neighborhood safety concern

double_mummy

thanks pastures new i will remember that is she returns

gobbeldygook i see where you are coming from thanks

Tropez

It's a tricky one really. I think the primary point is whether you feel safe for yourself and your family?

In all likelihood, this won't happen again. The woman in question is likely looking at prison time (destruction of property, possession of an offensive weapon, resisting arrest, unlawful wounding, threatening, anti-social behaviour etc.). Now she probably won't get four years but she'll probably get long enough that if she's renting, her landlord will have more than enough time to get her the f- out of there.

But it's down to you, really. If you think you're the type of person who will be concerned over those weird noises many of us hear at night, or worrying constantly about your kids then it might not hurt to move.

If you can put this behind you as the one-off freakshow that it most probably is, then I'd stay and carry on as normal because the loony will almost certainly be a guest of Her Majesty for a while.

AnnieO1234

Bravo first of all to your husband for standing up and doing something that could have ended extremely tragically if this woman had attacked a child.

Second of all, I truly think you're worrying too much. I know you will be shaken by what has happened, even more so the consequences of what might have happened to your husband. However, it sounds as though this woman has some sort of mental illness, or perhaps a breakdown of some kind and this is just a tragic event.

The chances of another tragic event happening anywhere you might live remain the same, just because you've witnessed it where you are doesn't mean it will happen again, nor does moving mean that you won't have something happen again.

May I suggest that, if you are really bothered by all this, you speak with your GP about anxiety, be that for short term medication, long term counselling, whatever might be needed.

Xxx

Melonade

Hope your husbands hand is ok

Personally I would stay put. You've said yourself it's usually a nice area, nice enough to have a neighbourhood BBQ. The family have gone now so after all the talk has died down it should return to normal pretty quickly. Hopefully the kids can get back to enjoying a lovely summer hols now they've gone

It sounds nicer than the area I lived in 2 years ago... possible murder, police tasering a machete nutter, street fights, neighbours fighting and arguing and 7 cars and a dog van to arrest one idiot wannabe drug dealer. This was on a weekly basis and the police drove through 3 times a day, at least!! I was still really sad when we moved and I still miss it.

double_mummy

yeah hubby is fine he got strapped up and went to work as normal i am proud of him but still worried as i know he is that kid of guy and he will jump in if he thinks he needs to and because he is a rather large guy he thinks he is invincible

just been out in the street with the kids had a bit of a chat with some of the other mums and they are all worried too normally we have 2 or 3 of the mums and dads out with the kids we have agreed to have a couple more out when the kids are out over the next couple of weeks - it works quite well for us all the kids know pretty much all the parents on the street and we leave the front doors open while they are out so one of the mums will come in and say oh your little one is doing XYZ or this one has fallen over etc it would be such a shame to lose that

im not bothered about it for me its the kids im worried about seeing something like that or being around if it kicked off again

Violetta_2

That sound's pretty scary, glad your hubby is on the mend, would it be worth speaking to the local police about what happened, they might be able to put your mind at rest as to what's happening with machete woman, they might not be with data protection & all but I think after what happened to your husband there's no harm in asking.

double_mummy

they have been wandering through pretty regularly (the police)

the family arent back but i did let the kids out the front and went and relaxed with some other the other mums no water fight today though

sussexchick

I just wanted to reassure you that episodes like this, are often very rare. I work in the mental health sector and clearly this female has experienced a psychotic episode. She will more than likely be referred and sectioned under the mental health act and receive treatment for her mental illness. Please do not be too quick to up sticks and move, it is highly unlikely that she will return, and if she does, she will be monitored closely.

double_mummy

the family is back minus the woman today the kids have been out playing happily today

everything has settled down just once or twice a day visits from the police wandering through and i am a bit less worried now

thanks for all your great advice everyone

PS hubbys hand is healing nicely and he is loving sharing his war story with his friends

whitewing

Sounds like your husband is a real gem.

Make sure your kids have a plan of action in case anything kicks off in the future (not just the woman).

And enjoy your summer.