Worried about neighbours child...advice needed!

[foxing]

I live with my baby son and partner in a semi detached house. Next door is rented and last year a young (early 20s) couple moved in with their little daughter who is now 2. The problem is that they're pretty awful people and they scream (literally SCREAMING from both parents) and swear at the 2 year old on a very regular basis "you f little s. You're f winding me up, get up the f* stairs" is the one we've just heard but it's always similarly nasty. I don't know if they're physically abusive but the verbal abuse is bad enough.
To make matters worse, in the past few weeks the smell of marijuana has been coming through the floor into our house several times a day and lots of very unsavioury looking people have been coming and going at all hours. It's an old house full of gaps in the floor boards but they must smoke a mountain of the stuff for it to be seeping through so strongly. We've used sealant in our floorboards and skirting which seems to have stopped it, but still, it makes me worry for the little girl even more.
So, what do I do? I see no use in trying to talk to them and the guy has a history of violence with an electonic tag to show for it. I could contact social services annonymously but surely they'd put 2 and 2 together and know it was us?!

Sometimes you have to put your fears to one side and do the right thing. In this case, calling social services. An electronic tag means he's out on licence so if he put 2 and 2 together and threatened you, he'd be put inside. OTOH the worse that could happen to this little one is that they hurt themselves because they're being neglected by wasted parents, are harmed by tag-boy or one of the 'unsavoury' visitors, or develop psychological problems from being screamed at all the time.

I agree with Cognito! You have to call SS. If you didn't and something did happen to that child then you would never forgive yourself!

You are right to think about your own safety too. I really agree that talking to them directly is a bad idea. The absolute last thing this couple will want is any attention from the law or SS. Also, your proximity means you could feel very vulnerable indeed after reporting them. I would definitely call SS, you have a civil and moral duty, but I would make sure your remain totally anonymous and that you both have an agreed plan of action regarding what to do, say etc... if there is any confrontation. Get a direct line to your neighbourhood police officer! There's the possibility that there are other drugs involved rather than just grass, (doesn't it usually make people less aggressive???) and pragmatically maybe the quickest way to get him removed from the situation is by getting him arrested for the drugs / dealing etc..? Perhaps it would give the mother a better chance in bringing up the kid, perhaps not.............but you will have done the right thing.

I have had neighbours with the same problem (rows till small hours and hearing fights), We did ring SS, In the long run it did help because they helped the mum get rid of a violent father (neighbour had holes punched through doors, he had also attacked neighbours child).

With people coming round lot, obviously they could be dealing and that is a matter for the police. they probably lack interpersonal skills hence the fighting but as there are kids involved you really do need to contact ss, emotionaland verbal abuse is just as damaging as physical abuse.

Call the police next time you hear shouting or smell marijuana. Don't think twice about it - they will go and look and find out what's happening. I don't know if they would refer to SS themselves, but at least you would have done something.

The thing is, no one likes to interfere in other people's lives, but SS and the police exist for a reason. Let them decide if they should be involved but don't feel bad about blowing the whistle - and deny all knowledge if they ask if you did.

Hi I'm not well up on it but there is such a thing as child safeguarding and the if the police are called they are obliged to let them know as are social services. Im pretty sure members of the public can be anonymous in reporting and the safeguarding lot can remove a child if they feel they are at risk. Like I say not 100% sure how it works but maybe someone on here is.

Another way to report it totally anonymously would be to refer via the NSPCC website. They have a section on there for reporting concerns via an online form & then the NSPCC contact the relevant social services team themselves. It's just another layer of anonymity which may make you feel more comfortable about doing what needs to be done.