AIBU to think this intimidating house buying letter should be reported to police?

[Blopi]

Friend’s elderly neighbours came back from holiday to find a letter delivered by person. It has made them upset and frightened.

It was addressed to them personally Mr and Mrs (surname)
They said that their home is too big for the couple and would be suitable for a 5 bedroom HMO. Willing to pay £Xk for it (properties have been selling for 10-15% more) and will visit them on Thursday at 11am to discuss things. Signed by Mr (common surname). No phone number or email address.

Her neighbours have zero intention of moving home as they have lived there for 58 years. They are upset on how they are targeted and wondering how did they get their names?

In the past I had these letters which have been sent to others down the estate. Though not intimidating like this letter, nor personalised.

Unfortunately my friend is working on Thursday. She would have loved to have seen if the person turned up and told

Should my friend phone the police on the non emergency line about this? As maybe something else dodgy going on

There is a lot of detail missing. Every upsetting thing isn't a police matter. Their names were almost certainly on the electoral registry. The letter was probably sent to a number of people.

Mountain out of a molehill. Let the little things go.

I suspect you may not have realised that the original letter had no contact details apart from a name on it.

there are no contact details on the letter.

so they are going to turn up at everybody's houses?

I think it's the AI that @NotThisShitAgain121 has used to generate her replies that has missed that. People should state they have used AI and always double check what it says is correct (I have been burnt by this...)

I did wonder......and what an apt username!

I think they need to arrange for a friend or friends or family members to be there and when these cheeky arrogant pratts turn up let them read them the riot act, tell them in no uncertain terms they have absolutely zero right to write let alone turn up at the property, then get nerf guns out and shoot at them still they leave.

I think they need to arrange for a friend or friends or family members to be there and when these cheeky arrogant pratts turn up let them read them the riot act, tell them in no uncertain terms they have absolutely zero right to write let alone turn up at the property, then get nerf guns out and shoot at them still they leave.

She should smear the letter with dogshit and send it back!😡

The original letter wasn't a matter for the police, but this would be!

Who should she send it back to?

Is today the day (for the visit)?

No don't report it to the Police. What crime do you think was committed?

For the millionth time...
Most of the suggestions to call the police are to call either PCSOs, whose job is to work and be present in the community, or the non-emergency number, which is for advice and can be (was, in my own experience) very helpful and reassuring.

Yes, they'll thank you for the information then file it in the bin. Because there's nothing for them to action.

Are you being deliberately obtuse, or are you having a problem comprehending?
It's not about 'actioning' something as if there was a crime. It's about either a community officer coming round to be present when these people say they're going to call (and at least one poster on here has said that would happen where they live, before anyone scoffs about the police never doing that), or a reassuring conversation on the non-emergency number, in which they might recommend having a friend or neighbour come round, not answering the door or opening the curtains at that time, or anything else that might make the couple feel safer.

Totally agree - they would call in my area & also where my elderly friend lives (Devon) & were very proactive in supporting them when a (not too dissimilar) situation occurred.

Your post isnt even 3rd party information, it's more distant.

You say it's neighbours of a friend that you've somehow involved yourself in. And you haven't posted the letter because presumably you don't have it but you've made a number of claims about it such as initially saying it was worrying because it included the friends neighbours names then later saying it made reference to them being elderly?

Sorry if I didn't think your vague post about people not even known to you warranted calling the Police.

It would be a big mistake for them to sign a name, for reasons given in above answers, that they could be copied and used by scammers in future.

Yes, it was supposedly 11am this morning.

@Blopi did anything happen in the end?

OK, a few locals came to help just in case the letter writer turned up, giving them ideas. Nobody turned up.

But that doesn't mean to say they will come again. My friend's neighbours feel relived but still worried. Their nephew (couple are childless) and installed cameras which don't need wifi - as not got internet inside the property.

I did suggest upthread that it might be a nasty joke. Do any of the neighbours post on any local group social media? Would one of them consider posting a general comment about a nasty joke letter going around?

So glad to hear nobody came. What a nasty letter to receive.

Was this letter obviously written from the perspective of an individual person making a speculative enquiry? Or was it letterheaded from a company and written to make it look official somehow? For example worded in such a way as 'government housing statistics show that your household is under-occupied and the government are encouraging the selling of family homes to make space for young families' yada yada.

Because if it's the second then it's a concerted campaign to put pressure on elderly owner-occupiers and to get them thinking about selling, before they then send round a team of door to door agents the following week. Those people will no doubt offer to do valuations on the spot (having already looked online in advance and come up with a low figure) with promises of hassle free, quick and easy sales with no chains, no risks and no estate agent fees etc. They'll be targeting specific addresses in the area with just one or two elderly occupants.

It's something I think trading standards should know about. It's also worth contacting the media, particularly consumer advice type TV programmes or journalists who have a special interest in companies who target and scam the elderly with underhand selling techniques. This the sort of thing they've love to do a piece on.

Your post sounds as if you think I'm the OP.