Found two guys about to break into my neighbours car at 4am. What would you have done?

Posted by GiGGLED420@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 349 comments

Yep this happened this morning, just seeing what others would do in this situation. Fully story: Dropped my partner at the airport this morning and got home at 4:30am. Pulled into my residential carpark shared with about 10 cars. Reversing into my space I saw a guy walking out from next to my neighbours car in the reverse camera, thought it was my neighbour. Got into the space and realised he was walking out to the road and saw another guy following him out holding a metal bar, both had gloves and masks on. What I did: Dialled 101 from my car, and sat there for about 10 seconds. Drove back out to the road, partly to see if they were getting into a car so I could get a plate, partly because I didn’t want to get out if they were still close. Drove around for a few minutes and didn’t see them, went back to my space. Got inside, phone to the police is still ringing, eventually gave up after about 15 minutes and went to bed. Traded some sleep for imaginary fighting them for for a bit. Kicked lots of ass to be fair. Was this all the right thing to do? Would you have done things differently? Should I tell my neighbour? Should I still report it to the police?

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349 Comments

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WeakComplaint4926@reddit

Call the police?

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EasyPriority8724@reddit

Erm, come straight on reddit and ask for a policeman!

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Difficult-Cup-4445@reddit

Since this is England, the best advice I can give you is to offer up your girlfriend/wife/female relatives, apologise profusely for interrupting them, and then hand over your wallet and any other valuables you have on you. Also make sure to not report it to the police as they are busy with Twitter and other thoughtcrimes.

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RaspberryWonderful16@reddit

Sometimes it’s best to just stand at a reasonable distance and scream at them. Same thing happened when I saw somebody trying to cut the lock off a neighbours garage. I just started screaming bloody murder at them from behind my gate and they took off like a bat out of hell. They run off so fast they even left their burgling equipment in situ

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Useful_Engineer_6122@reddit

That’s a 999 call. I honestly think people are too shy about calling 999 these days.

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0235@reddit

No it's not. I called 999 on someone being assaulted by 3 people. On the ground they were being kicked again and again. Then the operator asked me if they were moving, and when they got up I said yes, and they said "ok it's not an emergency any more, there is nothing more we can do, you will have to hang up"

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Flavourifshrrp@reddit

I am sure many years ago it was in one of the local U.K. rags that a single old lady or man had been broken in to and the police said they had no one available. Approx the same night and time Cilla Black in her big house reported a break in and they had four police cars and a helicopter there. This wasn’t Cillas fault of course, but just funny.

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Useful_Engineer_6122@reddit

The forces’ own guidelines would make that a 999 call. Whether they have the resources at that time is another matter.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

You’d think that but i called 999 last time i caught someone committing a crime, was taking to the operator and said they’d just run off and then the operator literally told me as they’re no longer committing the crime it’s not urgent and in the future to call 101

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Useful_Engineer_6122@reddit

“ an offender has just been disturbed at the scene” Seems to cover that. Anyway, in this case the OP still had sight of them. Given I make an average of 1 999 call a decade, I’d be inclined to use my own judgement. It seems unlikely I’ll get enough black marks for a wasting police time charge.

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triptip05@reddit

Police officer here. That is Def a 999 call. If an operator tells you otherwise. Tell them to transfer you to a supervisor and get the id of both.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea I’m that call i kinda just got stunned and hanged up. Never would have expected to be told threatening someone with a knife wasn’t serious lol

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Maidwell@reddit

Just because that one time you had a terrible experience, doesn't mean you just disregard 999 as your go to number for crimes in progress. You absolutely SHOULD have called 999.

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Jazzlike_Rabbit_3433@reddit

You jest, right? Operators literally interrogate you to find a reason not to attend. Then if they do attend it’s Nobby Plod who are a full on masterclass in why they are not going to do anything. I could give numerous examples.

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Fusas5394@reddit

If it were me I'd've pursued on foot and karate chopped them, bundled them into the car and delivered them to the local fuzz.

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nope-pasaran@reddit

You jest but my friend had her car broken into and the neighbour saw them and did actually pursue them on foot for 20 minutes and got all her stuff back. Absolute hero.

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oldspicehorse@reddit

Well you say this but an old manager of mine chased after some shoplifters, did he get the stuff back? No , he got a smack in a mouth and a hearty chuckle from all the staff.

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EmperorRosa@reddit

The difference being that you should never be chasing after the property of a billionaire capitalist. Mugging is a bit different IMO

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oldspicehorse@reddit

Touché

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maggiemayfish@reddit

When I was a teenager and working in retail a supervisor got stabbed for chasing after a shoplifter.

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oldspicehorse@reddit

Yeah this is why we all got trained not to challenge or go after shoplifters. This one manager had a huge ego and was on a power trip, used to be the kind of manager to chew you out if you turned up 30 seconds late for a shift starting at 05:30, turns out all it took was a smack head putting him on his arse to bring him down a peg or two.

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Over_Bend_9839@reddit

Pretty harsh of the staff to smack him in the mouth. I hope there wasn’t too many of them.

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icemonsoon@reddit

Not quite the same situation

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Resident-Stevel@reddit

Got woken by the ex mother in law years ago; I was staying at my exes and someone was stealing my car. I threw on a jumper (and nothing else) and chased them down the street until they ran off. Pretty sure it was my half nakedness that scared them off...

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nine16@reddit

i would've done the exact same thing, but loudly exclaimed 'KARATE' as i delivered those precise chops. but idk that's just me personally, we're just built different i guess

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Quasar9111@reddit

dont forget to snap their little toes sideways

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Novel_Individual_143@reddit

Oh me too. I think I’d’ve worn cream flares and a burgundy leather jacket.

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Geoffstibbons@reddit

Absolute style icon

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LHommeCrabbe@reddit

And then you'd guard them for the resto of the night ;D

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dsidnt@reddit

No need to be a dick. He’s a police officer, presumably he doesn’t make a lot of 999 calls, how would he know?

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Jazzlike_Rabbit_3433@reddit

Because he’s part of the problem. The only one being a dock is the one lacking objectivity. That’s you, mate.

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SC_PapaHotel@reddit

Also a cop here. This isn't quite true -- there's nothing in law requiring the call handler to ID themselves but almost every force has a policy requiring someone calling to be transferred on request if they feel they aren't being taken seriously. All 999/101 calls are recorded. If they refuse ID and hang up on you, you can file a complaint and a separate department (professional standards) or an inspector/chief inspector will review the call and take appropriate action.

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pointlesstips@reddit

And we all know that Police are soooo diligent and unbiased when investigating complaints about themselves.

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SneakyFcknRusky@reddit

Then pass it onto IOPC or PIRC

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ImBonRurgundy@reddit

99 service is not the police - they are all civilians

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jumpingjackbeans@reddit

999 calls gets passed to the police. The call handlers are usually civilians but they are employed directly by the local police force. And for my two pennies - I'm not an operator but if someone saw a male with a knife or a theft in progress that is definitely fine on 999, even if they ran off a minute or two ago. It's very case specific though, individual circumstances might mean they ask you to hang up and ring 101. And, more pertinent to this specific thread, some operators are shit at their jobs

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Practical-Custard-64@reddit

...after about 6 years. Meanwhile, the crook that the police force didn't want to know about is still on the loose.

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Jazzlike_Rabbit_3433@reddit

Oh no, at some point the Nobby Plod catch him by pure fluke, or he happens to rob one of their own. Then they do him a deal to take into account many previous offences and alleviate the stats making the Nobby Plod look less bad. Meanwhile, they’re on here spouting utter bollocks and laughing about cake fines.

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Jazzlike_Rabbit_3433@reddit

So, 6 weeks later you get a faux apology with no action taken. You’re talking utter bollocks.

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ImBonRurgundy@reddit

I called 999 a few weeks ago when I saw what I thought was the house opposite being broken into (turns out it was the guys son breaking a window as he forgot his key - what a fucking idiot) Anyway, I called, it was answered quickly, told them I saw someone breaking into a house and they went inside but I didn't know if they were still there or not. (part of the house was blocked from my view) 3 police ars on the scene within about 5 minutes, including a K9 unit.

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imp0ppable@reddit

Glad to hear the police still fly to a house if they think a burglary is in progress - we didn't break a window but something similar happened to me and a mate when we were teenagers. He had to show the police family photos to prove he lived there....

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burgeremoji@reddit

I called 999 last year as a neighbour with mental health problems was kicking off and threatened to kill me. They said ‘is he threatening you right now’ and I said no, it was about 2 minutes ago. They said ‘I guess we will send somebody out’ …. and they never turned up 🤣 A few weeks later I had a water leak from upstairs and they wouldn’t answer their door at 1am. I called 101 being like I dunno who else to call but they are actively flooding my flat and it’s coming through the light fittings - 8 police officers plus 2 fire turned up for that one.

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Cautious_Mirror_3182@reddit

under no circumstances would I call 999, I would be too embarrassed

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Useful_Engineer_6122@reddit

Let them find reasons. You’re alerting them to a situation, they decide how to deal with it.

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Jazzlike_Rabbit_3433@reddit

Found the PCSO.

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Waste-Ad4797@reddit

Former 999 call-handler here, you would never transfer a supervisor on to your call in any instance, that's not what they're there for.

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Askduds@reddit

It’s id 1 through infinity

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SuggestionWrong504@reddit

The emergency can wait, transfer me to your supervisor so I can make a formal complaint first.

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Entire-Display-5700@reddit

I had someone break into my car. Well known to the police in my area. Despite dash cam, CCTV from my house and neighbours over the road. Police said it’s not worth there time and can’t see his face properly which was bullshit. Same bloke robbed a British Gas van couple streets over, zero fucks given just all over Facebook. I give up with police.

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TinyDemon000@reddit

Former police dispatcher here. They go thru to the exact same person, its just 9's calls jump the Q. The fact they said to end the call and call back on 101, with a chance of getting the exact same calltaker again, is an abomination. Don't be shy about calling 999 but my understanding is the UK is lacking staff across the board now (i jumped ship overseas a decade ago) so the calls are stacking a fair bit now. Either way, well done for actually doing something and not just putting your head down and ignoring it. You should be genuinely proud of yourself. Not many people still do that 😊

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Tao626@reddit

By the operators logic, it's no longer a 999 emergency if a guy has stopped stabbing somebody to death, it's a non emergency 101 issue as they're no longer committing the murder.

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LPL09@reddit

You joke but we had a hanging body on a prime tree in a park full of dog walkers for nearly 12 hours, about 5 people I know of rang 999 and at least 2 got told it wasn't an emergency, maybe they were later on and they were sick of hearing about it. Was apparently some bizarre excuse about needing fire and police plus coroner, but until all 3 were available at the same time none wanted to bother coming down.

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BeatificBanana@reddit

In this case that didn't apply though, did it? Because the thieves were right there, within your eyeline, whilst you would have been on the phone to 999? They hadn't left the scene?

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

No they had left, i called as they were leaving the car park and a soon as i drove back out they had disappeared. All this within about 15 seconds of spotting them

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Grizzally@reddit

I had a similar situation. I called 999 when 4 guys were breaking into my Neighbours garden. Got told to knock on the Neighbors and let them know. Next time, call 101. I said just drive by in a police car, it will scare them off, they gave me a crime report number and never saw heard anything again. I knocked on my Neighbors and let them know, they called the police and said "Unless they threaten you, we won't send anyone". My neighbour cool as a cucumber said, "yeah they brandished knives'. Police were there in 4mins.

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Acceptable-Clue-1541@reddit

Masks and gloves is a 999 jobber man.

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MMSTINGRAY@reddit

It's still a 999 call, the police are just shit.

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nwtempo@reddit

Call 999 and follow from a safe enough distance. Even on foot or by car. Forces the hand of local officers to come and grab the culprits

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea unfortunately i lost sight of them as soon as they got out onto the road

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dowhileuntil787@reddit

I actually had physically detained someone who burgled me, and they still said it wasn't an emergency so they weren't going to send anyone. Had to just let them go. Briefly considered taking them to a police station but remembered they've closed all my nearby stations.

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petrastales@reddit

In your example in the post weren’t they in the process of committing the crime? I would call 999 in all instances of active danger to life or property to improve the likelihood of capture and then if they direct me to another service then I would respect that

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ChickenBoonDoggle@reddit

Next time report it as hare coursing and they'll be there within minutes!

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FatBloke4@reddit

Having left, the thieves would be in possession of the stolen property and the tools they were using to break into the car, so "going equipped" => crimes were still being committed.

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Askduds@reddit

Going equipped is just one of the technically a crime ones they use to arrest someone they can’t yet prove did something they don’t actually care

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

I don’t think they actually got into the car though. Looks to me like they were trying to steal the car itself as it’s pretty commonly stolen (mk 7 fiesta st)

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FatBloke4@reddit

OK but whatever they had been using to try to break into the car would mean they were "going equipped" ([Theft Act 1968, Section 25](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/25))

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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

That operator would get a mouth full sarcasm from me "oh, so by that logic. I'll go get my baseball and cave his head in, coz as long as I walk away before anyone calls the police...the crime is over and I get off Scott free, sweet. Gonna go steal some ipads from Curries later and get away with it. Coz as long as get outside, I'm no longer in the middle of committing a crime. Thanks for the tip"

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eairy@reddit

There's a problem of metal thieves locally, they patrol the area nicking anything metal that's not nailed down. Saw them stealing from my neighbours front garden, so I called 101. The operator got really snooty with me and told me my neighbour probably paid them to take the stuff away. They're just not interested in low level crime, they don't have the resources anymore.

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Fabolosoooooo@reddit

more resources than ever. Less interest in doing the job because paperwork

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MrPoletski@reddit

yes tell him that's it's fine, you can just shoot them and the police can come see you after and hang up immediately. Then when the armed police arrive say 'yeah, shoot them, on my camera' and show them the pictures you took. Disclaimer: this might actually be a bad idea.

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FatBloke4@reddit

When my house was burgled and I was calling 999 from my neighbour's house, I could tell they were uninterested. I said, "OK, I'm going into the house now and I have a kitchen knife.". The operator said "Are they still there?". I replied "I don't know but I'm going in" and hung up. The police were there within 2 minutes. The update to that story was, the police didn't do much but I asked the local kids who they knew from school who might be involved in burglaries. They gave a name and I passed it to the police. It turned out this kid was involved, he grassed up the rest of them and the police solved six burglaries (but didn't get any of my stuff back).

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ChairmanSunYatSen@reddit

Nah its a great idea.

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brizellad1883@reddit

I'd call anyway it's there decision to make. I've seen enough traffic cops to know these tips do catch people. Maybe more so if there is a camera crew with them, sad of true.

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BibbleBeans@reddit

When there’s an element of “I can’t believe they didn’t answer my call to the non emergency number quickly” when they’re phoning about an emergency you do just lose faith in people slightly.

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Scr1mmyBingus@reddit

I found a guy unconscious in the street a few months ago, phoned 999 and after a few minutes of being on hold I got through to the Ambulance services fucking *voicemail* The 999 operator asked me to keep trying. This country has been run into the bloody ground by cunts.

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Possible-Highway7898@reddit

I called 999 earlier this year after breaking a bone in my foot, completely unable to walk. The operator told me that if my life wasn't in danger they wouldn't send an ambulance.

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Shushyabullshit@reddit

That’s because you’re only supposed to ring 999 if there’s an immediate risk to life.

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Outrageous-Falcon-22@reddit

So how do you call an ambulance where you need to help to be moved ... I.e. can't get a taxi?

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Over_Bend_9839@reddit

You call a friend or you just ask the taxi driver to help you. I’ve snapped my heal bone in half on the top of a mountain at night in the middle of winter. I asked for help and people carried me off the mountain, then drove me to A&E. My life would only have been in danger had I been alone. Given the ubiquity of mobile phones, there will always be someone you can call when you’re in need of help but have limited mobility(a broken metatarsal in your foot is not going to stop you hopping to the front door and opening it). Call a taxi next time, have them take you to A&E. Leave the ambulances for the poor folks who have just had a stroke or a heart attack.

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imp0ppable@reddit

Right but if you're bleeding then a taxi won't take you.

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Useful_Engineer_6122@reddit

There’s an NHS non-emergency number which would put you in a non-urgent queue, I think. God knows how long you’d be waiting.

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Winter_Copy_8255@reddit

That’s 111, who put you in touch with a local health board who will call you back- I’ve used them loads and it varies but they’ve always been great when I’ve been seen. What the other comment is suggesting I think would be more serious but still not life or death and you’d be encouraged to try and make your own way in or you can wait on an ambulance but it wont be priority

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Winter_Copy_8255@reddit

You can ask for an ambulance but you might be waiting a lot longer. My friend broke his knee and for various reasons didn’t want to/couldn’t get a taxi so they recommended he make himself as comfortable as possible and an ambulance would be with him when it was available ie when there wasn’t a threat to life ongoing at the same time. It took a few hours as this was a Saturday night. You might be waiting much longer, that’s luck of the draw

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Even_Pressure91@reddit

That really isn't worth an ambulance tho

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emersonhardisty@reddit

few years ago i came off my bicycle, open head wound, broken collarbone and entirety of the left side of my body grazed. passer by called 999 and was told if i wanted an ambulance it'd be a 6 hour wait. this was about 10am on a sunday morning. an off duty nurse stopped in her car and made me a sling from a towel in her car and took me to the hospital herself.

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girlandglove@reddit

A friend of mine (age 27) quite literally died while in a queue waiting for 999 to pick up.

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BibbleBeans@reddit

Okay that’s probably more to do with the average length of a call paired with the number they’re reviving across the different emergency services. Police control aren’t going to have to be instructing someone on how to do CPR or delivery a baby while waiting on a big yellow van to become available whereas ambulance control will.

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Scr1mmyBingus@reddit

That will surely be a great comfort to someone who baby is turning blue.

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BibbleBeans@reddit

This is a discussion about the police emergency v non emergency contact anyway. You’re slightly off track

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Scr1mmyBingus@reddit

This isn’t helped by the fact I appear to have replied to the wrong comment as well.

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magicalthinker@reddit

15-minutes isn't just not answering quickly?

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BibbleBeans@reddit

It’s 4:30am in this example why would a non urgent number be manned at that hour.

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magicalthinker@reddit

Of course it's manned. It's 24/7.

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BibbleBeans@reddit

Manned by multiple people to facilities taking numerous calls then. It’s non urgent. It can wait until the civilian staff are in.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

You’d think that but i called 999 last time i caught someone committing a crime, was taking to the operator and said they’d just run off and then the operator literally told me as they’re no longer committing the crime it’s not urgent and in the future to call 101

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BibbleBeans@reddit

Those guys were definitely going to be trying their luck elsewhere just without an obvious witness about. Sometimes you’ve got too embellish to ensure timely action is taken. Say they’re actively trying doors along whatever street or such.

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Lessarocks@reddit

I wouldn’t embellish because if it comes to a court case, you’re going to perjure yourself if you’re called as a witness.

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LordTurner@reddit

There's steps between making a call and being called upon in court to deliver a witness testimony. Including giving a witness statement. Of course there's different degrees of embellishment, but they're not going to rely upon the your call as evidence without a witness statement, (which you should not embellish upon). Not saying you should embellish the call, but a court case won't rely upon it without getting your version of events.

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Lessarocks@reddit

OK but the point is that you’re going to have to continue to lie or retract your original allegation. Either way, it’s not great.

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LordTurner@reddit

Aye, agreed. I think someone saying "okay, I'll go in and tell them to bugger off" and hanging up the phone when you're going to wait outside in the car, is very different to "there's 8 of them with guns" when there's 2 with pipes, resulting in an armed response and someone getting shot. Again, I don't recommend any of it, but the latter would be stupid and it would be extra stupid to then continue to lie, but the lie would almost certainly be seen through way, way, way before any court case went ahead. But yes, it would jeopardise the case and almost certainly land you in hot water yourself. The former would likely get you a telling off too however, and as I say, I don't recommend any of it.

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daftsquirrel@reddit

I called 999 for police as I needed to break into a property on welfare check, they said to call 101. I said sorry, will do and the guy on the other end said not to worry as he was on that line too!

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Astrokiwi@reddit

The frustrating thing is that there's no middle ground between "this can wait a week" and "this needs to be dealt with literally this second" - similar to doctor's appointments really. If there's a break-in and you weren't around, you'd want the police to come the same day, but they don't need to be there within 10 minutes.

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3between20characters@reddit

I think if you call 999 they tell you to call 111, and if you call 111 they tell you call 999. You're best off calling the Samaritans, at least someone will answer and listen to you if you call them.

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girlandglove@reddit

When a man was trying to jimmy open my living room window with some sort of crowbar type tool at 3am, while I – a 23yo female alone, cower under my bed with a kitchen knife – was told by 999 they can't send anyone has he hasn't gained access to the property *yet*.

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Space_Cadet36@reddit

I find 999's response literally unbelievable! I'm sorry you had to go through that.

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PurpleSpaceWhale@reddit

I called 999 when my downstairs neighbour was threatening me and smashing at the ceiling and then my flat door and screaming obscenities and threatening to harm me. The operator told me matter of factly that as I was 'safe' in my flat it wasn't an emergency and they weren't sending anyone out. I was terrified he was going to break through and I'd have no where to go as I'm on the top floor. Not knowing what to do I called my dad to plead with him to help me get out and away or something and it ended up he called 999 and told them that he would be suing the police force if he turns up and my neighbour has hurt me. That got their attention and they sent people out. I was terrified. If the police hadn't turned up eventually I don't know how far he would have gone.

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Ok-Cut-2730@reddit

"Right im getting a blade, im going to open the door and slit his throat as i don't feel safe" Police will be round instantly. Or "im watching a football stream online" Police will be round instantly.

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34Mbit@reddit

In situations like this, this cheat-code is to "hate crime" your report. Tell them the people outside are threatening you based on a protected characteristic and they'll send multiple officers. Lots of forces these days list hate crimes as their number one priority, and behave accordingly.

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Hatpar@reddit

People literally phone about people smashing up their snowman. The problem is underfunding. There are not enough police, let alone enough people to take the calls.

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toferino@reddit

I don’t think it’s shyness. It’s more that these days it seems utterly pointless. I’ve called 999 recently after a shop was being broken into. The handler couldn’t have been less interested. Very huffy and impatient, like a stroppy teenager. She took my details and said someone will get back to me. I got a call 3 days later asking for a statement. I said I won’t bother. It’ll just get stuck on file for nobody to do anything with ever. I’d already been to see the shop owners to tell them that I’d witnessed it and what response the police had given.

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mileswilliams@reddit

No threat to life, no immediate threat to anyone's health. Not 999.

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XiiMoss@reddit

How is it not? Lancs police beg to differ https://www.lancashire.police.uk/faqs/contacting-the-police/what-do-the-police-class-as-an-emergencywhen-can-i-call-999/#:~:text=danger%20to%20life,serious%20damage%20to%20property

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mileswilliams@reddit

They are walking away for a start.

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XiiMoss@reddit

“an offender has just been disturbed at the scene” covers the walking away.

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mileswilliams@reddit

Valid point I read the bullet points. 999 it is then.

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Useful_Engineer_6122@reddit

See, that’s what I mean. 101 is a great and necessary addition, but people have got the idea it’s only to be used if you’ve seen the knife actually go in. Sure, they won’t do anything a lot of the time. But you don’t know if they’re already looking for these folk, or if there happens to be a car round the corner.

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JohnCasey3306@reddit

999 operator will let you know in no uncertain terms it's _not_ a 999 call

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Useful_Engineer_6122@reddit

Did you miss an “if” or do you think seeing two people you suspect are criminals equipped for crime is a 101 call?

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811545b2-4ff7-4041@reddit

Yep, I cringed when I saw 101 .. that's not for 'serious crime underway', plus they can take ages to answer those calls. This was a 999 call definitely.

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JennyW93@reddit

I used to live next door to a primary school and rang 999 when I saw three/four people trying to break in a window. Operator told me to call 101 because, since it was the middle of the night, there was no risk to life so it wasn’t an emergency. I subsequently have absolutely no idea what constitutes an emergency police call

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Askduds@reddit

“Police officer being slightly inconvenienced” is a 999, anything else you’re on your own.

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811545b2-4ff7-4041@reddit

I've called 101 a few times for stuff - sometimes funny, and they've been good but took forever to answer the phone. A few times.. 1. Saw a man on a racing bike riding on the hard-shoulder of the M25 2. Saw a horse running down a road 3. A pipe had burst in a road and it was spurting up at a junction.. i thought the risk to traffic was relevant - 101 told me to phone the water company instead. That took forever and I'm not bothering next time. For a break-in I'd be right onto 999

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Razorwireboxers@reddit

For incidents 3 and 4 you'd be best off calling the local highways department. Well usually it would be a call centre on the local authority contact number who will log the incident and pass it onto their highways department. For an incident like number 3 they would then probably promptly send out an inspector/engineer and deal with it. And an incident like number 4 they would contact the local water company who, if they are like the one round here, probably do fuck all for ages, but would probably take it more seriously as the report would be from highways rather than a member of the public.

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811545b2-4ff7-4041@reddit

But who knows the phone number for highways! I think 101 patched me through anyway for 3. To their credit, Thames water were on site within a few hours for 4, but it took a week to properly fix the junction.

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Razorwireboxers@reddit

Yeah I suppose you'd need to know which local authority area you were in when you called. If you know which it was a quick google would find the LA number and it would be way quicker, well at least round here it would, than first dialling 101.

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Askduds@reddit

You do it for anything other than then literally bathing someone’s face off and you get lectured

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dbe14@reddit

Not shy rather not seeing the point, most of the time they won't send anyone and just want to give you a crime number. Guy in my town turned up to his shop and found 2 guys had broken in and were looting the place, he stayed in his car and called 999, the police showed up 15 hours later long after they had gone.

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palmerama@reddit

Hah! Good luck.

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ShiteCrack@reddit

100% a 999 call.

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Schplargledoink@reddit

Found a bloke choking on his own vomit in Islington, every time he regained consciousness he became very aggressive to the people trying to help him. The Police station was a 30 second walk away so I went in for help, 'We're too busy' I was told 'but he could choke to death and he's lashing out at those helping him' I reply, 'Call 999' he says, 'I shouldn't have to if I'm in a Police station' I reply, So I go outside to phone 999 just as a car full of coppers turn up, So I explain everything again to the coppers and again I'm told we're too busy, even though they could see the bloke. So I phone 999 and ask for the Police, the idiot who took the call started to berate me for requesting the Police even though I told him he was aggressive and attacking people, this went on for way too long and I just shouted 'Fine! let him fucking die then!' and hung up. I literally spent about 30 minutes pleading for assistance that never came. So it's no wonder thieves are so brazen and a kid gets stabbed to death every week, as there simply aren't enough Police.

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Reynaudthefox@reddit

Thats just plain fucked up what the operator said to you. Imagine calling them about a rape or murder "Oh, my bad - they just finished raping the girl (the the guy is dead already), so Ima gonna hang up and call the right number"

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joeohyesjoe@reddit

Ring back the operator tell them two guys have been bashed by you no need to come over as they've run off so no crime was committed

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daddy-thro-away@reddit

Step out the car, remove trousers, keep shoes on. Ask them which one wants it first and when they run, chase them, bet you’re glad you kept your shoes on now. When you corner them, fuck them into submission. Then, steal their car. Got to start coming down harder on these fools.

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MiuraSerkEdition@reddit

This it's why i don't break into cars anymore. The steaks are too high

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Khaine19@reddit

Do you like them medium or well-done?

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MiuraSerkEdition@reddit

Medium rare, but now I see what I've done. Thanks

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Burning_Ranger@reddit

More of a waterfall and less of a spring brook eh?

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vanadlen@reddit

Came here to say “shag them”. Glad you beat me to it.

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CongealedBeanKingdom@reddit

Dangerous game. Do we know OP is a fella?

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TheImplication696969@reddit

The Andy Bobandy technique, love it!!!

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Jamin881@reddit

This is strangely very specific. Have you had to handle this situation before?

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Uelele115@reddit

Just an extension of the advice to sleep naked, really…

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spaceyjase@reddit

They removed their shoes last time

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willuminati91@reddit

Well, is he the Daddy.

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Jamin881@reddit

Daddy Chill…

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TokyoJones85@reddit

What the hell is even that?

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kayzgguod@reddit

😭😂😂😂 fuck them into submission wtf

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peaccc@reddit

This is the way

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aveirodog@reddit

This made me cum

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IrreverentRacoon@reddit

Don't threaten me with a good time

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dugerz@reddit

I shouted out of my window "are you moving on now mate?" He moved on and called me a dick head

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PeterNakamoto@reddit

How do you feel about your neighbour?

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ElixSkipper@reddit

You made me smile at the sleep fighting part. I’m glad somebody else does that too.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Gotta show those punks who’s boss! (In my head)

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Wormwolf-Prime@reddit

Upvote for the imaginary fighting

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challasaurus@reddit

I really enjoyed that part of the story!

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

We’ve all been there

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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

Just this morning a beat the crap out of a gang of a half dozen chavvy teenagers who were harassing a trans teenager. For clarity, there wasn't a gang of chavvy teens and I don't if the person I saw was trans or not

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sickntwisted@reddit

you just care for justice, no matter who's the victim

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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

If I had to imaginary beat the crap out of every man, woman and child in the name of justice, I'd say "no problems kemosabe"

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rdmprzm@reddit

Lol yup! Bet there was some sweet action.

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Suspicious_Decapod@reddit

I'd have called 999, because I'm not a fucking idiot.

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SupremeFlamer@reddit

I've tried 101 a few times over the years. They have NEVER answered me. Longest I waited was 45 minutes.

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Overall_Ad5379@reddit

Are you a guy? Seems the police don’t prioritise these types of crimes anymore. They should of misgendered someone, police would of been right out.

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Skorpychan@reddit

Tell your neighbour for sure, let them report it to the police/insurance if there's any damage done.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea spoke with him when he got home, luckily no damage. Must have got there just in time this morning!

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vemailangah@reddit

The police don't care. Why should you. Just insure your stuff cause it's going to get worse in the next decade of this dystopian nightmare.

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winch25@reddit

A few weeks ago I was woken up by a couple of guys trying to kick down the door of somebody the other side of the road. I was on the phone to 999 in seconds and a patrol car turned up about 5 minutes later, after they had gone.

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d0nkey_boi@reddit

*Traded some sleep for imaginary fight them for a bit. Kicked lots of ass to be fair.* Glad I’m not the only one that does this.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

I think we all do this!

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BroadLaw1274@reddit

Release the hounds

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coupl4nd@reddit

I caught someone chopping a bike lock around 4am. Called the non emergency. Amazed they answered. They then sent a car... clowns put the blue lights on before even turning into the road. Thief ran away. Fucking idiots.

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ginjabo@reddit

I had a friend who saw two guys breaking into vans and stealing tools so he called 999 and was left feeling like they didn’t really care and waited 10 minutes with sign of any police while these guys were emptying vehicles, his girlfriend then called and said she’d been threatened with a gun by two men and they’re still there!! 4 minutes later the police arrived!! Sometimes you just have to exaggerate the situation to be taken seriously.

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Critical-Welcome4451@reddit

Get back ya bastard, I'll break yer legs 📣

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SquarePeg79@reddit

Should've called the A-Team as there's more chance of them arriving. In my experience, the police would prefer you to have the perpetrator's fingerprints, a full, signed confession, 10 eyewitnesses and CCTV footage of the whole incident before even thinking about turning up.

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vanadlen@reddit

Play Phil Collins ‘Easy Lover’ full blast and get out of the car in my undies.

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BarryToblerone41@reddit

Pro Tip, Use a cricket bat instead of a baseball bat. It's well known that a cricket bat has more surface area and hurts more.

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BigWeld38@reddit

Also, nobody plays baseball in the UK, cricket is easier to explain.

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scalpingsnake@reddit

I rang the Fire department one time because there was a fire in a tree. As I was on the call the fire went out and felt kinda silly. I had already hung up and walked away because I realised the kids that caused the fire were still there lighting fireworks... I felt bad because I couldn't fully guide the firemen to the fire (it was on a park) but my dog was scared I had to leave, and the fact the kids didn't leave after setting a tree on fire... yeah I didn't wanna hang around. First time I had ever called 999. I asked on this sub actually and someone put my mind at ease, they get a lot more calls, many that lead to nothing, at least in my case (and yours) the call would be justified.

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dai4u-twonko@reddit

A good old fashioned sword fight is the only option

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Shamusj@reddit

I called 101 when my car was stolen from in front of my house. When I told them I was tracking the movements live via an Apple tag they said I could call 999 as it was a crime in progress.

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vivianGhAyamah@reddit

Good move

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PKblaze@reddit

If someone looks like they're going to actively commit a crime call 999. Even if nothing comes of it, it's better to prevent shit or have the police show up to catch them.

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Marylogical@reddit

Definitely tell your neighbor, gee. He's got a right to protect himself. Maybe if he knew he could put a camera on his vehicle.

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Panda_hat@reddit

The same as you did but with 999. I'd say you did enough, I wouldn't worry about it. Give your neighbour the heads up and maybe kick off a discussion about putting up security cameras.

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tppercy@reddit

I'd have logged it on their web chat. I've called 999 before, for someone trying to steal bikes, by jumping on them while I called, and was told they didn't have the resources. Same goes for burglary. Though a drunk teen quietly sitting on a wall got 3 cars, 6 Police, and 1 angry mom, within 5 minutes.

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Warbleton@reddit

Police are usless in 99% of cases. Sort it yourself or leave it is the answer. I hope someone would stop someone stealing my stuff so I would do the same.

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goldenbrowncow@reddit

999 then discreetly film if its safe.

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cookj1232@reddit

This is a 999 call any day. I understand you called 999 before and was told 101 but that’s just wrong and the operator shouldn’t be informing this.

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CongealedBeanKingdom@reddit

Supersoaker full of piss. Aim. Fire. All jokes aside, I called the police once on two lads who I could see breaking into a car in a carport behind my house. I worked in a bar and had just come home, so it must have been 2am, ish. The police station was round the corner. Watched them pull up and throw the lads into the back of the van. Lovely stuff.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Must have been very satisfying to see that happen!

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CongealedBeanKingdom@reddit

It was highly satisfying hahahaha. God it must have been 20 years ago and I still remember it. Wee white Golf. I was just closing my curtains when I spotted them hahaha

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wildcharmander1992@reddit

Shout from my window in my poshest voice " I say you there, yes you. Please refrain from taking Mrs Kensington's motorized vehicle! It is not yours to take and she will be most upset. She uses said transport to take Mr Kensington to his chemotherapy treatments. So kindly leave the car where it is currently stationed. If you do not wish to grant my request please inside heed this warning, many residents of the cul-de-sac including yours truly have private security cameras and will be able to identify your faces when the local authorities are contacted. One does not want oneself to end up incarcerated at her majesty's pleasure I would presume, so kindly begone you little ragamuffins" Then hope they just walk off tbh

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bearwright1@reddit

Lol imaginary fighting 😂😂 been there, also playing out scenarios while in the shower 😂

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mrdibby@reddit

>also playing out scenarios while in the shower man. the most rage from imaginary scenarios comes out in the shower.

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bearwright1@reddit

Talking shit to the shower head and then a 1-2 combo 😂

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea it was tough to sleep that’s for sure, had some action movie scenes going on in my head haha

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bearwright1@reddit

At least you kicked butt against the 7ft hulking brutes carrying weapons that had 12 years karate

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PeeEssDoubleYou@reddit

Laughing at all the people saying to have called 999; been pointless for non violent stuff for years.

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spacetimebear@reddit

Apart from calling 999 instead of 101 I'd say you done the right thing. Not much else you could really do there.

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Ilkley_dipper@reddit

Shouted at them to fuck off and make a lot of noise. They don’t want to be seen and the minute you wake the street up they will flee.

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postvolta@reddit

Was in Cambridge centre and there were 5 teenagers with a literal giant set of bolt cutters stealing bikes. Right in the middle where the market is. The only people doing anything were a Sikh guy who was trying to get them to stop, and me watching them in utter disbelief at how brazenly they were doing it. Everyone else was literally just walking around like they couldn't see it. Dunno sometimes I feel like they *know* law and order is an illusion and you just add it to the list of unsolved crimes.

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m0le@reddit

I was *astonished* when I got my bike back in Cambridge in 2018 (stolen from outside Oxfam at the Grafton, so in full public view, the bastards). Normally I'm not very pro police, but credit where it's due they pulled through then!

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Ilkley_dipper@reddit

You’ll enjoy [this then](https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-66585713)

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Lessarocks@reddit

You’d think wouldnt you? I live a relatively low crime area in SW London and the NextDoor app has carried footage of thieves being disturbed in the process of taking catalytic converters and their response is to threaten the home owner who disturbed them - and then just carry on.they’re secure in the knowledge that the likelihood of the police turning up is slim to none.

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EconomyFreakDust@reddit

It's not even that, it's that it'll take you longer to even call the police than for them to take the cat. It takes a good thief less than a minute to nick one. And they'll be in balaclavas and a stolen getaway car, so they know they'll get away fine.

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Ilkley_dipper@reddit

That is grim.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea i actually thought that and kind of regret not beeping or something. Was a bit shocked when I saw it so took my brain a bit to react and by then they were gone

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Ilkley_dipper@reddit

That’s natural. Fear/shock is just self preservation. Rather a car gets stolen than someone’s head gets stoved in, was just saying what I think I would’ve done. But who knows in the moment.

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kg_27@reddit

Strode out bollcoko and asked if they have any milk, nothing throws people off like weirdness and nudity

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useful-idiot-23@reddit

Crime in progress? 999 every time.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

When though it’s not an emergency?

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useful-idiot-23@reddit

Yes. Crime in progress is a 999 every time.

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-Rhymenocerous-@reddit

Would of blocked the entry to the carpark with dashcam facing them. Dialled 999 whilst connected to bluetooth and turned the volume up enough it could be heard. Full beams on. Then taken my hammer out of the toolbag just incase.

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Sea_Page5878@reddit

Tell the truth you would piss your self the very moment one of the gentlemen tells you to get out of their way...

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-Rhymenocerous-@reddit

Some of us didn't spend our lives sucking off their parents nipples until their 30's. Just because you can't fathom the thought of putting your big boy pants on instead of pissing 'em so you mug off others online that would. Had my van broken into enough times and actually done something about it whenever I caught someone. Bet you felt like a right double hard bastard when you posted that comment 😂

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Sea_Page5878@reddit

What you going to do when confronted scream "yer on camruh" like most chicken shit dash cammers do when their big boy moment backfires?

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-Rhymenocerous-@reddit

Come try break into my van and see how it goes down wee fella 😘

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ternfortheworse@reddit

Everyone would’ve clapped

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callisstaa@reddit

*would of clapped

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ternfortheworse@reddit

Would’ve = would have. Would of is grammatically wrong

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callisstaa@reddit

I was referring to the original comment.

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Worldly_Science239@reddit

...as they carried him in his armchair (that he wrote the comment from) aloft around town in celebration

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Superbead@reddit

That armchair upholsterer's name? >!Albert Einstein                                      !<

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Skynetshere@reddit

I'd have turned the dash cam off as not to incriminate myself, the next few minutes would have been a live action compilation of every chuck norris fighting scene ever made followed by a brutal double knockout flying dragon kick. As I dusted myself off I'd unzip my fly and teabag the criminals until they regained consciousness, then I'd make them kiss.

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kavik2022@reddit

Ok son. Tell me about the lock, stock and two Barrel video game you live in

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ADM_ShadowStalker@reddit

I'd have done about the same. Trying to contact the police is a joke. Had some suspicious folks kicking around the garages near me, I've lived here a few years and WFH means I recognise a large number of neighbours. Called 101, because if something did get stolen or broken into they'd at least have some info ahead of the game....  So after 20 minutes waiting to speak to someone the randoms left and I figured I no longer gave a toss either...

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Darkened100@reddit

Police are just dumb, I caught a fly tipper made him clean it up, videoed him, told the police and they’re like well he picked it up so there’s no crime, I said well he could go elsewhere and dump it, don’t you want his reg incase he’s doing it all the time, they said no. Madness in my book might aswell take the law into your own hands

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Donkey__Oaty@reddit

It depends on which neighbour to be honest. If it was Sean and Claire up the stairs then I'd help the guys break in - they're the worst neighbours I've ever had and they broke the tail light on my car. Fuck Sean and Claire, they've got it coming. If it was anybody else if have chased them away and maybe called the police with a description.

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windol1@reddit

Yeah, most definitely agree with this sentiment. Sod the woman next door, all she brings is loud music, drunken shouting at stupid o'clock at night, as well as having a really bad way of selecting boyfriends, each one all nob heads, with the last one being the worst. After she broke up with him he came around one night kicking off in the street, banging on her front door, he then decided to attempt to get to her back garden by walking on weak roofs of our outbuildings, ended up putting a massive hole in the roof and then drunkenly leaving the area, she never even offered to pay towards repair so screw her.

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FPHobby@reddit

One of the neighbours where I used to live was clearly having an argument with one of the local wronguns, not that they were much better themselves. Never laughed as hard as watching him ram his C1 into their Old Ford at 15mph, insane to see it happening but entertaining. Couldn’t for the life of me figure out what the argument was about

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Tef-al@reddit

Lean on the horn till everyone is looking

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Shushyabullshit@reddit

You’re only supposed to ring 999 if there’s an immediate threat to life. So everyone saying it’s a 999 call, it’s not.

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marsman@reddit

>You’re only supposed to ring 999 if there’s an immediate threat to life. So everyone saying it’s a 999 call, it’s not. Except that's not accurate at all. The general advice is that you'd *always* call 999 if there is a threat to life. But it's not the only time you should. From https://www.gov.uk/contact-police *Call 999 if you are reporting a crime that is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger.* So both if there is an immediate danger to a person, or where there is a crime in progress.

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Shushyabullshit@reddit

Ok, so from reading op’s post what crime took place?

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Delts28@reddit

[That's not what the Government say though.](https://www.gov.uk/contact-police) A crime was in progress so it's a 999 call.

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Shushyabullshit@reddit

So what crime took place then, from reading op’s post?

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

That’s what i was told last time

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megawap@reddit

The fucking state of police in the country. The person had a knife and threatened someone and they told you not to call them. Only nut cases carry knives around in their car, how long before someone does get stabbed?! Christ!

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea I was actually shocked at that

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Tiny-Trash8916@reddit

You could have phoned 999 and told the police they were armed

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NeilDeWheel@reddit

I think that’s all you can do. Try to scare them off and maybe get a picture. They’ll be long gone by time police get there. I had a flat that overlooked a bike shed, about 10 bikes locked there overnight. I would regularly see thieves try to steel them so when I saw one (you get to know how to spot them) I would bang on my window. They would always calmly walk away, till next time. This was before cctv was easily available so I couldn’t record them to send to police. One night a group of four teenagers started messing with a Vespa. I banged on the window and shouted. One said “We’re taking it to fix it. The luggage box is broken. Look we have the keys.” I held up my phone and said “Ok, you won’t mind me taking a photo then?” The all hid their faces and scarpered, bastards

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woodlandfae@reddit

I once got a “uuurgh those are the palest legs I’ve EVER SEEN.” Then right after another went “Fucking albino” I’m literally just existing ._. Also very insulting to those who actually are albino!

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Intruder313@reddit

999 not 101 I saw a scally on a bike checking cars one night so I just yelled out of the window at him that I was calling the police and he bolted

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OkPaleontologist9874@reddit

Defo call 999 in future for such stuff, at least carries the possibility (if not probability) of a speedy response. I called 999 when our house had been burgled, and the crim had long gone. I apologised when I called and said I know its not a true emergency, but the operator was great, understood why I called and arranged a slow time police response.

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KhostfaceGillah@reddit

Police are useless until you say there's a firearm and they'll call the whole station out.

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Quasar9111@reddit

start filming them on smartphone while calling 999

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bobbyhardnut@reddit

I nipped out the back garden for a smoke about 2am a couple of years ago and could hear people talking in the public garages at the back of our garden. I was suspicious as they appeared to be whispering and soon enough I heard some banging sounds. i'd mentally noted there were at least 4 people present, and I didn't know what to do. I walked to the gate of my property and could see some silhouettes around one of the garages. I paused and just stared at them. Considering my options. One of them spotted me, followed a chorus of whistles as if to say shit we have company, altering their friends. The moment I realised there were maybe 6 of them I was more than a little worried but safe in the knowledge I had a big enough gap to retreat. I just stood there. They all scarpered. I had a guess at who's garage it was and knocked on his door the following morning. I didn't ring the police, but I did end up awake half the night from the adrenaline, and I kept checking they had not come back. They had tried to steal his motorbikes. They had removed an entire slab of concrete from the side of the garage. Luckily, he lost nothing, and I'm still here to tell the tale. He had discovered his garage had been broken into about 6AM that morning, so it wasn't a surprise when I told him what I had seen. He was forever grateful, tho, and still says hi to me to this day. He waited two days for the police to attend, only to tell him (without trying) they couldn't get any prints.

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pickindim_kmet@reddit

Has something similar last year. I heard a noise outside and I live in a pretty quiet place. Saw 3 men pushing a car at 3am and whispering to each other. I went with 999 and much to my surprise, and theirs, three cars turned up within 5 minutes. They chatted for 5 minutes before getting arrested and the car didn't move for weeks. Always nervous in case I'm calling and they're genuine, but I find it hard to believe three men pushing a car and whispering at 3am were genuine.

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sAmSmanS@reddit

what you do in those situations is tell them your wall is not four foot high. They’ll get on the ground and start crying

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LongAttorney3@reddit

That’s a pretty arcane cultural reference. The garden walls in Spain are not four foot high. Sorry if I just stuck you to the floor

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sAmSmanS@reddit

i’ve gone on a bit of a Derren refresher this summer. Love his work and that line always makes me chuckle

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suiluhthrown78@reddit

I would just leave it, everyone has insurance these days No one is going around at night stealing stuff unless they really needed it

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ZX471@reddit

Depends if you get on with your neighbour, personally I would go ask them if they could use a hand or offer to be look out….

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Rich_PL@reddit

Okay, here's what happened when this situation occurred (outside my home), #Greentext mode. * About midnight, maybe 1am. * Wife 'hears' something outside (crappy road adjacent terraced housing so we hear pretty much anything outside) * Seems sus; gets up checks out of window. * Some dude = Checking car doors.exe * My wife, opens window *"Hey... what ya doing?"* * Dude: *"oh uh, dropped me phone"* * My wife: *"that your car?"* * Dude: *"yeah <bullshit.jar>"* * My wife: *"funny, you don't look like {female neighbor's name here}"* * Dude makes exit stage left. * \--- some sleeping occurs --- * I sent the CCTV footage to local rozzers with a 'crime report' * {spongbob nothing.meme} Literally, no further action or follow-up was made. It is with much sadness that we witness a shocking amount of crime in our local area and, even when it has directly affected us (stolen bike) exactly ZERO action is taken. Beginning to wonder why we even fake the idea of having a police force.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea i reported it earlier online but I’m guessing it will amount to big ol nothingburger

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RhythmicRampage@reddit

The state of 999 for the police is awful, I called in for a dangerous driver and explained the situation. Driver all over 3 lanes and then almost crashed into the barrier and they had the balls to ask me why I thought it was an issue!!!! My dude almost took out 2 cars and a lorry.

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redditupf2@reddit

Tell them to F off

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TheUnstoppableBTC@reddit

101? OP emails the fire brigade IT crowd style “Fire! Fire! …Looking forward to hearing from you”

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Since making this post i have confirmed it does not meet the guidelines of a 999 call so would have been turned away any way. There was no threat to life, no actual crime as they hadn’t broken in to the car, it wasn’t an emergency and they had already left the scene.

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joshhyb153@reddit

"Traded some sleep for imaginary fighting them for for a bit. Kicked lots of ass to be fair." Like a real man would.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea i sure showed them! (In my head)

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joshhyb153@reddit

Both at the same time I assume?

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CamVPro@reddit

You wont get an answer to a 101 call before you lose patience, it's a sham, call 999 if you feel threatened, literally what it's there for.

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doomdoggie@reddit

Pull up and stop in the middle of the road near the car with your lights on full beam, illuminate those motherfuckers.  I find the best tactic is to make these people known that you can see them but staying at a safe ditances.  Keep your engine on, don't get out of the car and get your phone out. Open your window OR Go somewhere near that they can't see you but they can 100% hear you.  And in a aggressive voice (ideally do you best Belfast accent) say something like:  "Here mate, there's two guys trying to nick your car. One looks about...6ft, the other's about 5ft. Yeah, two wee fellas with masks and gloves. Yeah I'll call Terry too mate. They're trying to nick your car, of course I'm not leaving. Come on out now, tell the missus to stay inside. I'll get my gear."

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interwebpilgrim@reddit

Christ, what a useless neighbor

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WhatYouLeaveBehind@reddit

"I hope you weren't planning on driving that."

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Dazzling-Wash9086@reddit

Went into full Jim Kelly mode I expect…sorry imagine

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Freefall84@reddit

call 999, tell them one of them is holding what looks like a large knife or piece of sharp metal.

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Sea_Page5878@reddit

Say you're going to shoot them if no one comes soon.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea if you see my edit that didn’t work last time haha got told that as they’d left it was no longer an emergency

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Freefall84@reddit

So tell them they're still there. You need to realise that in order to use any public services in the UK you have to basically lie through your teeth otherwise the police will just do basically fucking nothing like normal.

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tangyoptimism@reddit

I would tell your neighbour (s) perhaps raise with the management company for improved lighting or something with the shared carpark. Maybe also print something off or ask the management company to put up a notice warning residents. Masks gloves metal bar gives me indication pre planned to an extent they could well be back. Doubt police can/would do anything until a crime committed.

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Delts28@reddit

There's conflicting evidence around constant lighting and crime and no good studies (unless some have come out in the last year). Whilst it is easier to spot a criminal in theory, it also let's them see if there's anyone about to watch them and gives them better lighting for any fiddlier tasks. Arguably a person with a torch is going to attract far more attention, likewise with motion detection lights. When you look up statistics of street light use and crime, you get a mixed bag. There's no studies with controls and often councils get rid of street lights along with other cuts that could also explain an increase in crime which could explain the situations where crime does increase.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Weird thing is there are lights for all of the spaces, the cars are lit up clear as day. I do think it was pre planned too, his car is a mk7 fiesta ST so pretty commonly targeted. Will probably talk to him when he’s home and suggest getting a disk lock or something.

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tangyoptimism@reddit

Oh yeah fair enough, guess nothing can truly deter a determined criminal.

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AlligatorHater22@reddit

This is the problem - when you can't get a real response from 101 in a sensible time, 999 isn't much better and when the people do show up, they are hardly trained or prepared for the situation AND add to that, you will come under the microscope of the law if you intervene it's a terrible situation to be in. I was in a similar situation in my home town - we had a sporadic spate of home burglaries and sheds being broken in to. Where I live, the average age is about 85! So I take this type of thing seriously. I saw a person around a neighbours car and garage around 1:45am on a saturday morning. On looking I realised there was someone also on our drive. I am not the type to watch this bullshit happen. I hopped out the back door of my hours, out through the back gate which brings me round to the front of my house to find a guy under the back of my car. I pulled him out by his feet, rear mount, armed behind the back used zip ties to cuff him and then did the same to his feet to hog tie him. I went across the road to where the second person was, my neighbour at this point had come out after hearing something. I saw my neighbour, just as I did, the other person bolted tripped over the charging cable of my neighbours car (Electric) and I did the same. Jumped on him, secured him, zip ties. He got a little physical, so dumped him on the ground and tied his feet. Took him over to my drive, where my wife had called 999 and I tied the pair together, sat back to back on my drive. The police showed up 45 minutes later and the first 30 minutes were questions all about the safety of the pricks that tried to rob us. Why I retrained them, they asked them directly if they felt threatened and I was asked to let them go! I refused, I asked them to get a superior here, a Sgt turned up a further 20 minutes later. They detained the bad guys and I was questioned to see if I had breached the law! Hence, my opinion of the police is rock bottom. They're poorly recruited and simply the wrong people for the job.

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JamesBerryUK@reddit

I'd try not to put myself into a situation where I could get hurt myself, but the thing I probably would have done is honk my horn continuously and shined my full beams on them until they ran away. Would have annoyed the neighbours but I'm sure they'd understand if they knew what was happening. Failing that there's not much more you can do on your own if they have a weapon and you're by yourself without.

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Sad_Cardiologist5388@reddit

Shout "Oi you two, piss off" and watch them hopefully run assy

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stevesnake@reddit

I have a massive hatred for thieves, lost a boat, car and motorbike to them scum and had my house broken into so i would have, if possible, pointed the car at them and floored the accelerator. But that is just me, i hate them scumbags

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bedrockblonde@reddit

Politely say "um, Excuse me" then proceed to the nearest hospital after having my head stored in

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harleyuk@reddit

Squirted salad dressing in their eyes from the safety of my bedroom window!

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euphoriatakingover@reddit

Filming it would have been ideal and getting plates of the crims.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea unfortunately i only saw them for about 5 seconds as the neighbours car is the one right by the exit. By the time i got my phone they were on the road and disappeared

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LiftSomeTin@reddit

Would have rang the police, let me neighbours know I made a token effort, whilst also knowing the police will do fuck all. Unless you're pretty handy and don't have anything to lose, there's not much point getting involved, even if its your own car. Helps to have a dog that would maul them to death, I guess.

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Preacherjonson@reddit

If it were me I'd've pursued on foot and karate chopped them, bundled them into the car and delivered them to the local fuzz. In reality, I think you did the right thing but definitely tell your neighbour.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea will definitely tell them when they get home!

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hypertyper85@reddit

I think you did the right thing totally. It's not a 999 emergency, sadly not for that kinda thing. 101 is equally crap though. My neighbour attempted to call 101 around 3am when she spotted two men standing on my garden wall looking into my garden (they could have jumped over eventually) they then hung around looking in other neighbours gardens acting sus. 101 didn't answer! She waited ages and couldn't get through. Gave up n went to bed. Came and told me the next day. Never spoken to her before so it was a nice neighbourly thing to do. I have cameras and checked them and true to her word spotted a glimpse of them. Nice to know literally no help would arrive from calling 101!

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea i would have thought at that time it would have been easy to get through but nope! 15 minutes of ringing and nothing lol

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TrayA46@reddit

It’s a crime in progress so def a 999 call xx

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CoffeeandaTwix@reddit

I would have done similar. I'd have stayed in my car and made sure I had good means of egress and would have left them to it. Not prepared to confront two men with weapons over someone else's car. I'd not hold much hope of police response either. I guess it depends on area but nowadays, at least where I have lived; an active burglary generally won't trigger any immediate police response. The last time I called the police; two men and a woman were beating the shit out of another man. They knocked him to the floor and were kicking him. I called 999 fearing for his well being and was asked if they had weapons. I told them that I couldn't be sure and also that I wasn't prepared to intervene and find out. You can call me a coward but there was nobody else about and little chance of finding someone and I could only assume that the victim was unconscious at that point so it would have been me vs. 3 unknown quantities. They wouldn't send any police out for it. I had to wait an agonising few minutes for them to tire themselves out and leave. Thankfully, I saw the victim move after a while. He wasn't fully conscious but was at least not in a coma. I called back and was able to get an ambulance. So anyway, I'd not even bother calling the police for a burglary or car theft other then after the fact to get a ref. no. for insurance purposes.

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Celthric317@reddit

Call the police and take pictures for my insurance company

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PoppySkyPineapple@reddit

I would have called 999, how did you know they weren’t on the way to bash someone’s head in? Definitely tell your neighbour and the police as they might do it again.

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MtnDream@reddit

could have woken your neighbour

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Life_Establishment87@reddit

From someone who used to work in a police control room, it doesn't matter the severity of the situation **always** call 999 when something is in progress.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Noted. I just got put off from last time getting told to hang up and call 101 as the person has left the scene (even though i has their reg plate and the direction they were going).

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Life_Establishment87@reddit

Don't worry too much about that advice, we would rather a call get placed in good faith than not at all.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Good to know, thanks!

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Parsnipnose3000@reddit

I did more or less the same thing when a very drunk woman (with 2 children, and all three of them were wearing pyjamas and dressing gowns) got into her car at ASDA. I called 999 though. And by the time 999 actually answered about 15 minutes later the whole exercise was totally pointless. They were probably home by then. Very frustrating.

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MDF87@reddit

Mental how a crime is being committed and the police don't seem to want to know about it! Is there any point in having a 999 line anymore?

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runjump-lift@reddit

Air rifle gun / pellet gun

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CliffyGiro@reddit

You should have called 999 not 101. It was a crime in progress and as such should have prompted an immediate response.

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rezznux@reddit

r/iamverybadass

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CliffyGiro@reddit

Not sure you understand the whole “I am very badass” thing. Kind of applies more to people talking shite and acting hard. “I’d try to keep a hold of one of them” doesn’t fit the bill.

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strawbebbymilkshake@reddit

I mean, they are (or were) a response cop so you’d generally expect them to be willing and capable of putting hands on a criminal lol

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CliffyGiro@reddit

All I said is I’d try. I’d understand the “I am very badass” patter if I came out with some BS about how I’d single handedly use ninja moves or something.

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Useful_Engineer_6122@reddit

“Bloody hell, lads! This one sounds fun!”

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thenreturnss@reddit

Lots of people here are confused about the function of the police in this country. Police are there to record crimes after they happen. They are not there to prevent or stop crimes in progress. You have to judge the function of a thing by what it does most. If you drive an Uber once a month but work full time as an accountant then you're mainly an accountant and Uber is a side gig. The police mainly record crimes. Any solving or preventing crime is a side thing they rarely do.

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lollybaby0811@reddit

Eh nice of you. The car park should have cameras

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Scott-the-legend@reddit

Depends if I liked him or not

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nakrimu@reddit

I would tell your neighbour about it. I was up early a couple of months ago, it was around 4am. I went outside to check out the moon as it was pretty big and bright. As I’m standing there I hear feet shuffling along and look over and there’s a guy all dressed up like it’s 40 below out but it is summer and he was covered from head to toe. He proceeds to start rummaging around on my neighbours porch so I yell over, Hey Buddy what are you doing? He yells back, Oh I don’t know and then starts walking my way. I run in to grab my phone and am ready to yell for my husband as I don’t know what this guy is going to do. He walks up to the back of my vehicle and is about 50 feet from me and just stands there staring at me for a few seconds and then continued on. The weird thing is the guy had a really distinctive walk and dragged his feet and I said to my husband I would know the guy if I saw him again due to his walk. Sure enough I’ve seen the guy now several times walking into the building behind our houses. Keeping my eye on that one!

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botwewa@reddit

Shine my cat’s laser toy at them to make them think it’s a sniper

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CammyCozy@reddit

They start work early don’t they?

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RelativeOk578@reddit

You did right thing. Never approach. A buddy of mine was killed over the summer for doing just that. They had him on camera having a verbal disagreement with someone while looking off camera. He walked towards them and his body was found in the morning. Don’t fuck with people who have less to lose than you. It’s just a car and people have insurance.

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section4@reddit

A friend of mine had just had a kid and he was doing a night feed when he heard some noise outside. He looked out and a bloke was going round trying car doors. He opened the window and told him to fuck off and the guy said something along the lines of "what do you expect me to do? About 50% of people leave their car doors unlocked. Man's got to earn a living" and just walked off. Couldn't believe the boldness of it

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brizellad1883@reddit

caught in act thats a 999 isn't it? If cops are near they could catch them. no way I would confront if that's your concern. Not worth a kicking. Make some noise and disturb them or don't so the police can get there in time

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YTChillVibesLofi@reddit

I’d have called 999 and woken the neighbour the car belonged to. But that’s just me, an intelligent human being.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Except according to the call handlers it’s no longer an emergency as they had left the scene…

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Same-Nothing2361@reddit

I probably would have done the same. The only difference being when I do imaginary fighting I still somehow manage to get my ass kicked.

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North-Lobster499@reddit

I had the same thing happen to me, thankfully my neighbour called 999 as that's what you should do with a crime in progress. They 'broke' into my old Escort Cabriolet which I left unlocked because thieves slash the roofs to get into them and its just cheaper. At the time I was heavily involved in martial arts (still am) and was annoyed when he contacted me after they had left and he got off the phone from the Police. I got a phone call from the Police about an hour later, they caught the 3 guys and all had been arrested, could I come down to the station and identify if any of my gear was there? I went down there and identified - it was everything they found in their car and mentioned to the Officer that I was annoyed next door hadn't let me know. He sat me down next to him and pulled one of the guys record up on the Police computer, he had only been out of Prison for 3 weeks, for gbh with a screwdriver at a previous break-in. And had a long record of thefts, assaults, 2 GBH - all of the usual scumbag arrests you would expect. I bought my neighbour a crate of beer, no matter how hard I may think I am, I don't really want to fight 3 guys who may use deadly weapons when i've just woken up. I was never contacted afterwards, beyond my initial identification regarding any prosecution so have no idea what happened.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea I’ve trained a lot of mma / bjj and am much bigger than the guys this morning. Didn’t want to take a chance at potentially getting stabbed over the neighbours car haha

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bullencentral97@reddit

Defo call it in don’t chase them down. I knew someone who chased down his car what was getting stolen. They ran over him and killed him. Got caught but I think their out again now

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea that’s why i didn’t get out of the car initially, driving around at least meant they couldn’t have tried anything in the parking lot if i stayed there

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Browncardiebrigade@reddit

30 years ago in Australia my FIL was staying over in western Sydney (semi-rough area). He woke me at 2am to say 2 guys were trying to steal his car because he could see them out the window... me being in my 20s at the time and very stupid, grabbed a cricket bat and raced down the stairs and out in the carpark.... as I got outside I started screaming swearwords and ran towards them with a bat raised.... I have a loud voice and I was about 17 stone and they both freaked out.... one ran down the end of the carpark away from me, jumped a fence and was gone.... the other froze like a deer in headlights before suddenly running for a closer but taller fence which he proceeded to run straight into and fall over..... at this point I could have caught/hit him but I started to think about it... what was I doing? Was I really going to clock a guy with a cricket bat? If he has a weapon what then?.... I decided to slow to a walk (still yelling) to give him time to collect himself and climb the fence and escape.... 10/10 would not recommend!

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea I’m pretty big and have trained a lot of mma/bjj for a few years and they were pretty skinny looking dudes. Don’t really want to chance it though, you never know what they’ll escalate it to. Not looking to get stabbed over a neighbour car!

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reed20v@reddit

Crash into the neighbours car so it's no longer worth stealing. Gotta play 4D chess with these fuckin car thieves.

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whitmorereans@reddit

Ex copper. It’s definitely a 999 call, whoever told you last time that you should have called 101 is totally wrong, especially as a knife was involved.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea i thought that. Tbh i was actually shocked at the knife call getting told to hang up and call 101, as I had the reg and exact make and model of the car and the direction they went.

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Experts_Opinion@reddit

id of elbow dropped them from the top window

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SnooBooks1701@reddit

Tell them there's a police officer who lives down the street and you've already called him

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Global_Acanthaceae25@reddit

Roundhouse kick followed by a couple of devastating upper cuts. Then as my wife is on the floor I'll tell her it's all her fault.

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dbe14@reddit

My honest answer is probably the same as you, I would never have engaged them directly, too much can go wrong. I've only ever called 999 once in my life, had a burglar trying to open my back door, rang the police (who I swear must have gotten the call whilst actually driving down my road) and they turned up literally 2 minutes later and arrested him in my back garden.

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Deep-Factor2781@reddit

You’ve asked reddit before calling 999, that’s insane

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shiny_gold_nonce@reddit

Do you like your neighbour?

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Informal-Effective92@reddit

if it were me i would like to think i would just shout what you doing at them hoping they would just run off. probably what i would do is start recording it and call the police at the end of the day it sucks to have your stuff stolen but property isnt worth getting kicked the shit out of over the video will serve as evidence for insurance that the vehicle was locked and they had to force their way in.

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ExPristina@reddit

Defo 999. Thieves around where I live rock up to steal bikes and break into cars armed with machetes and pistols. Even for your own car, it’s not worth the risk of who dares wins.

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Angelicant@reddit

I probably would’ve done exactly what you did. Now you should report it to the police using the online form (because they never answer 101 but do seem to respond to online reports) and tell your neighbour.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Yea might do that tbh. Still 50/50 on reporting it online. Can they really do anything with it now?

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Lessarocks@reddit

It’s important to report all crimes so that we can all see the extent of the problems we are now facing . Unreported crimes just mean that governments and the force will just become more complacent. We need those reported numbers to be as high as possible.

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Angelicant@reddit

There might be cctv around that could have caught them in the area. Just let the police know and leave it up to them. Whether they do anything probably depends how much they’ve got on and whether they are aware of these people and are already trying to track them down in connection with other crimes. It can’t do any harm to report it.

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GiGGLED420@reddit (OP)

Fair points!

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Original_Golf8647@reddit

Call 999 as it is a crime in progress, which is a valid reason to call that number. Regardless of what the previous call handler told you.

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General-Chemist909@reddit

Call 999, record on your phone, turn lights on and shout “I’ve got you on cctv and I’ve called the police” - then call the neighbour!

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davesy69@reddit

Call 999 next time and tell your neighbour.

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ViKtorMeldrew@reddit

Sounds fair enough, attempting reporting prowlers. Yes I'd tell other people so they can secure valuables.

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SnooHabits5642@reddit

Think ur forgetting the therapy part cmon bro its reddit… even if u have a slight disagreement u must get therapy immediately !

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BasisOk4268@reddit

Phone 999 or beep your horn really loudly to alert everyone in the street

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Bulbasaurus__Rex@reddit

I would have called 999 not 101

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ViridianKumquat@reddit

Call 999 for crimes in progress. 101 would have been appropriate if you'd spotted evidence if a break-in after it had happened.

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