worried about the children

zaksmum

A single mum of two lives near me and tonight I've seen two men sitting on the doorstep so drunk they could hardly stand, while the eldest child, aged about 5, ran up and down the road in his pyjamas and bare feet unsupervised at 10.30pm!

The house is always full of people and the noise is horrendous. The lady next door has complained to the mum that the kids are running amok and the screaming and swearing all hours of the night is making her ill. The police are in attendance most days too.

The younger child is about 3 and was shouting and waving from an open upstairs window. The mum is pleasant enough to neighbours but obviously she mustn't be coping too well, although the kids are clean and well enough cared for.

I do believe in minding my own business...but tonight I'm wondering if I should get in touch with the authorities - or just butt out?

snozberry

I'd ring the authorities tbh. Would you want it on your conscious if anything untoward happened and you did nothing? Having said that, if the police are there most days then the children would have been flagged up. Wouldn't harm to give them a ring.

msb5262

Hi OP,

I think you need to ring the local police station and just tell them what you have seen asap. Describe the scenario and say you are concerned about the children's safety and wellbeing.

If you don't wish to give your name, you can choose to remain anonymous but I honestly think you should alert someone now - as the poster above said, you don't want this on your conscience if something awful happens.

Also the mother may be at risk if the house is full of people drinking...it's impossible to know if she is being put upon by others and can't change the situation. Please just report it and then you will know you've done what you could.

HTH
MsB

*Louise*

I would ring, I would worry about the safety of the children.

Alikay

Yes you should ring your Social Services children's and young peoples dept. tomorrow. They may decide that despite the chaotic lifestyle and apparent lack of supervision the level of care is adequate, so there may not be any action taken, but the family set-up needs looking at IMO.

thegirlintheattic

Call social services or the NSPCC

red_devil

get in touch with ss. The neighbour wont know its you.

Torry_Quine

I agree with the others. This needs to be reported to someone tonight.

daska

Agreed, hope you did this, if not please do, there will be a line open 24/7 and if by any chance SS are engaged ring your local police.

snookey

Iv a different approach why not ask if you could be of any help. Maybe someone to talk to may be what the mother needs. Not everyone has someone they can turn to and it may be that people are taking advantage of her.

lilac_lady

If the people have been drinking I wouldn't approach them. I'd call Social Services or the police in case the children are not safe.