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Victims of crime

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Original poster

Can police just force their way in to my home?

98 replies

Milwaukee02 · 19/08/2020 01:35

Just that really. I was asleep. I awoke to knocking, I opened the door and they forced their way in and searched my house for someone. The person was not in my home. I cannot believe the police can just enter peoples homes without explanation. Any advice would be gratefully received.

OP posts:
Dohorseseatapples · 19/08/2020 05:52

Unfortunately what tends to happen is some posters don’t help this process and throw anger back at you.

I very much doubt that anyone on here is angry with the OP.
The police have a job to do and only storm an address if they have good reason to believe a person is there or hiding there.
Yes, it’s not nice for the OP but ‘the person’ they were looking for was her son.
What has he been up to? Nice quiet drink with friends in the pub? Obviously not.
OP says it’s none of our business....

Catsup · 19/08/2020 06:04

Umm, nobody is angry with the OP 😳 Most people have pointed out the police don't enter your house to search for your child (who you state is in there), unless the police have evidence to believe your child has committed a crime. Pretty shitty for OP that they haven't been the person to commit the crime (unknown). But regardless, their child who is stated to live in their house, has/been belived to commit a crime. Do we all just start stating; 'well my partner/child may have broken the law, but I'm in my pj's, so come back tomorrow 🙄). That'd work out fucking excellently for a boat load of rapists/sex offenders/drunk drivers/drug dealers! (clearly not saying OP's DS is any of those!).

Perching · 19/08/2020 06:23

Why are you cross with the police and not with your son?
They are doing their job and protecting society. You would expect them to do the same for you against (suspected?) criminals, and would probably bitterly complain if they didn’t!
Why are you not furious with your son? If mine brought the police to my door he would be out.
And you told them he was there, what did you think would happen.

nasiisthebest · 19/08/2020 06:35

Of course they are allowed (providing a good reason). Otherwise they could never arrest someone.

nasiisthebest · 19/08/2020 06:37

It's your sons fault that the police entered your home while you were ready for the night. It's his fault you felt uncomfortable. Be angry with him, not the police.

rwalker · 19/08/2020 06:48

Your sons done something they do have the power to do this.

Sorry but find it hilarious that you think police should go to a wanted persons house knock on the door and be told they are not in and they just go away .

CrowdedHouseinQuarantine · 19/08/2020 06:53

i had this, it was shocking and awful, and it was not anyone i knew that they were looking for

cariadlet · 19/08/2020 06:53

Op, a couple of weeks ago you posted about reluctantly throwing your son out after a couple of years of challenging behaviour had culminated in him hitting you. That was clearly a heartbreaking decision and not one that you had taken lightly.

You've obviously agreed to let him move back in and it would be natural to hope that being thrown out would have been a wake up call for your son and a chance for him to change his ways. Instead, he's brought the police to your door and you've had this awful, distressing experience.

Being woken up by the police and then having officers barge in and search your home must have been a terrible shock and really upsetting. But they were just doing their job. It's not their fault; it's down to your son.

His behaviour is not a reflection on you or your parenting. You're clearly a caring mum who has done her best in very trying circumstances for a long time. Unfortunately, some children choose the wrong path no matter what parents do. He's not a child anymore; he's 18. If he's still involved in things that would bring the police to your home then he's showing that he has no respect for you. Maybe it's time to throw him out but this time to do it permanently. 💐

Friendsoftheearth · 19/08/2020 07:01

It would have been better if op hadn’t been pushed though wouldn’t it?

She was almost certainly just moved out of the way, and there is an urgency to her description, if lives would be saved/protected then it is a good thing that they are not taking their time.

This sounds very serious, and you sound very used to this kind of thing happening to your son, so I am not sure what you are expecting on this thread op? Sympathy?

Your son has broken the law, something so serious that the police have raided your home looking for him. The focus should be on getting some legal advice. If you don't like what your son is bringing into your home, ask him to live elsewhere.

KarenFitzkaren · 19/08/2020 07:14

Hope you are OK this morning op Flowers

Northernparent68 · 19/08/2020 07:46

Op, we do not know what country you live in or what your son has done, we can’t give any advice without knowing the basics.

prh47bridge · 19/08/2020 07:59

we do not know what country you live in or what your son has done, we can’t give any advice without knowing the basics

Assuming the OP lives in the UK she has already given all the information needed to give the advice she requested. The police were searching for her son. What he has allegedly done to prompt the police to come after him is irrelevant. They had a reasonable belief that he was in the OP's house as it is his home and the OP said he was there. They were therefore legally entitled to force entry to the OP's house.

@Milwaukee02 - I'm sure you were shaken up by what happened. I hope you are feeling better this morning.

AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter · 19/08/2020 08:12

It's your sons fault that the police entered your home while you were ready for the night. It's his fault you felt uncomfortable. Be angry with him, not the police

This. I find it mind boggling that the anger is directed towards the police and not the person who is actually responsible for this shit show

PopsicleHustler · 19/08/2020 08:17

I'd be upset too, if police came barging into my home searching for a person who doesnt live in my household. But if you're innocent, it shouldnt matter.

PopsicleHustler · 19/08/2020 08:19

Oh just seen, they were looking for your child. Goodness gracious. Hope it all gets resolved.

Jessbow · 19/08/2020 08:22

They didnt force their way in, you allowed them entry by opening to door. Seems they were looking for your son. You said he was in, they came in looking for him.

Had you not answered the door, they may well have forced their way in- with the door opener!

If you son has committed a crime that warrents the police looking for him, do you really imagine they stand on the doorstep whilst he comes to the door ? Meanwhile he is off out of the backdoor and out of the gate.

Bluntness100 · 19/08/2020 08:24

Op, you even told them he was home. Clearly there is a significant issue with your son so of course if they need to capture him they can come in.

You don’t seriously think they need to ask permission and if the person says no or in ten mins they just fuck off out of it do you?

IheartJKR · 19/08/2020 08:25

Poor op Flowers, I hope you’re ok.

Diceroll · 19/08/2020 08:27

They obviously have an urgency to find your son, you said he was home, and then you are surprised they entered. The mind boggles. And yes, they can.

Bluntness100 · 19/08/2020 08:29

Having a brother who brought police to our door, I’m surprised you’re blaming the police op.

The blame lies in whatever behaviour your son is engaging in that is causing the police to be involved like this.

Ughmaybenot · 19/08/2020 08:31

That sounds very upsetting and I’d be shaken too.
Unfortunately they were, as many other posters have said, within their rights to do this, and I’m sorry that your son has brought this to your door.
I do hope that you’re feeling okay this morning.

DocOfTheBay · 19/08/2020 08:32

A horrible and shocking experience OP and I hope everything turns out OK.

Shocking awakening in the night but In the cold light of day it probably seems more logical that if the risk / emergency is acute enough they can do this without waiting for you to be dressed for receiving visitors.

It was to do with the situation, not personal against you.

I hope all is well with your Ds.

Phbq · 19/08/2020 08:47

I think you will feel less ‘violated’ if you understand and accept why the police searched your house.

Doggodogington · 19/08/2020 09:15

I’m bemused that op’s anger is directed at the police and not her son. If either of my children brought the police to my door I’d be fuming!!
Op obviously knows what kind of character her son is but still aims her frustration at the police. They don’t do it for a laugh and of course it’s legal, how else would they find people suspected of crime? Knock on the door and politely ask them to come out?