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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Man knocking telling me to come outside

157 replies

AmberHiker · 11/01/2026 01:07

At around 11pm, when all the houses were dark and quiet, an unknown man repeatedly knocked on my door. He didn’t knock loudly like it was an emergency – it was light but constant, which somehow felt worse.

I was home alone with my young child, which already made me feel vulnerable. I didn’t open the door but spoke through the glass. He told me there was an issue with “cars outside” and kept saying I should come out and look. His story was vague and didn’t really make sense. He had a dog right up at my door and he stood a few steps back. I started recording the conversation on my phone.

As it went on, he became more agitated. He then said he was going home but still told me I should come out and check for myself. I didn’t.

After he left, I looked outside properly from my kitchen window . The only car there was mine. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it – no lights on, no windows open, no damage, nothing. There were no other cars like he’d suggested either. There was literally no reason for him to knock on my door late at night.

The fact that he knocked repeatedly, tried to get me to come outside, and used a story that wasn’t true has really shaken me. Being alone at night with my child, in the dark, with someone trying to lure me outside has made me feel unsafe in my own home. I keep thinking how different it could have been if I’d opened the door.

I’ve reported it, but I just wanted to share in case it helps someone else trust their instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.

OP posts:
scorpiogirly · 11/01/2026 01:09

That is very creepy indeed. Good job you didn't open the door! What a weird excuse to knock too.

GreenLeaf25 · 11/01/2026 01:11

Please get a ring doorbell

EmeraldRoulette · 11/01/2026 01:15

Yeah, that is scary.

what did the police say? A colleague had to report somebody trying her back door and the police said it was not the first report they had in that road that night.

Hopefully, you can get the street on alert.

Do you have any kind of alarm? I actually have a doorstop alarm - I don't set it as such, but if anyone was actually at my door (in a flat) and I had any concerns, I would activate that. Or just keeping a panic alarm by the door would work.

RhannionKPSS · 11/01/2026 01:18

Get a Ring door bell, it’s worth it for peace of mind

AmberHiker · 11/01/2026 01:27

I actually have two ring doorbells one in the front and one covering the back alley and just my luck both were on charge at this time . I’m still awake now, I feel so unsettled which is silly but had I opened the door I’m assuming the dog would have come in first. I’ve listened to the recording over and over he doesn’t say for example ‘ sorry to knocks late is that your car outside ? The window is down ‘ you know something plausible it’s all very vague . First he says you should come out and look when he sees I’m not going too he says ‘ I’m going home now but you should still come look for yourself ‘ he was like 6ft with a non local accent and had a scarf wrapped around the bottom of his face .. which he did remove . Why did he knock so gently ? First couple I ignored I assumed maybe a delivery driver wrong house , but after a gap he knocked again.. feel quite shook up

OP posts:
novocaine4thesoul · 11/01/2026 01:34

Agree with all of the others about a doorbell. If you are short on budget, there are other choices, esp if you have glass door. Even the cheapest camera from inside trained on the door that you can access via your phone can do the job so you don't answer it, but you sometimes get a reflection back if camera is indoors. I use Blink because I do not want to pay the ring subscription fee per month (they have a module that you can buy for about £20 that records anything on an SD card) have also got the doorbell and it rings on my phone and then I look to see who it is (you can also speak over it if is a friend or parcel man etc.) Other thing is to be part of any sort of street whatsapp etc. Not everyone has this. Our street started it in covid and it has lasted, and largely it is a force for the good, been very useful for neighbours getting rid of stuff that others have enthusiastically taken, borrowing stuff, and occasional anti-social behaviour, parking issues etc.. I don't even know my neighbours that well but certainly if I said on it "there is something weird going on and it is frightening me" those that were awake would come out and help. Someone is always up ! x

RosyPumpkins · 11/01/2026 02:54

What an unsettling experience, I hope you’re ok OP and that you got some sleep

Youngeryoungsuddenly · 11/01/2026 03:01

Bloody hell, how creepy. I hope he doesn’t come back OP.

NotMeAtAll · 11/01/2026 03:11

Something like that happened to my mother. It was a young woman shouting in the letter box trying to get her to open the door.

Friendlygingercat · 11/01/2026 03:18

I once had men knocking on my door pretending to be doing a gas leak check. Not late at night but they were pushy. I told them I was calling the police to check their ID before I opened. They left quickly. When the police arrived they checked with the gas company and there were no eams out looking for leaks. It was an attempted scam.

You could have told him "Thanks for letting me know about the cars. Im calling the police (or some mates who live in the next street) now to come and check." My guess is that he would leave very quickly.

LovesLabradors · 11/01/2026 03:24

Really sinister. May have been someone with mental health issues, or something much worse. Hope you sleep tonight!

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 11/01/2026 03:41

I'd warn and check with neighbours too.

CanNotBeArsedAtAll · 11/01/2026 03:55

It doesmt reslly help, especially not now
But please make sure ring doorbells are charged in the day time or better still, they are hard wired so dont need to be charged

heartbroken26 · 11/01/2026 04:00

I would have said 'ok, I'll just get my husband out of bed to check' make out there is a man in the house.
I've even seen before someone say get some men's shoes like work boots etc and leave them outside the door, any creeps like this will then think there is a man living there.
I would speak to your neighbour's in the morning to see if anyone else had any knocks xx

Topseyt123 · 11/01/2026 04:04

Creepy.

I once had someone knocking persistently at about 10.30pm. They ran away when I called out simply that they were on cctv and that I would be calling the police if they continued. It was very unsettling though.

So beyond saying that I would call the police and use the cctv, I wouldn't engage them in any conversation at all.

canuckup · 11/01/2026 04:07

Honestly I'd have probably just said 'right, ok' shut the window and called the police. I have zero time for random men knocking on doors at 11pm.

TheSalvadorsStickbymebaby · 11/01/2026 04:54

That's so creepy no wonder you got a scare

Augustus40 · 11/01/2026 06:26

I never answer after dark or when late. I would probably not have heard them. If I had I would have checked from the upstairs front window then ignored them.

SatsumaDog · 11/01/2026 06:32

That sounds very suspicious and frightening op. Well done for standing your ground and not opening the door.

user1492757084 · 11/01/2026 06:47

Good on you for informing the Police. Make a proper report, including the appearance of the fellow.

Muffinmam · 11/01/2026 06:48

I once had a man from down the street knock on my door late at night claiming he was the Police.

I didn’t appreciate the intrusion. I wasn’t upset or scared - I was angry. He wasn’t invited, he obviously wasn’t a cop and it annoyed me. I swore at him. Didn’t bother reporting him.

Another time a guy got into my courtyard and was staring at me through the curtains.

I opened the front door and set my dogs on him.

I’m so sick of predatory men.

I have so many more stories.

Stayingafloatish · 11/01/2026 06:52

It might have been he chose your house because he could see you didn’t have your ring doorbell up. Only charge during the day moving forwards so it’s up at night. Also like what the other poster said about saying thanks for letting you know, you’ve called the police to come and check things out!

openthewindoweveryday · 11/01/2026 06:56

Do you live alone OP or is it just that your DP was out? If you live alone I know it sounds awful but I’d be worried you’ve been specifically targeted as a lone female. Do you have any male relatives or friends who could pop in and out for a bit to show a male presence just in case the culprit has been watching your house? I really don’t mean to create more anxiety by saying this, you must’ve been so worried.

OnePoisedLilacEagle · 11/01/2026 07:04

Speak to some neighbours and see if this man approached them. If he hasn't, let them know so they can be prepared if he shows up again.

mbonfield · 11/01/2026 07:28

The male have mental health issues but you did the right not go outside.

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