What is it that makes some people think they can go into another person’s house and take?
What makes them think it is ok to do that? To walk down someone’s drive, someone they know nothing about, break into their home and take their pick of their possessions?
And how can they think it’s ok to do that when that person is upstairs asleep?
When a child is upstairs asleep?
How is that ever an ok thing to do?
One of my best friends had their house broken into last night. She’s a single mum. She and her small child were asleep upstairs.
They took her laptop, her phone, three bags that they later abandoned outside when they realized they just contained nappies, wipes, the tools of parenthood.
They left fear, anger and a million ‘what if’s.
What if K had woken up?
What if little L had woken up and wandered downstairs?
What if they’d had something more than burglary in mind? There were knives on the kitchen sideboard, a hammer on the table, a million possible weapons that could have been used against a defenseless family.
I am so angry.
I know, I know, sometimes people are that down and out and desperate that they can’t see past their own need. I get that.
And maybe to some, a single mum who has a roof over her head and is able to afford a laptop is fair game, never mind the fact that she is still paying for the laptop through her catalogue, and is using it to study and better herself so that she can change the future she currently sees for herself and that child.
And ok, she’s insured, but she still has £100 excess to pay, new security measures to think about, save for and worry about.
And insurance doesn’t stop sleepless nights.
I really hope the person who did this was in desperate, desperate need, because if not, they are vile and disgusting human beings and I hope one day someone does something to them that leaves them feeling equally used, uncertain and afraid. Maybe then they will understand.
Maybe.
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May 31st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
that is not stealing a load of bread to feed your family… even if they were in desperate need that was so wrong.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Oh, that is so horrible. You end up feeling so violated. I hope they catch the bastages.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
oooooooooooooooooooooh i SO feel a smackdown coming on. pollystyle.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
That really sucks. I think the worst of it would be the thought that they were in your house while you were asleep. That sort of thing stays with you. Poor girl. I really hope she’s OK. She’s lucky to have good friends around like you for support.
Mya x
May 31st, 2008 at 1:02 pm
That’s a very sad story and makes me happy that I have the dog. I have some feeling of safety with him around. Your poor friend, gosh…
May 31st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
“I know, I know, sometimes people are that down and out and desperate that they can’t see past their own need. I get that.”
No. That’s no excuse. I hope they find them and punish them. I’m so sorry about your friend.
May 31st, 2008 at 3:36 pm
This is such a traumatic thing to happen. I feel so sorry for your friend. I have a terrible fear of something like this happening, and these days burglars are very determined even when you think you have good security. I hope the police were helpful, because you hear that they often don’t even want to visit, just give you a crime number!
May 31st, 2008 at 9:16 pm
That just flat out pisses me OFF! I am so sorry to hear about your friend. How scary! And just sad…
May 31st, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I am so, so sorry for your friend. What a horrible and traumatic experience to have, and how much harder on her being a single mum too.
I totally understand you thinking about them maybe being in desperate need…I think I want for people to have a good reason for doing horrible things, because that makes it less scary. Makes it possible to understand on some level. It’s hard to wrap our heads around the idea of someone being that selfish and wicked. Deep down we really don’t want to believe that, I think. At least I know I don’t.
Hope your friend can find some peace in the midst of this, how horribly shocking that must have been for her.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:22 pm
oh my heavens….how horrible. I would be a nervous wreck…and scared out of my mind.
I can’t beleive taht happened. I am sooooooooooo glad they weren’t hurt.
hugs!
June 1st, 2008 at 12:49 am
Ah thanks Jo, your post means a lot. We are okay, i slept with the lights on though and we are off today to invest in some security measures. We can’t afford it but my parents are going to help out because they are worried for us too. I’m a strong cookie as you know as won’t let the bastards get me down! Thankfully possessions can be replaced and the two of us were unharmed. Thanks so much for coming round yesterday and looking after us, you were a star. Love you xxxxx
June 1st, 2008 at 4:46 am
Being robbed is definitely scary. Even if the financial aspect is covered, the remaining fear and insecurity can’t be fixed or replaced. I hope your friend and her daughter are able to get through such a difficult time.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:04 am
I’m so sorry for your friend Jo. There is no excuse for it – they are just greedy evil bastards! Sorry pardon my French but they are!
June 1st, 2008 at 6:26 am
Evil bastard is the right word for them. I think the thing that really sucks is that the fear NEVER goes away. We had 3 men kick in our door so they could get our car keys. We were sitting in the livingroom when they did it. It almost scared me to death and 18 months later I’m STILL scared shitless when I’m home alone. What if they do it again? What was that noise I just heard? Where’s my mobile, I might need it!
Things can be replaced. I hope your friend recovers from this.
June 1st, 2008 at 8:13 am
Cami, you’re right.
Bee, me too. They probably won’t though.
Holl, oh that would be good. I do feel like using the nutcracker on them.
Mya thanks, that’s the bit that got us I think, the fact that while they slept there were bad people in the house. So scary.
Nora you are so right. When we had a dog we knew if anything was in the garden or nearby as she would grump or whine. It definitely made us feel more secure.
Maria, I doubt they will, but I always think what goes around comes around and all that stuff, so they’ll get theirs.
Chrisb, the police were really helpful. They sent someone round to finger print, and then a policeman came round later who was actually really lovely and happy to discuss things with K and advise her on security measures.
Sybil, that’s just it. Scary and sad. She’s doing okay though.
Kim that’s just how I feel. I hate to believe that people can be that vile just for the hell of it. I know some people probably are, but I want people to be redeemable I suppose.
Corey thanks. That is the main thing. They weren’t hurt. Still makes me so mad though.
Jo’s friend, hee hee, love you too, and you are amazing. Hugs.
Lilacspecs, thanks, they’re doing ok. In fact so much better than I would be I think.
Akela, you’re right. They are.
Lindy that’s so awful. I remember you talking about that on Cami’s podcast. Some people are just disgusting human beings. Hug.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
VERY scary, Jo. VERY scary. the house i lived in one summer was broken into one night; i was in the attic with my dog toby and we heard a loud thump, but didn’t go to explore it. (i’m glad we didn’t.)
the next morning we found the back door smashed in, and a bunch of stuff gone. and the phone lines had been cut.
it was hard to feel safe there after that.
June 1st, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Oh, that is horrible. Glad to hear no one was hurt, though. I too would feel terribly violated. I hope they can replace everything.
June 1st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Ew, that’s creepy. I hope your friend can find some way to feel peaceful and safe in her own home again.