To not let someone use my phone?

[ellie09]

Hi all

I was walking tonight with my dog up my estate, when a man approached me, his head in his hands. He was sobbing, and when I looked at him closer, he seemed to have quite a lot of scabs on his face, and his clothes/skin seemed to be dirty.

I asked him was he ok, and he said he didnt know where he was, and could he borrow my phone to ring someone.

I, a female on my own, in the dark, didnt want to hand over my phone (and I live in a bit of a dodgy area!), so I told him I had left it in the house whilst I went out with the dog.

I had tried to keep him talking, and asked for his name etc but he ignored. I asked was he sure he was ok, and he said no, then walked off.

AIBU?

Obviously, in this day and age, you are concerned for your own safety and property (theft, scam etc) but on the other hand, a few mins after. i thought that if that was ever my son etc, I would want someone to help him.

Once out of view, I did call non emergency police to let them know my concerns about h and the area he was walking towards.

Why did you talk to him in the first place? I would have been walking home fast just making sure he wasn't following. You were taking a big risk as a woman alone in the dark.

It's fine, OP - it would be silly to let him run off with your phone which he probably would. I mean, how are you supposed to know?

I think you were very kind to talk to him at all, and it's good that you let the police know. I would've rushed away. I certainly wouldn't have started a conversation.

Hard to avoid - narrow footpath and someone walking straight up to you. It would have been more difficult to ignore him completely, and you never know how someone would react to that either.

Seen him again as I was walking back round the loop - clearly unsteady on his feet, kept turning round and looking back. He made his way back up a hill the opposite way I was going, but I didnt want to run back into him again, so looped away and back home the long way

Hope he finds his way back home

Its either mental health or drugs, from speaking with him and how he looked

I'd probably post in my local FB group and see if anyone knows the poor sod.

He may be missing but not yet reported, or at least someone might put your mind at rest.

A teenager asked if she could borrow my phone, when I was out walking the dog. I told her that I didn’t have it. I’m sure that’s the best thing to do.

You did the right thing reporting it to the non emergency police. That’s all you need to do and not engage with him

No, you weren't unreasonable. I avoid any men who try to speak to me when I'm out on my own and would never hand over my only way of calling for help.

When I was 18, two girls asked for the time so I got my phone out to check. Lo and behold they snatched it, punched me to the ground and ran off with it.

Now I ignore anyone who approaches me.

Thanks - just done this in case someone is looking for him