Neighbours

While I'd always be wary of intervention in person, if I heard something like that, I'd call the police...you can always say that you'd rather not give your details.
Better to act and be wrong rather than not do anything and someone being hurt or worse.

If someone sounded terrified to me I'd ring the police

No you did not do the right thing. You took the cowards way out.

Next could be a murder and what then? Would you feel guilty?

karmalady

No you did not do the right thing. You took the cowards way out.

Next could be a murder and what then? Would you feel guilty?

Exactly. There are too many people who walk on by.

Not very neighbourly just to ignore. Weren’t you worried about what the consequences might be?

Of course you should phone the police.

Anonymously report to the police!

I am interested to know if it is possible to report to the police anonymously. Many years ago I tried to report constant loud music deep into the night from a house in the lane next to our house and I was asked for my name and address.

I think it is.

I was baby sitting for my daughter in her Parisian flat one evening, a man shouting at a lady was so bad I called the police. They came. I don’t know whether it was due to my call or from another in the building. They spoke to the man for some time to calm matters down.
Better to call if in doubt as you would never forgive yourself if something seriously went wrong.

‘When in doubt, shout’

If it happens again call the police as a matter of urgency. If other neighbours also make the call so much the better.

The couple might be embarrassed but that’s preferable to the alternatives.

There have been so many murder investigation series on TV where people have heard screams but did nothing and someone was found dead. If the woman sounded terrified and she was screaming, why on earth would you ignore it?

sassenach
You ask why on earth would you ignore it
Because her neighbours advised her too. 🤬

I don't understand your angry emoji to my post petra
Are you saying she did the right thing doing nothing because her neighbour advised it? Your previous post was saying "too many people walk on by"

I have been that woman.
I screamed and screamed for neighnours to phone the police.
I was 21 and terrified.
No-one helped me.
Shame on them.
Shame on you.

Oh Fleur, much sympathy to you.

I would have phoned the police you could save someone's life .

Thanks for sharing Fleur. I am sure that will convince people to do the right thing.There is too much of this do not get involved mentality. Why ever not? I would have been stuck if strangers had not come to my aid when I fell over. “ No man is an island”

One night a woman screaming outside my 5ft garden fence , a man shouting at her , couldn't see anything but called 999 they arrived quickly . It was a domestic but he was dominant and nasty . Police took her away to protect her . But I'd never turn away .

It was a domestic
I hate this phrase.
It used to be used to "excuse" violence.

I'm sure you didn't mean this - but let's try to remember that abuse is still abuse.

I heard this phrase a lot in the past.

If anyone wants to know the statistics behind Domestic Abuse (in England and Wales), here's a link

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwalesoverview/november2024