Background: I live in a council flat. The whole estate is managed by a
TMO (Tenant management organisation). The manager of the TMO told us
that if there is any antisocial behaviour or crime, she want to know
that personally because (paraphrasing) the Police may not be very motivated.

A few weeks ago, an elderly neighbour was brutally beaten up outside and
his pocket change and shopping were stolen. The same night, most likely
the same gang broke into the local corner shop and stole all the booze
(no money was left inside).

The Police went to the shop and refused to take the video evidence and
the whole matter was archived.

Word of the street is that this gang is nothing but a bunch of junkies
(can I say that or is it offensive?) whose parents live in this estate
(most are over 55 here).

One of these is the child of a neighbour that I know well. This child
knows the code to enter the building and frequently bangs on his/her
parents' door shouting "I need the f...ing money to buy the f...ing gear!".

I am trying to speak to the manager of the TMO in person but she is not available. I have her email address but I fear that this could be used
against me if I don't have evidence that this person is actually
involved with these robberies and violence.

Where do I stand?

SF

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 09/10/2023 11:01, Simon Ferrol wrote:

Background: I live in a council flat. The whole estate is managed by a
TMO (Tenant management organisation). The manager of the TMO told us
that if there is any antisocial behaviour or crime, she want to know
that personally because (paraphrasing) the Police may not be very
motivated.

A few weeks ago, an elderly neighbour was brutally beaten up outside and
his pocket change and shopping were stolen. The same night, most likely
the same gang broke into the local corner shop and stole all the booze
(no money was left inside).

The Police went to the shop and refused to take the video evidence and
the whole matter was archived.

Word of the street is that this gang is nothing but a bunch of junkies
(can I say that or is it offensive?) whose parents live in this estate
(most are over 55 here).

One of these is the child of a neighbour that I know well. This child
knows the code to enter the building and frequently bangs on his/her
parents' door shouting "I need the f...ing money to buy the f...ing gear!".

I am trying to speak to the manager of the TMO in person but she is not available. I have her email address but I fear that this could be used against me if I don't have evidence that this person is actually
involved with these robberies and violence.

Where do I stand?

SF

You say: "I want to cover my backside", but your backside is not exposed
in any way. You have no legal obligation to tell anyone anything about
your thoughts.

What is more, as you say, you have no evidence. So, what useful
information can you give either the police or the building manager?

As far as I can see, your thought process seems to be:

The neighbour may have been robbed by junkies.

The shop may have been robbed by the same junkies.

The neighbour's child seems to be a junkie.

You are connecting all three of these. But, you have no reason to
believe that the neighbour's child is part of the gang. Indeed, would he
really perform criminal acts quite so close to home?

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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1) I don't want to report it to the Police, but the manager said she
wants to be informed of whatever happens because she doesn't trust the
Police. On one hand, if I say nothing, she may think I have something to
hide or I am in cahoots with the possible culprits. On the other hand,
like you said, I may just be assuming too much.

2) You say "Indeed, would he really perform criminal acts quite so
close to home?"

Because they know the place well and they know these residents are
elderly, they are not strong enough to defend themselves and they like
to keep cash with them, unlike the youngsters who carry cards.

GB:

On 09/10/2023 11:01, Simon Ferrol wrote:

Background: I live in a council flat. The whole estate is managed by a
TMO (Tenant management organisation). The manager of the TMO told us
that if there is any antisocial behaviour or crime, she want to know
that personally because (paraphrasing) the Police may not be very
motivated.

A few weeks ago, an elderly neighbour was brutally beaten up outside
and his pocket change and shopping were stolen. The same night, most
likely the same gang broke into the local corner shop and stole all
the booze (no money was left inside).

The Police went to the shop and refused to take the video evidence and
the whole matter was archived.

Word of the street is that this gang is nothing but a bunch of junkies
(can I say that or is it offensive?) whose parents live in this estate
(most are over 55 here).

One of these is the child of a neighbour that I know well. This child
knows the code to enter the building and frequently bangs on his/her
parents' door shouting "I need the f...ing money to buy the f...ing
gear!".

I am trying to speak to the manager of the TMO in person but she is
not available. I have her email address but I fear that this could be
used against me if I don't have evidence that this person is actually
involved with these robberies and violence.

Where do I stand?

SF

You say: "I want to cover my backside", but your backside is not exposed
in any way.  You have no legal obligation to tell anyone anything about
your thoughts.

What is more, as you say, you have no evidence. So, what useful
information can you give either the police or the building manager?

As far as I can see, your thought process seems to be:

The neighbour may have been robbed by junkies.

The shop may have been robbed by the same junkies.

The neighbour's child seems to be a junkie.

You are connecting all three of these. But, you have no reason to
believe that the neighbour's child is part of the gang. Indeed, would he really perform criminal acts quite so close to home?

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Simon Ferrol wrote:

Where do I stand?

I'd say you haven't got enough evidence to "do something", so your
safest option is "do nothing".

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 09/10/2023 14:50, Simon Ferrol wrote:

1) I don't want to report it to the Police, but the manager said she
wants to be informed of whatever happens because she doesn't trust the Police. On one hand, if I say nothing, she may think I have something to
hide or I am in cahoots with the possible culprits. On the other hand,
like you said, I may just be assuming too much.

I really don't see why she would suspect you of being in cahoots.
Nevertheless, you could write her something bland like:

"You asked to be informed about any crimes on the estate. I just wanted
to make sure you are aware that <neighbour> was beaten up and robbed,
and the shop was broken into."

I wouldn't say anything about your neighbour's child in connection with
the two crimes, as you have zero evidence.

You could complain that he creates a disturbance, but I think that's a
bad idea.

2) You say "Indeed, would he  really perform criminal acts quite so
close to home?"

Because they know the place well and they know these residents are
elderly, they are not strong enough to defend themselves and they like
to keep cash with them, unlike the youngsters who carry cards.

Okay, fair comment, but that's not evidence.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)