Blood on a car - what would you do?

[lizzylemon]

It sounds extreme but ring 999 - you'll speak to an operator who'll ask the details and then probably give you the police HQ number which will be maned 24 hours.


Ive had to do this before (not for same reason) and it's fine. No one has go about non-emergency calls because you don't know it's not involved with an emergency and the HQ will send someone round from which ever police station as and when they see fit

[Jeanied]

Thanks for all the advice folks. The car has been parked on the street, bloodied wing facing outwards, in bright sunshine - all day. I really don't think my neigbour is hiding anything. He only lives 2 doors down from me in the terrace, and he's at home now with his Mrs and little girl. I have decided that discretion is the better part of valour at this stage- the most likely scenario is that he was working last night and hit either a deer or a fox. I will mention it to my safer neighbourhoods officer when I see him, with the car details and the guy's address, just in case, but I don't think they would thank me for an emergency call or a crime report. Sadly our boys in blue are just a tad busy here and they really emphasise not contacting them unless it is a real emergency and the crime is live.

[binley100]

Surely they should have a neighbourhood team including PCSO's for non-emergency calls.

[weekendwellies]

I would report it to Crime-stoppers.
Say you have noticed a suspicious car parked in the street that appears to have been involved in an accident.
Mention what appears to be blood and hand prints on it and the dent.
You don't have to give your details or own to the fact it is a neighbours car.
We had a car parked in our street, it had been abandoned and turned out to be stolen. It happens.

[ladylottie]

It sounds extreme but ring 999 - you'll speak to an operator who'll ask the details and then probably give you the police HQ number which will be maned 24 hours.


Ive had to do this before (not for same reason) and it's fine. No one has go about non-emergency calls because you don't know it's not involved with an emergency and the HQ will send someone round from which ever police station as and when they see fit

I would agree with this. You really MUST report it as soon as possible and not let any more days go past without reporting this incident. You are assuming that this is all above board (and perhaps it is) but to be perfectly honest, this is not for you to decide. That's what the police are for. And it could be related to something very serious indeed and you are in effect with holding vital information! Dial 999 and report it.

[Jeanied]

Well, folks - all details submitted to crimestoppers so it is over to them. Thanks again for the input - this bothered me and it would have been something I could have chewed over with my late OH. * sigh.
Now I've got the Vine!

[glasgowdan]

What interfering neighbours you all must be!


Had he hit someone and ran he would have washed it off. Had he hit someone and been reported/dealt with he would be aware if it and been told to leave it.

Had he hit an animal (most likely case... when you hit a person they don't instantly leave bloodied fingerprints which obviously means he touched the blood himself; ie they are his fingerprints) then he's got a big bill to pay to fix the car.

[Nicos]

were you there glasgowdan????...so you suppose the opposite!!!
Ah well-If it had been a drunken hit and run then it certainly needed to be reported.
I can see your point though, although I think I'd have reported it- there are far too many drunken hit and runs these days ( sometimes the driver hasn't even noticed)...and there could be someone lying in hospital suffering.

I worked in Intensive Care many years ago-yup- far too many hit and runs even then!

[zazen999]

Glasgowdan...I disagree; turning away from things that patently look and feel wrong is in itself - wrong. I'd rather do the right thing and report it and be proved wrong than ignore it.

And what's so wrong about reporting it? If he's done nothing bad then there will be no comeback.

[Jeanied]

I'm sure you are right, Glasgowdan - but it bothered me at the time so I did the sensible thing and asked the vine! As for being a nosy neighbour, guilty as charged. But then, I do look after sundry fish, cats, houseplants etc for a few of 'em when they go away!

[weekendwellies]

What interfering neighbours you all must be!


Had he hit someone and ran he would have washed it off. Had he hit someone and been reported/dealt with he would be aware if it and been told to leave it.

Had he hit an animal (most likely case... when you hit a person they don't instantly leave bloodied fingerprints which obviously means he touched the blood himself; ie they are his fingerprints) then he's got a big bill to pay to fix the car.

Glasgowdan, you are entitled to your opinion, as are the rest of us. If it had been a member of my family who had been hit, I would want the driver found and prosecuted. The only way the justice system has of finding these things out is by ordinary people speaking up when they are suspicious. Then it is up to the police to follow up with their enquiries.

I'm sure you are right, Glasgowdan - but it bothered me at the time so I did the sensible thing and asked the vine! As for being a nosy neighbour, guilty as charged. But then, I do look after sundry fish, cats, houseplants etc for a few of 'em when they go away!

Jeanied, I am with you on this, it is good to know their are caring Neighbours out there who are willing to stick their head above the parapet and do what is right.

[lizzylemon]

If by stopping when I see someone hurt, asking people if they need help when they're obviously struggling and voicing my concern when something seems wrong then guilty as charged.

Maybe if a few more people were 'interfering', kids wouldn't be running wild, OAP's wouldn't be scared to leave their houses and the newspapers wouldn't be filled with stabbings and shootings on a daily basis.

[Nicos]

It's interesting that over here, it's the law for you to stop and help someone who's car has broken down by the side of the road!
Can you imagine that happening in the UK????

[Flummery]

"All that is needed for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing."
Don't know who said it but it's worth quoting.

[zazen999]

Had he hit someone and ran he would have washed it off.

Not necessarily - he might just be stupid.