Filming abusive neighbours?

[RuthDorset]

Hi all, hope you're well and enjoying the start of a hot bank holiday weekend.

I'm new here and my question is about a mentally-vulnerable young man whom I care for. He lives a few streets away from me. Recently, I went to his home and found a man at the front of his property verbally abusing him. This man was calling him a sex offender and shouting at the top of his voice.

Instinctively, I turned my phone's camera on to record this encounter. My friend was shocked by this behaviour and it turns out this was all over a case of mistaken identity with regard to a dog attack a year before.

However, this person had no right to use such language in the street.

I have previously seen on the internet advice saying it was best to film incidents of abusive neighbours, to collect evidence of their behaviour.

This has distressed my friend very deeply. Imagine a man coming to your home and shouting at the top of his voice that you are a sex offender (when you're not).

I wondered if any of you have had abusive neighbours and whether filming their behaviour has helped or hindered.

The police, interestingly, have warned me not to publish the video footage online as it may inflame things. However, the police say they have given this thug "words of advice" and don't intend to take the matter any further, despite this being a Public Order Offence or a Breach of the Peace.

I am very disappointed by this.

any ideas? I just want to keep my friend safe from this vile bully.

Thanks
Ruth x

There is an online resource called True Vision where you can report this type of hate crime against vulnerable people to your Police Force or through a third party reporting centre.. You can post with your contact details or anonymously. Also check MIND /MENCAP and/or SCOPE website depending on what best suits your young friends vulnerability issues and get some advice / support from them. Thank you Ruth for supporting this vulnerable person.

Is this someone you support in a professional or casual position? you refer to him as someone you care for and a friend in the same post.

The police won't do much for an isolated offence, it's an absolute waste of public money, everyone loses their shit some do in public some don't but whilst he was out of line it's an abusive incident rather than an abusive person if that makes sense. If there was more than one incident with proof then yes it should be followed up. Hopefully he will take the warning to heart.

safeguarding concerns can be raised through the local council if you google "council name adult safeguarding" there will be a form to fill in and then social care will review it.