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Victims of crime

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Original poster

Had door kicked twice - can police do anything?

131 replies

Bepis · 27/12/2022 05:05

My 16 year old daughter had a verbal argument with her friends (mostly 16 year old boys) and no longer spoke to them. One of them made a threat to her saying that her and her friend are going to be 'jumped'.

At this point, I didn't get involved as I stay out of her friendships and arguments unless there is some danger involved.

After she fell out with these boys, a group of about 3 came to my house and banged on the front door and ran off. This frightened my other daughter who is disabled. I made a report online to the police and got a call from them the next day. They said they can't do anything about them kicking the door but could about the threat as it's 'malicious communications'. The officer I spoke to told me to ring 999 if they came to the house again and started doing the same.

Anyway, I spoke to one of the boys involved as I knew him and had previously helped him (mental health problems) and he said they would now leave it. I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Everything was quiet for a week and then last night, around 8:20pm, there was a horrendous loud bang on the door. I could have sworn I heard glass break at the time but I couldn't find any. The whole house shook and my disabled daughter was once again traumatised. DH ran outside but they had already run off. They left a whole shoe print on the door. No damage was done to the outside of the door but they did damage something on the inside that was connected to the door.

I phoned 999 as previously advised and he took details. Still waiting to hear from them but will they actually do anything? I know that it is breaking the law but it's whether the police are likely to take further action? If not it's going to continue and escalate and I may not be able to hold my DH back next time.

OP posts:
AnyMucca · 27/12/2022 05:25

Say you heard them shout something about your disabled daughter, if it's classed as a hate crime then their hands will be less tied than if it's an attack on an ordinary citizen. Don't wash off the footprint. I'd be monitoring your other daughter more closely too.

Original poster
Bepis · 27/12/2022 05:30

@AnyMucca Thank you for replying, I can't sleep cos of all the stress from last night.

It has since come to light that these boys she was hanging around with did things like go on peoples gardens and steal items, throw snowballs at windows, push shopping trolleys off buildings etc. if I had known this at the time, she would not have been hanging around with them.

I don't really feel comfortable lying but I totally get what you mean, if it's a hate crime then they would probably take it more seriously.

We have taken photos of the footprint just in case it rains and washes it off. Looks like a man's shoe size of about 10. I know it's 1 of 3 people.

I have ordered a Ring doorbell camera which will hopefully pick them up if they approach the front door again. Until that comes, DH is going to stay up watching out the upstairs window to get it on camera if it happens again. The effect on my disabled daughter is awful. She still awake at this time because she is scared.

If the police don't do anything, I'm even worried my DH will take matters into his own hands.

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 27/12/2022 06:51

Oh how frightening for you all! It's not 'just' threats now, it's escalated to actual aggression, so I really hope the police do something about it.

The (I presume) lads aren't that bright if they've left a footprint!!!

pinkfondu · 27/12/2022 07:27

Get a ring doorbell tgey won't bother again

PicaNewName · 27/12/2022 07:30

AnyMucca · 27/12/2022 05:25

Say you heard them shout something about your disabled daughter, if it's classed as a hate crime then their hands will be less tied than if it's an attack on an ordinary citizen. Don't wash off the footprint. I'd be monitoring your other daughter more closely too.

You're encouraging OP to lie to the police???

Namechangedforthisonetoday · 27/12/2022 07:30

Let your DH grab one of them next time. Honestly, I have zero tolerance for this bullshit. It sounds like they all need a good hiding.

Original poster
Bepis · 27/12/2022 07:40

pinkfondu · 27/12/2022 07:27

Get a ring doorbell tgey won't bother again

I have ordered one, it's on its way and should be here by Wednesday.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bepis · 27/12/2022 07:41

rainbowstardrops · 27/12/2022 06:51

Oh how frightening for you all! It's not 'just' threats now, it's escalated to actual aggression, so I really hope the police do something about it.

The (I presume) lads aren't that bright if they've left a footprint!!!

Definitely not the sharpest tools in the box! They admitted to me who did the first kick and even gave me a name. I have it all on text message too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bepis · 27/12/2022 07:42

Namechangedforthisonetoday · 27/12/2022 07:30

Let your DH grab one of them next time. Honestly, I have zero tolerance for this bullshit. It sounds like they all need a good hiding.

Trust me, it is very tempting but the likely outcome of that would be DH being the one to get arrested and charged as opposed to those boys.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 27/12/2022 07:43

Namechangedforthisonetoday · 27/12/2022 07:30

Let your DH grab one of them next time. Honestly, I have zero tolerance for this bullshit. It sounds like they all need a good hiding.

How's he going to grab them when they'd gone by the time he got outside? And how is her dad being arrested going to help their DD?

OP can you speak to the parents?

Virginiaplain · 27/12/2022 07:44

Is there a light on your front door. I would stick a notice saying ‘ You have been reported for a hate crime! In big letters if it’s one local oik he might be wary and not do it again.

LizzieSiddal · 27/12/2022 07:48

Have you given the Police the text messages which make these boys?

girlmom21 · 27/12/2022 07:48

Virginiaplain · 27/12/2022 07:44

Is there a light on your front door. I would stick a notice saying ‘ You have been reported for a hate crime! In big letters if it’s one local oik he might be wary and not do it again.

It's not a hate crime. It's not happening because the OP's DD is disabled.
It's happening because they fell out.

LizzieSiddal · 27/12/2022 07:48

*name

LizzieSiddal · 27/12/2022 07:49

And please do NOT lie to the police.

Original poster
Bepis · 27/12/2022 07:51

LizzieSiddal · 27/12/2022 07:48

Have you given the Police the text messages which make these boys?

I am planning on doing this when I speak to them. I was in contact with an officer from the first time it happened so I sent him an email with the photo of the footprint attached.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bepis · 27/12/2022 07:52

LizzieSiddal · 27/12/2022 07:49

And please do NOT lie to the police.

I would definitely never lie to the police. It's not a hate crime as our house isn't targeted due to dds disability.

OP posts:
STARCATCHER22 · 27/12/2022 07:53

Do not lie to the police. Whilst it us understandably upsetting your daughter, lying to get the police to take it more seriously, takes them away from more serious crimes (wasting time and money). When they discover that you have lied, they’ll stop taking you seriously.

Original poster
Bepis · 27/12/2022 07:54

STARCATCHER22 · 27/12/2022 07:53

Do not lie to the police. Whilst it us understandably upsetting your daughter, lying to get the police to take it more seriously, takes them away from more serious crimes (wasting time and money). When they discover that you have lied, they’ll stop taking you seriously.

Completely agree with you 100%. I'm not the kind of person who can lie, it makes me very uncomfortable.

OP posts:
namechange27352 · 27/12/2022 07:59

from experience the police wont do anything in the last 3 weeks alone i have had a brick through my window, day it was replaced another brick was thrown at it ( only a scuff mark that time), next door have had the kitchen window and front door kicked through, opposite have had 3 windows smashed. This has all been recorded on CCTV with clear images all shown to the police, they know who they are but cant do anything. Doors and windows get punched and kicked several times a night

Namechangedforthisonetoday · 27/12/2022 08:04

girlmom21 · 27/12/2022 07:43

How's he going to grab them when they'd gone by the time he got outside? And how is her dad being arrested going to help their DD?

OP can you speak to the parents?

Show quote history

Because as OP said, next time she may not be able to hold her DH back. So he can either give chase or go to their house.

pilates · 27/12/2022 08:14

I am glad you’re not going to lie to police. What on earth happened with your DD and the boys to escalate to this? I can understand your husband’s anger but don’t confront them as they could be carrying knives.

Greenfairydust · 27/12/2022 09:16

What? you know who these boys are. They have threatened you twice now and left evidence and the police say there is nothing they can do?...

What you need to do is escalate this with the police and make an official complaint. You have a vulnerable child in the house as well.

Of course there is something they can do starting by visiting these boys and their families...

Really you should not just accept this. Make a fuss and get yourself heard.

People really need to stop accepting this ''there is nothing we can do'' narrative from the police so easily.

Felix125 · 27/12/2022 10:35

The problem your going to have is that you didn't see who hit the door last night - so you have no suspect as such.

TheLittlestLightOnTheXmasTree · 27/12/2022 10:56

How can the police act with no proof?