message on Christmas Eve.

Don't be so stupid.

SENDhelp2023 · 31/12/2023 09:46

Police cane to my house a couple if times 18 months ago, pretty sure I know why but never returned, so much bigger fish to fry