To call the police about children playing outside

[Worrying34]

Call the police or mind my own business…

It sounds insane but I’d never forgive myself if something is actually wrong.

Theres two children currently playing on a field near my house right now. I.e. nearly 11pm on a Tuesday in term time. In the dark.

They look about 8.

I saw them about an hour ago when I walked the dog and thought it was odd then. I can hear them and see in the distance that they’re still there now. My partner has gone out and I’m alone with my baby so can’t leave the house and go out and speak to them.

I think they are probably from a family who we’ve noticed before lets their children play out regularly until after 9 in the summer.

Im genuinely torn whether I’m being neglectful not calling someone or an interfering busybody for even considering it.

I’d call the police

Fine to report this.

Call the police - this is a safeguarding issue.

Yeah I think you should call

Use the 101 not 999

I agree with calling the non emergency number.

Yes, i would call 101 and report it.

I would call the police, what if something happens to them and you made a post on mumsnet but didn’t call the police, you’d never forgive yourself.

Is it their own field?

Definitely a safeguarding issue

Yes, definitely call

Yeah call 101, for all you know the parents could have reported them missing and have no idea where they are and at 8 maybe they don't have phones and no idea how late it's gotten.

Safeguarding issue. Defo call 101. It takes a village etc, and I would hope if for some mad reason it was my kids out late and unaccompanied, a kind lady like you would make a call about it.

I guess the concensus is ring the police.

I have an 8 yr old, I actually wouldn't let him in the front yard without supervision let alone out until 11pm in a field.

However my 8 yr old is massively tall and having early puberty, under endocrinology, looks 12. My 12 yr old nephew looks about 7. I think report tonight but be aware boys especially vary massively in the age they are versus the age they look. My giants best friend is the same height as my 5 yr old daughter (who is not tall) and everything in between. My 12 yr old nephew and his pals out playing football wouldn't worry me at that time I don't think

Thank you all. I just needed to sense check it with someone.

I did call. Took a little while to get through but they were still out there about 10 past 11 and finally ran back from the field and seemed to go into some flats nearby while I was on the phone. Haven’t heard anything more so I think they were just playing out really really late.

I suspect the police may come by to check there’s no sign of them still outside.

It’s not their field it’s just a public field that’s between a large amount of flats. If it was children in their own garden this late I would think it was odd but wouldn’t be as concerned.

A public field or in does it belong to them?

When it comes to children I would always take action if I was concerned.

ETA- sorry OP, we crossed posts

I had been thinking this too. It was dark, they weren’t right next to me when I was walking the dog as they were running about playing on the field so I couldn’t see them super up close. Boys can look younger at that age than girls. I think they were between 8-10 with one definitely younger than the other but it’s not impossible that the older boy could have been 12.