Would you give money to a child at the door?

Ivrytwr3

Car washing for money? - plausible.

Car washing for mum's birthday present? - i honestly don't think so.

For me, when they then asked for a 'donation' - i immediately thought that a grown up had rehearsed the young boy to say that - i can't see a 7 year old comingup with a story like this.

faerie~spangles

... Also could have been a ruse to find out how many folk were at home.

thatgirlsam

Me and my brother used to knock on doors to offer car washing!

We were well brought up. We made a few quid during the school holidays - this was back in the day when people weren't suspicious of everything though.

surfboard2

I think you did the right thing OP.

I remember a couple of years ago around Christmas time, i answered the door to a young boy singing a Christmas carol. His father stood at the top of my drive and didn't say a word at all.

When the boy stopped singing i said something like, "aw, how sweet, thank you." It was all quite awkward. I knew they weren't from this road as i know all the kids who live down here so i was suspicious as to why they were knocking on doors here. The young boy seemed a bit embarrassed and just stood there when he had finished. We always have snacks and stuff in our house so i asked my Mum to get some chocolate and we just handed over that.

Throughout all that, the Father (i'm assuming it was the boy's father) said nothing at all... not even a "thank you," which i found odd.

Anyway, i'd never hand over money at the door unless it was to someone i know.

Lexxi

miss_independent wrote: »

ETA: I think what made things worse for me also is that every parent in this town is aware that there is a ring of wealthy businessmen who groom young girls for sex offering food and drugs as well as money in return. They target vulnerable girls from the estate. Several have disappeared without a trace, never to be seen again. Charges have never been brought against the men successfully because they leave no evidence behind but everyone in this town knows it happens. So to allow your kids to knock on doors asking for money is pretty damn stupid, especially in this town.

Maybe it was a sting, the police are now investigating these more seriously and you or someone on your street is a suspect.

On a more realistic note there were young teenagers knocking on doors asking for their ball back, when you went to get the ball they went into your house, taking money, phones or just keys to return later. Maybe you were to fill up the bucket whilst they got your keys? I would possibly log it with the police in case it is sinister as if someone reports missing kids or missing valuables their movements can be tracked a little better

miss_independent

Lexxi wrote: »

Maybe it was a sting, the police are now investigating these more seriously and you or someone on your street is a suspect.

On a more realistic note there were young teenagers knocking on doors asking for their ball back, when you went to get the ball they went into your house, taking money, phones or just keys to return later. Maybe you were to fill up the bucket whilst they got your keys? I would possibly log it with the police in case it is sinister as if someone reports missing kids or missing valuables their movements can be tracked a little better

I can safely say I wouldn't be a suspect :rotfl:.

The police force know the exact men involved and the businesses they use as a cover (local takeaways and restaurants), they just can't find any solid evidence to
warrant prosecution (i.e bodies never found, living victims are often too afraid to come forward). Surely it would be unethical to use children in a "sting"?

ETA: I did find the whole bucket and sponge thing a bit odd as you need more than just plain water to wash a car and one sponge for two kids? Hmm.

supergran2007

The strangest one we've had was a typed note, pushed through our door, from a young boy, who was asking for donations towards his hobby:eek: ( he wanted to buy a moto x bike, but it was too expensive !!
He also stated when he would come back to collect the requested donation !!
I don't mind at all giving to a worthy cause, & often do. I would gladly give a charity donation to a child that I knew, but this I felt was the height of cheek!!!!:mad:

OP - My opinion is you did the right thing

andygb

Little boy asking for money - underage girl skulking close by dressed inappropriately.

Politely get rid of - shut door.


End of!

CKhalvashi

supergran2007 wrote: »

The strangest one we've had was a typed note, pushed through our door, from a young boy, who was asking for donations towards his hobby:eek: ( he wanted to buy a moto x bike, but it was too expensive !!
He also stated when he would come back to collect the requested donation !!
I don't mind at all giving to a worthy cause, & often do. I would gladly give a charity donation to a child that I knew, but this I felt was the height of cheek!!!!:mad:

OP - My opinion is you did the right thing

I'd imagine that the police would have had it on the back of a truck within a few days, too. We're in the lucky position of having a car that (legally - she's a doctor and is trained to use them) has blue lights in the grill/dashboard/bumpers/rear lights, and does on call 3-4 nights a week.

She was round here the other night, kids came roaring up/down the road, so I went outside, turned the car on, waited for them to come back, then pulled out and put the lights on. We didn't hear from them again that night! 'W' reg Focus occasionally can be good for things like that.

CK

MarilynMonroe_2

I reckon the 13 yr old girl set him up to get money.