Ex took the kids passports

[Hardheadedwoman39]

My ex was arrested and then bailed to another address. He was allowed back to the house accompanied by a police officer to get his things.
I have just discovered he took the children's passports.
Do I report this?

My EXH had parental responsibility, when I realised he took the children’s passports I called the police who said he had no legal right to take them out of the family home/residence of the children and they came to my house, called him on the phone and ordered him to return them (not to my house) immediately or they’d arrest him. He returned them to the station straight away.

@EverybodyLTB that's really interesting, thank you.

@Theunamedcat Thank you for the support - it is as you say a little more than having issues with him.

No problem! I feel like that little crap anecdote is rarely useful to anyone, so hopefully reassured you that yes you’ve got every right to report and get them back. I would agree also, it did in my case, that it adds to the list of abusive/controlling/worrying behaviours.

I remember thinking that I might be being a bit hysterical and that the police wouldn’t be that shocked, but they used words like unhinged and erratic etc to describe him taking the passports and did seem to take it really seriously.

@EverybodyLTB I think where the is a long history of abuse they can see a pattern and do take it seriously now. Given they asked about items he might take they obviously are aware that this happens in these situations.

My solicitor has asked for them to be returned. Am waiting for a response.

Am going to report to the police as well.

I'd check there's a way to see if they are still 'live' before you try to travel, it's a shame you've mentioned them to him.
I know an ex (mother) who cancelled the passport put of spite, father didn't know until he was turned away at Manchester airport.
Others are right - wherever you can, quietly take back the power, but I know how hard this is after years of CC, you are questioning yourself all the time.
Good luck.

@Helpwhatwouldyoudonext Thank you.

I thought that having the correspondence between the solicitors will help my case as it's all then official.

I'm less concerned about him cancelling them more the control element of it. And I suppose you never know he might randomly try and take them abroad!

@Hardheadedwoman39
But to take them abroad without your help and support would be actual hard work - many of these CC people are very vocal in what YOU'RE not doing 'right', not just to undermine you but also as it's actually how they feel about themselves.
You'll be fine - work hard on reprogramming your brain.
You got this!

My ex took my kids passports when we were divorcing and still in sane house. I was advised there was nothing I could do unless he withheld them when I needed them. He had removed them from our shared residence. I couldn’t reapply as I am not British but I would have if I could have.

Update: I have just had a very late reply from my solicitor (the letter was so outrageous he forwarded it out of hours)

My ex hid the passports behind the headboard of the bed in the main bedroom because 'he was so concerned I would take them out of the jurisdiction'

🤣

What an utter lying nasty arse he is.

It is utterly bizarre and he would have done it when the police escorted him to collected his things

He's cute enough that he didn't take them out of the house. What a lunatic.

I found the passports - also stashed behind the bed was the vehicle ownership documents and log book.

His solicitor sent a long nasty letter (obviously written by him) ranting about lots of irrelevant stuff and the information about where the passports were was almost an afterthought- I think am the solicitor knew this was shit.

Have logged it with the police.

Blimey. He really is a piece of work.

Glad you've reported him for this, OP. Also, great news that you still have them in your home.

@BadHairBae
It is good to have them. Such an odd thing to do. Trying to stop the urge to book a foreign holiday now 😂