Blood on a car - what would you do?

[Jeanied]

My neigbour's car clearly has been involved in some kind of accident. The front LHS wing has been dented and there is blood on the paintwork and some finger streaks. I don't know my neighbour at all as he recently moved in - the car is a private taxi - so I don't want to get too nosy and ask him. Plus I'm not sure his English is up to much conversation so there is no way I could ask subtly.

What, if anything, should I do?

[FionaH]

Report it to the police? If he has done nothing wrong then theres no harm done.........

[OllieMartin]

Report it to the police? If he has done nothing wrong then theres no harm done.........

Seconded ....

[quark1]

Agree - and it may be a good idea to take a pic or two just in case he starts to clean off the 'evidence' in a panic.

[Pies]

taxi-accident?-blood on car

Got report it its bad enough but its a TAXI

[zazen999]

I wouldn't say 'my neighbour's car' but that 'I saw a taxi that was covered in blood and am concerned so I took the number plate down'. I think you can report these things on line now...

[Jeanied]

Well, folks - I sort of knew this wouldn't be straightforward. The Met Police phonelines are too busy to take my call unless I dial 999 which would not be appropriate. They direct me to report online - but the only option is to report a crime online and I have no crime to report. My local police stations are all closed on Saturdays (and most other days as far as I can see!)
I really have no subtle way of standing in the street photographing the car - and it has been standing like that since this morning in bright sunlight so he is not concealing anything - so probably he is not fearing anything either. I have no way of knowing.

[leah]

he might have fit a dear? or were they definately finger marks? No harm in reporting it, although if he had done something and done a runner, I would have thought he'd have cleaned it off sharpish?

Or he could have hit someone and it may be being dealt with properly already and he may be into much shock to go and clean it?

[quark1]

You may not have a crime as such to report - but you have a vehicle in a suspicious condition on your doorstep. The driver may 'just' not know he has been in a collision if he had been distracted at the time - perhaps a troublesome passenger on a Friday night.

I wouldn't be too worried about being 'subtle' taking any photos - unless this bunch are of doubtful character.

No luck with the police? - Guess you could try the press - or even see if there are any reports of hit and runs overnight on a local website.

How typical that the driver has little conversational English......I MUST NOT say anything further.

[OllieMartin]

To be honest, if it was a crime he'd surely have washed it off straight away.
Best to mention it to the police, but logic suggests there's a rational explanation.

[Jeanied]

Leah - he could have hit an animal - there are only a few smears of blood and the dent by the wheel arch - but they do look like finger smears. I've dug around on the online reporting site and the categories are theft, pickpocket, criminal damage, theft from motor vehicle and hate crime. Nothing that would fit.
I don't think he has done a runner with the car left there like that.

One answer could be for me to hand in the number and make of the car to our safer neighbourhoods team - one of whom will be at a meeting I'm at, next Wednesday. But that may mean they go and interview him and he will know his neigbours are reporting him. He may not take kindly to that, depending on what the police 'back home' for him are like.

[Two_Sheds]

They direct me to report online - but the only option is to report a crime online and I have no crime to report.

report it online anyway. It's up to the police how they categorise it.

I really have no subtle way of standing in the street photographing the car

Mobile phone camera? Pretend to be texting.

If not, walk past with a bag of something (and a camera tucked in your hand ready to shoot).
Drop the bag and with your back to his house, quickly take a pic while you pretend to be picking up the bag.

(I'm been watching too much The Real Hustle, me)

[Bagpuss]

Hi J
What about ringing crimestppers ?

Fight crime - Support the charity Crimestoppers - Most Wanted criminals - Call anonymously - Fraud | Crimestoppers UK

[Brengirl]

I would be concerned too like you Jeanied. Is your neighbour an owner driver Taxi or does he drive for someone else. Is there a phone number on the vehicle. If so, ring that. Not sure what I would do. Say nothing and do nothing until I am asked. buk buk baaaak

[Nicos]

Do you have a Homewatch coordinator??
They should have direct contact numbers to report various crimes- such as one in progress at that moment/terrorist activities etc.
If you haven't, it might be worth driving to a road with a sign up and knock at a door and ask who their co-ordinator is. They should be able to help you- if not, then they're not doing their job properly.