Police enquiry at home

[mw88]

the mac said:

So looking for some opinions just to gauge as to whether I’m unreasonable ?????
So the other night just a few minutes before midnight the Police came to my door, now unfortunately I wasn’t in but my wife was, as you can probably imagine she got a bit of a fright with the doorbell going at that time of night and being in by herself. Wisely she didn’t answer it as at this point she didn’t know who it was, she then heard something being posted through the door. Further investigation revealed that it was a card from Police Scotland with the box ticked enquiry and my name on it. It also had the officers name and they had circled the 101 number for me to call. She phoned me at work and told me what happened, I phoned 101 at around 0015 and spent an hour on hold, when I spoke to the operator and gave my name and address he said there was nothing showing on the system for me however he would pass on my mobile number and get them to call me back. I still hadn’t heard anything by the time I finished work so decided to try and nip things in the bud and went to the Police station. The person on duty managed to radio through to the officer involved and then passed on to me they were just about to finish their shift but had my number and would be in contact when they were back on duty in a weeks time! When I asked what it was in relation to I was told they couldn’t tell me but it was nothing to worry about!
So a few points: is midnight not an unreasonable time to be turning up at someone’s door?
This obviously left me wondering if someone had died or what have I allegedly done.
Is it unreasonable to have expected the curtesy of a return phone call?
Is it unreasonable that I now need to wait a week till they are back on duty to find out what they want?
If it is as they say “ nothing to worry about” why come to my home at midnight?
So just looking for thoughts and opinions from any Police or fellow citizens, is this just the norm?

You're assuming that you're actually the person they want to talk to.

Last year I got a call from the police at about 9pm "inviting" me for a chat. If I didn't accept this invitation, they said they'd arrest me and seize devices etc.

They wouldn't tell me what it was about, but they advised I should bring a solicitor. They wouldn't accept I hadn't done anything (Fair enough, everyone probably says that) and I've never had any dealings with the police before and knew I hadn't done anything but spent a few days stting myself before going down to see them.

Apparently some bloke with the same name had done something, and the only reason they thought it was me and had my details is because I reported my car stolen a few years ago.

fking useless

[vonhosen]

Wills2 said:

Unless it's an emergency/on going incident or they are coming to arrest you, I find it really strange that they would knock on the door at midnight in fact it's bizarre.

If it's been assigned to that officer & they aren't going to be able to try for at least another week I don't find it odd at all that they would try at that time.

[Trevor555]

vonhosen said:

Wills2 said:

Unless it's an emergency/on going incident or they are coming to arrest you, I find it really strange that they would knock on the door at midnight in fact it's bizarre.

If it's been assigned to that officer & they aren't going to be able to try for at least another week I don't find it odd at all that they would try at that time.

Disagree

Skipper should have passed that job to someone who could have done it sooner, or given it to the next shift.

[vonhosen]

Trevor555 said:

vonhosen said:

Wills2 said:

Unless it's an emergency/on going incident or they are coming to arrest you, I find it really strange that they would knock on the door at midnight in fact it's bizarre.

If it's been assigned to that officer & they aren't going to be able to try for at least another week I don't find it odd at all that they would try at that time.

Disagree

Skipper should have passed that job to someone who could have done it sooner, or given it to the next shift.

So we disagree.
Oh well.

[Longy00000]

I'm agreeing with rhe OP.
Unprofessional and unacceptable so far as I'm concerned.
Comments about there being 2 if them ,how would you know from inside?
A marked patrol car outside, again how would you know she could see it from her home? Hundreds of thousands of homes don't have vehicular access immediately to the front or back of a home ( block of flats, some tenements?)
She was right to refuse to answer the door at such a late hour, I hope my wife would too.
If its unimportant then they can come back at a reasonable hour.
As for under resourced, come on , slightest wiff of a car chase and dozens of them are available same with a 'hate' crime. All readily available then.
Sadly my perception of the police has steadily deteriorated over the last 15 years and no I have never been arrested. Just stopped for riding my motorbikes with no reason other than they get bored (but then they are supposed to be so busy?)
In years gone by the reason given was always I couldn't see your tax disc when you rode by....had that one several times.
I'm an old geezer with a couple of nice bikes and a very nice car but they have tarnished themselves to me and it leaves me full of distrust for them.

[NGee]

Longy00000 said:

I'm agreeing with rhe OP.
Unprofessional and unacceptable so far as I'm concerned.
Comments about there being 2 if them ,how would you know from inside?
A marked patrol car outside, again how would you know she could see it from her home? Hundreds of thousands of homes don't have vehicular access immediately to the front or back of a home ( block of flats, some tenements?)
She was right to refuse to answer the door at such a late hour, I hope my wife would too.
If its unimportant then they can come back at a reasonable hour.

Absolutely agree.

If a stranger dressed in police uniform started knocking on my door at midnight I certainly would not be opening the door and would be straight on the phone to 999 to check if they were genuine.

[the mac]

Glad to see the majority of comments agree to what seems to be reasonable and what is not. For some clarification and as someone has suggested my house layout does not allow you to see out the front without actually going past the front door and due to an opaque glass panel unfortunately that would give away the fact that your there. (This has never been a problem)
I believe my wife absolutely did the right thing here and would recommend if circumstances were to ever repeat themselves then she do it again.
I don’t know how work is allocated to officers but as another poster said could this not have been passed on to day shift ? Particularly when the officer knew that at 0600 they would be off for a week! I only know this because I chased it up they had no intention of actually telling me! I’ve got to the stage where I’m wondering if this was possibly deliberate for some reason, obviously I’m no further forward as to the reasoning for all this. As I’m sure most of you would do I’ve been trying to think of anything I may have done or who I might of upset but nothing noteworthy is coming to mind. Is a complaint to the Police worth the effort/hassle?

[Sheepshanks]

Wills2 said:

Unless it's an emergency/on going incident or they are coming to arrest you, I find it really strange that they would knock on the door at midnight in fact it's bizarre.

We were knocked up at midnight by police who said they had our address for a car that had been "seen".

Its owner was from the US and lived across the road from us for a few months before moving elsewhere in the village and staying for a couple of years, then going home. He'd had the same car the whole time and sold it through a local auction just as he left.

It seems unlikely the address hadn't been changed after he moved and we never got tax reminders etc for the car, but even if it hadn't and was still registered to our road, the house number would have been different.

Shortly afterwards we got several PCNs so it was clearly on the system with our address. Sent them back with covering letters and heard nothing more.


It's certainly extremely alarming to have the police at the door at that time - although quite a relief when they said the American guy's name.

[vonhosen]

Longy00000 said:

I'm agreeing with rhe OP.
Unprofessional and unacceptable so far as I'm concerned.
Comments about there being 2 if them ,how would you know from inside?
A marked patrol car outside, again how would you know she could see it from her home? Hundreds of thousands of homes don't have vehicular access immediately to the front or back of a home ( block of flats, some tenements?)
She was right to refuse to answer the door at such a late hour, I hope my wife would too.
If its unimportant then they can come back at a reasonable hour.
As for under resourced, come on , slightest wiff of a car chase and dozens of them are available same with a 'hate' crime. All readily available then.
Sadly my perception of the police has steadily deteriorated over the last 15 years and no I have never been arrested. Just stopped for riding my motorbikes with no reason other than they get bored (but then they are supposed to be so busy?)
In years gone by the reason given was always I couldn't see your tax disc when you rode by....had that one several times.
I'm an old geezer with a couple of nice bikes and a very nice car but they have tarnished themselves to me and it leaves me full of distrust for them.

Two separate issues though.

1) Knocking on the door at midnight.
I don't see that as a problem personally.
(I suppose it depends where you live, in parts of the country there are a lot going about there business way into the early hours where as in others it's very quiet).

2) Wife not feeling comfortable answering the door.
I don't see that as a problem personally.

The officer will obviously have to try again at another time, but that may be some time away.

[voyds9]

The unreasonable part (to my view) is having to work to their timescale.

They want something from the OP but want to get it when they are ready.

Would the police be so accommodating if they turned up and the OP said, not today comeback in a couple of weeks.

[Retro.74]

I don't think it's unreasonable for OP to go to pol Station and ask to speak to a Sgt or Insp with a view to making a complaint if they don't resolve it for you. If the officer was still on duty he should have called you back whether he was going off duty or not, not asked you to wait a week. Its unprofessional and not acceptable.

Explain the anxiety it is causing, they will have to resolve it for you, either by simply looking on a computer system, or how about inconveniencing said officer on his days off by giving him a ring to ask.

[Greendubber]

Retro.74 said:

I don't think it's unreasonable for OP to go to pol Station and ask to speak to a Sgt or Insp with a view to making a complaint if they don't resolve it for you. If the officer was still on duty he should have called you back whether he was going off duty or not, not asked you to wait a week. Its unprofessional and not acceptable.

Explain the anxiety it is causing, they will have to resolve it for you, either by simply looking on a computer system, or how about inconveniencing said officer on his days off by giving him a ring to ask.

He might not have been in a position to ring the OP back, just like any other person at work they're allowed days off.

Reading this thread I do wonder if some of the posters avoid stepping on cracks in the pavement.

[Retro.74]

Greendubber said:

He might not have been in a position to ring the OP back, just like any other person at work they're allowed days off.

Reading this thread I do wonder if some of the posters avoid stepping on cracks in the pavement.

Maybe he couldn't ring back at the time, but if its nothing to worry about then a 30 second call before going off duty to offer some reassurance, or ask someone else too. Of course everybody is allowed days off, but most try tie up the simple loose ends when they are about to have 7 days off.

Edited by Retro.74 on Sunday 26th June 11:59

[Greendubber]

Retro.74 said:

Greendubber said:

He might not have been in a position to ring the OP back, just like any other person at work they're allowed days off.

Reading this thread I do wonder if some of the posters avoid stepping on cracks in the pavement.

Maybe he couldn't ring back at the time, but if its nothing to worry about then a 30 second call before going off duty to offer some reassurance, or ask someone else too. Of course everybody is allowed days off, but most try tie up loose ends when they are about to have 7 days off.

You're presuming they're finishing on time and not stuck under a pile of jobs from overnight to square away before they leave an hour or so late.

The officer is more than likely the officer in charge of whatever the house call was regarding, someone else might not know anything about the matter.

This probably needs taking at face matter than some of the paranoid idiocity thats being suggested. The OP called and was told he'll be spoken to when the officer is back on duty, it really is as simple as that.

[Retro.74]

Greendubber said:

Retro.74 said:

Greendubber said:

He might not have been in a position to ring the OP back, just like any other person at work they're allowed days off.

Reading this thread I do wonder if some of the posters avoid stepping on cracks in the pavement.

Maybe he couldn't ring back at the time, but if its nothing to worry about then a 30 second call before going off duty to offer some reassurance, or ask someone else too. Of course everybody is allowed days off, but most try tie up loose ends when they are about to have 7 days off.

You're presuming they're finishing on time and not stuck under a pile of jobs from overnight to square away before they leave an hour or so late.

The officer is more than likely the officer in charge of whatever the house call was regarding, someone else might not know anything about the matter.

This probably needs taking at face matter than some of the paranoid idiocity thats being suggested. The OP called and was told he'll be spoken to when the officer is back on duty, it really is as simple as that.

I'm not presuming anything, and yes this is one of the jobs that needed squaring away before going off duty, by him or colleague, with a quick 30 second call from one of them, no doubt they also had other stuff to do as well, but im sure the overtime claim would go in after the first 30 mins.

[Fermit]

Greendubber said:

Retro.74 said:

Greendubber said:

He might not have been in a position to ring the OP back, just like any other person at work they're allowed days off.

Reading this thread I do wonder if some of the posters avoid stepping on cracks in the pavement.

Maybe he couldn't ring back at the time, but if its nothing to worry about then a 30 second call before going off duty to offer some reassurance, or ask someone else too. Of course everybody is allowed days off, but most try tie up loose ends when they are about to have 7 days off.

You're presuming they're finishing on time and not stuck under a pile of jobs from overnight to square away before they leave an hour or so late.

The officer is more than likely the officer in charge of whatever the house call was regarding, someone else might not know anything about the matter.

This probably needs taking at face matter than some of the paranoid idiocity thats being suggested. The OP called and was told he'll be spoken to when the officer is back on duty, it really is as simple as that.

OK GD. Knowing your profession, let's illustrate with a comparable stress inducing scenario from another sector. 'You' missed a call just before midnight, and after a quick search you ascertain it's from a debt collection agency (and you had got in a pickle with some borrowing) you call back during office hours to be told 'Oh, that's Fred, he's off for a week, and only he can deal with it'

Would you be happy with that treatment, and to be left stressed AF for a week wondering what it was about?

[Greendubber]

Fermit said:

Greendubber said:

Retro.74 said:

Greendubber said:

He might not have been in a position to ring the OP back, just like any other person at work they're allowed days off.

Reading this thread I do wonder if some of the posters avoid stepping on cracks in the pavement.

Maybe he couldn't ring back at the time, but if its nothing to worry about then a 30 second call before going off duty to offer some reassurance, or ask someone else too. Of course everybody is allowed days off, but most try tie up loose ends when they are about to have 7 days off.

You're presuming they're finishing on time and not stuck under a pile of jobs from overnight to square away before they leave an hour or so late.

The officer is more than likely the officer in charge of whatever the house call was regarding, someone else might not know anything about the matter.

This probably needs taking at face matter than some of the paranoid idiocity thats being suggested. The OP called and was told he'll be spoken to when the officer is back on duty, it really is as simple as that.

OK GD. Knowing your profession, let's illustrate with a comparable stress inducing scenario from another sector. 'You' missed a call just before midnight, and after a quick search you ascertain it's from a debt collection agency (and you had got in a pickle with some borrowing) you call back during office hours to be told 'Oh, that's Fred, he's off for a week, and only he can deal with it'

Would you be happy with that treatment, and to be left stressed AF for a week wondering what it was about?

Yes, there's no way I'd spend my week being stressed out about it as I know I've not got any debt with any one and all my finances are in order.
Much the same if the police came to my door and I knew I hadn't done anything. It could be something as simple as 'we're investigating an incident and your car was seen driving past on CCTV, did you see anything or have you got a dash camera?'

No need for anyone's wives to hide behind sofas, make complaints or other general panic. If it was an urgent matter that the police want the OP locked up for he'd have been scooped up by now. There's nothing to suggest the OP had got into a pickle with anything so it's a fairly irrelevant comparison.

[Bigends]

Greendubber said:

Retro.74 said:

Greendubber said:

He might not have been in a position to ring the OP back, just like any other person at work they're allowed days off.

Reading this thread I do wonder if some of the posters avoid stepping on cracks in the pavement.

Maybe he couldn't ring back at the time, but if its nothing to worry about then a 30 second call before going off duty to offer some reassurance, or ask someone else too. Of course everybody is allowed days off, but most try tie up loose ends when they are about to have 7 days off.

You're presuming they're finishing on time and not stuck under a pile of jobs from overnight to square away before they leave an hour or so late.

The officer is more than likely the officer in charge of whatever the house call was regarding, someone else might not know anything about the matter.

This probably needs taking at face matter than some of the paranoid idiocity thats being suggested. The OP called and was told he'll be spoken to when the officer is back on duty, it really is as simple as that.

But..at least leave a direct contact number or email address - dont just leave the OP hanging and wondering for a week - totally unnecessary - as was the midnight knock. Quietly Leave the note by all means. If its that non-urgent - surely itll wait until the officer is next on duty at a more reasonable hour

Edited by Bigends on Sunday 26th June 12:31

[monthou]

It's not okay to ring someone's doorbell at 11.45 without good reason.
If it can wait a week it's not a good enough reason.

Unless the OP or his wife is a wrong un of course, in which case crack on.
The 'No big deal' posts from serving police here are pretty tone deaf imo.

[Greendubber]

Bigends said:

Greendubber said:

Retro.74 said:

Greendubber said:

He might not have been in a position to ring the OP back, just like any other person at work they're allowed days off.

Reading this thread I do wonder if some of the posters avoid stepping on cracks in the pavement.

Maybe he couldn't ring back at the time, but if its nothing to worry about then a 30 second call before going off duty to offer some reassurance, or ask someone else too. Of course everybody is allowed days off, but most try tie up loose ends when they are about to have 7 days off.

You're presuming they're finishing on time and not stuck under a pile of jobs from overnight to square away before they leave an hour or so late.

The officer is more than likely the officer in charge of whatever the house call was regarding, someone else might not know anything about the matter.

This probably needs taking at face matter than some of the paranoid idiocity thats being suggested. The OP called and was told he'll be spoken to when the officer is back on duty, it really is as simple as that.

But..at least leave a direct contact number or email address - dont just leave the OP hanging and wondering for a week - totally unnecessary - as was the midnight knock. Quietly Leave the note by all means.

Was there any kind of light on etc? The door was rang once and a contact card left. Anyone would think he nearly kicked the door off....