Do I report this to police?

[smith34]

An interesting incident yesterday, I saw two guys in a white van pull up at my residence block, climb over into my block's storage facility and take various large kitchen units belonging to the residences. I stood at my window on the ground floor wondering what was going on, and they saw me watching them, one of the guys ran up to my window and knocked on it whilst shouting abuse at me as he realised I witnessed the theft.

I'm a little concerned about contacting the police on this one because if I report it to the police surely they will know exactly who reported them and they already know where I live. I've just been worried they will return.

An odd forum to ask such a question, but it's concerning me.

 

[vernon]

It's your call.

 

[Stephenite]

Do you have any useful information? Reg no. and description of van. Distinguishing features of the individuals. Video evidence. Something incriminating?

If so, report it. If you get any reprisals you tell the villains you haven't said a word, and it'd be stupid to, blah, blah.

Move to a place where you would like your children to grow up.

 

[Night Train]

Many years ago, about 25 years or so, I was woken up on a Sunday morning by the sound of a van reving up and banging into to something.
I looked out my window and saw a white Transit van reversing into a brick wall on a council estate. Eventually the wall came down and the men in the van started throwing the bricks into the van.

I phoned the Police immediately and gave then a runnign commentry as they closed in on the men and then came in cars closing off all exits.

It turned out that the men were sub contractors working for a council contractor doing a demolision job on the cheap.

Was I sorry to call the Police out? Nope. Were the Police conccerned that I had wasted their time? Nope.

It is only through being a bit nosy and reporting stuff that is out of the ordinary and looks illegal that occasionally the criminals get caught. The 'honest' sub contractors were a little put out but were not charged with doing their paid job.
I've never minded the Police checking that I was legitimately doing something, at least they checked.

I have continued to report any dodgy activity where I can though I have given up pursuing criminals myself as they are now usually armed.

 

[growingvegetables]

It happened yesterday? Then I'm guessing the losses have already been spotted and reported - it won't be news to the police.

Guessing again, the thieves at your window were interested in dissuading you from making an immediate 999 call?

Could be that you've got some information that would help the police track these guys down?

I'd contact the police - and be quite open about how intimidated you felt.

Aye - but I HAVE AN INTEREST. 5 years of the proverbial "neighbours from hell", and I sincerely wish that some of the other neighbours had spoken up, complained, borne witness ... instead of allowing themselves to be bullied/intimidated into silence. NOT a happy place to be - for us, or the neighbours hoping for a quiet life.

 

[smith34]

Do you have any useful information? Reg no. and description of van. Distinguishing features of the individuals. Video evidence. Something incriminating?

If so, report it. If you get any reprisals you tell the villains you haven't said a word, and it'd be stupid to, blah, blah.

Move to a place where you would like your children to grow up.

I have a video, registration plate, vehicle company name, description of theives and times.
I will report it.

It happened yesterday? Then I'm guessing the losses have already been spotted and reported - it won't be news to the police.

Guessing again, the thieves at your window were interested in dissuading you from making an immediate 999 call?

Could be that you've got some information that would help the police track these guys down?

I'd contact the police - and be quite open about how intimidated you felt.

Aye - but I HAVE AN INTEREST. 5 years of the proverbial "neighbours from hell", and I sincerely wish that some of the other neighbours had spoken up, complained, borne witness ... instead of allowing themselves to be bullied/intimidated into silence. NOT a happy place to be - for us, or the neighbours hoping for a quiet life.

The reason I didn't call the police immediately, and I regret doing so, was because I found the ordeal quite scary and the last thing I wanted was for them to return. I still feel a bit unsafe here now, I just kind of thought keeping quiet and not contacting the police would give them no reason to return.

I've only just moved to Camberwell, never really experienced any form of crime before. But I will definately contact the police, do you think it is worth contacting their employer also? I do have the company name written down.

 

[growingvegetables]

The reason I didn't call the police immediately, and I regret doing so, was because I found the ordeal quite scary and the last thing I wanted was for them to return. I still feel a bit unsafe here now, I just kind of thought keeping quiet and not contacting the police would give them no reason to return.

Hey - no worries; been there.

do you think it is worth contacting their employer also? I do have the company name written down.

No. Leave it to the police. If nothing else, the van could well be a TWOC.

 

[Slim]

I've only just moved to Camberwell...

I grew up in Camberwell. I got the flock out of there at the very first opportunity. I just had too many nights going to sleep listening to sirens going up and down Camberwell Church Street.

Have a look a bit further up the road, Champion Hill's OK (loads of very nice nurses around if you fall off your bike ).

 

[Lard Armstrong]

Yes, report it.

1) Someone else might have seen the reg number and details, etc and reported it.
2) Your information could be valuable.
3) They're thieving scum, and as such more concerned with doing more of the same than showing up at one of their crime scenes.
4) The Police are very understanding and can advise you.

Take care.