Crimewatch - LIVE at my flat! & Have you been a victim?

by Crumpet 43 Replies latest jw experiences

  • Crumpet
    Crumpet

    So this is my 7th night living in my new place. Last night I was getting ready to watch Crimewatch on BBC1 when I hear some strange noises out the back. I take a look - there's two men breaking in to the flat next door but one - breaking the glass and then climbing in.

    Shortly after whilst I am still wondering if I really saw that - I am making a cup of tea and look out of my kitchen window and see a dubious character in a baseball cap trying car doors then stomping away and then coming back. I call the police who, as the recorded message says "are experiencing an unusually high number of calls this evening and please be patient" - anyway whilst I hold the creepy car jacker comes right up to my window and glares as I freeze still hoping he can't see me in the dark of my kitchen! But possibly the light on my mobile gave me away even though I ducked behind the sink when it lit up as the police operator finally spoke to me.

    So the police turned up but it was too late to catch anyone.

    Makes me feel a tad vulnerable - I guess I have to give up sleeping with my curtains open. Least I have nothing worth nicking.

    Whats the crime like where you live? I'd be really interested to know how many times you have been victim of a crime - what ages you were when they happened and a bit about the nature of the crime. The reason I ask is that I just started a bachelors degree and the first part is about victims of crime - and how geography, race, religion, sex, age, lifestyle, income make you more or less vulnerable.

    Doesn't matter if its just a break in to your car or something more serious. If you are willing to share the information may be really useful to me. Also did you report it to the police? If not why not?

    Be really grateful for your help - thank you!

  • rebel8
    rebel8

    Hi Crumpy--how scary!

    I can't remember how many times. I lived in an inner city for a number of years & there was always something going on--break ins mostly. I always called the police.

    Can you get a gun?

  • Leolaia
    Leolaia

    When I was 18, I witnessed a thief break into a house. I walked past and walked down to the shopping center a few miles away and called 911. By that time the thief had left the house but he was nearby and when the police came, he threw the jewelry into the lagoon. Divers later recovered the property. I had lunch at McDonalds at the shopping center, and then walked back home and saw that the police were still at the house, so I walked in and told them that I was the witness. The police had me give a statement and then they took me around in the police car to identify the suspect. I gave a positive identification, they arrested him, and then a few weeks later I had to testify in court....he went to jail, the houseowners were really grateful to get their jewelry back, and I got some gift certificates as a reward. :)

  • megsmomma
    megsmomma

    That sounds very scarey. Can you get mace there? I would have something handy in case someone tries anything with you. Also, get some really big "man shoes" and put them in by your front door.

    I did live in a "shady" area once. I awloke to head off to work one morning and all 4 tires on my car were slashed. I called the poloce and they asked if I had enemies.....EEEEKKKKK! I didn't think so, and they said there were teens in the area doing that sort of thing. I never felt comfortable there again though.

  • megsmomma
    megsmomma

    PS...Is a "Flat" the same as an "apartment"?

  • greendawn
    greendawn

    Yes appartment is flat in the UK though the word appartment is also used occasionally. I wonder what gift certificates are. I had a break into my flat while I was on holidays, they only stole a camera, I suppose they were after jewellery and cash which I didn't keep there. Also had the car broken into in Italy again there was nothing for them to take. And my passport got stolen in Bulgaria.

  • Crumpet
    Crumpet

    Hi megsmomma - yes a flat is the same as an apartment and I am on the ground floor, which is the same as the first floor to you I think!

    Can you get a gun?

    Rebel8 - you forgot people dont have guns here - only the criminals and thats only the real hard core ones. Gun crime here is rare enough to make national newspapers when it happens.

    The best weapon here is keeping your wits about you and never looking aimless of lost. Always look confident and be purposeful.

  • juni
    juni

    Yes. Had our house broke into by a JW teen. Stole money while we were at the mtgs. Discouraged from reporting it cause it would look bad for the congo.

    My daughter was gang raped. Very sad story. Has had female problems since - the bastards.

    Juni

  • megsmomma
    megsmomma

    Wow Juni...That is awful. I am so sorry for your daughter.

    Greendawn...Gift certificates are something you can give to someone from a store, so they can go and pick something out that they want.(you buy it for a certain ammount, and they can spend that ammount at the store)

  • BluesBrother
    BluesBrother

    Glad you are OK Crumpet. I watched Crimewatch too .. it makes you think.... No personal experiences, thankfully, only to people that I know. Perhaps Rebel8's suggestion is tempting....

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