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Young boy who "used to live here" asked to look around my house
StockportAccusations can ruin your life.
Can’t believe I had to scroll this far. Why on earth do people think it’s okay to let a random 10year old into their house without a guardian present? This is wild, weird and worrying.
People forgotten MJ already?
Jesus I wasn't expecting that MJ namedrop
Jesus … Mary & Joseph ?
And the Wee Donkey
Hee heee
Who could forget Michael Jackson
Because most people don't think like a predator so don't automatically take it their in their head. Basically, most people aren't monsters.
A bit weird, but he is ten and also maybe he is just feeling nostalgic
Hate to say it but he’s far more likely scouting the place out for a robbery
It’s less likely he was scouting for a robbery. Firstly, how would he know the people had only lived there two years? If he said that at every house most people would say ‘I’ve lived here 20 years’.
Secondly, very little scouting is needed to burglarise a house. Nothing that requires interaction anyway. Why leave a trace with a description when you can observe when people leave for work and if they own a dog from afar.
Thirdly, most burglaries are opportunistic and committed by desperate drug users, the level of sophistication you are attributing to this potential robber is very rarely seen.
Yeah agreed, seems like a kid just being odd but harmless
Typical UK Reddit. It’s never the most obvious, logical, solution. It’s always some sort of a conspiracy straight out of a crime drama.
Thats not true. Letting any stranger into your house, even if its a child always has a risk of trouble. Crime does not only happen on tv lol
Very true, also there's absolutely no way I'm letting a child into my home without asking his parents first.
You can look up when a house last sold.
the last point isn’t 100% true, while burglaries are mostly committed by those with dependencies i find many older children and teens do them for extra money and the thrill
Yeah that's why they said most burglaries and not all burglaries...
Exactly… I used to look for houses with a lot of newspapers in the driveway letting me know the family is out of town.
It's "burgle".
i think you mean burgle, not burglarise, but spot on 🤣
They mean the same? It’s a horrible Americanism but it’s not incorrect.
Paranoid lol
This is such a reddit thing to say, what authority could that opinion possibly be based on?
When I moved as a youngster I was desperate to go back to my old house for a look, parents told me not to. I guess it's cause people are paranoid lmao
I still as an adult look up the places I lived on zillow and such, I would never ask to go look around, far too shy, but could understand someone doing it!
I actually did this recently.
Moved away from a house which was going to be knocked down. I saw lots of work being done to the buildings and most recently as i drove past i saw a few people out in the front garden.
I pulled in and stopped and just walked over to their driveway to say "Hey" Explained how i used to live in that house and how i thought they're being knocked down etc... The owner was i bit suspicious until i pulled up old pictures on my Facebook of my kids in the back garden. He invited me in and OMG!!! The work they did within that house was insane.
Only person living on that street as the rest of the houses need fixing but it was cool seeing what they had done to them.
I said thank you and went on my merry way. Got home to tell the wife about it and she was shocked that i just went in to some strangers house.
I guess sure it can be a little weird but if you're genuine most people will see that and be comfortable around you. A while ago i was visiting a location that i grew up in. I decided to show the wife and kids where i grew up. As it's on a main road i had to pull in so thought "Meh! What's the worst that can happen if i pull on to their drive? (It's a shared long dirt track which splits to both houses.) after a quick talk around with my wife and kids we got back on the road only to be pulled over almost immediately. The owners called the police on us. I explained to the cop what we're doing and after taking my details let us go and that was that.
Still it was great being a little nostalgic and showing my family where i grew up. Even getting pulled over just adds to the story.
Exactly this. I lived in my first house from birth until I was 16. Family finances went tits up and we had to leave on a sour note. My parents relationship crumbled after that and the split up. I have very fond memories in that house and it's been sold a few times in the 25 years since we left. I have 3 brothers and one of us will always announce when it's up for sale and we go online to have a look. I'd love to go view in for real and so would my brothers but none of us would do so as it would be a total waste of the sellers time, none of us want to buy it.
If I was 10 though, I'd probably Chap the door and ask for a look.
Feels like that would be too easy to catch someone in a lie. If someone were scouting for a robbery, they are.more likely to say that they are looking for their dog that ran away - have you seen him? The thing is, they're usually not focused on what's inside the house - they want to know if someone is home.
Two teenagers tried it at my parents house some years ago. They were in, so the boys left empty-handed, and straight into our neighbours house while they were out.
A ten year old?
Unfortunately, yes. I lived near a woman who'd use her daughter to burgle flats, she would have been a similar age, she used to smoke rollies with her mother.
Worst place I ever lived.
Ah to be 10 years old, dreaming of the heady days of being.....8?
I did this when I was about 12 and my brother 10. The new owners were lovely and took us on a tour of the house pointing out the changes and improvements. We left really happy, but not before stealing the new owners wife’s handbag. Had £300 in it - Result.
Hell of a twist
When we were kids, we used to hang out around an estate, and one time found a handbag outside someone’s house. We knocked on a few doors, no answer, then knock on another and a woman answered. Told her we’d found a handbag and was wondering who it belonged to. She grabbed it off us and shut the door in our faces. Don’t know how much was it in, but whatever was in it, she had a result that day.
He’s 10, he may not know how it comes across. I feel like 20 years ago something like this would be considered fairly normal but times have changed and perhaps he still has an innocent mind. That being said, you have a right to be vigilant and it’s smart to be. Perhaps if he comes back, politely say you’d love to show him around, and you’re not at all accusing him of being someone he’s not, but if he has any old pictures or similar of him inside or outside the house, and if he has a parent he can bring back with him first to talk to - as you are strangers to each other so it could be a little strange if you let a young lad you don’t know in the house. I’d say something like you remember your childhood homes too and would have loved to have a look around, but if he can do that first, that would be great.
Parent is the key thing here. Bring a parent back and all is dandy… don’t want to be caught letting a young boy into your house, who knows what he might say happened.
Don't let them in. Not their house anymore if they even are who they say they are.
I would go one step further and launch a counter attack with all my might
Front leaning kick into the face? lmao
Nothing would be off limits, they know what they were signing up for when they knocked
Just doing your duty as a responsible citizen really.
It’s a kid lol
I was burgled by an 11 and 12yr old lol.
Did they call you cleanshirt too?
You got burgled by an 11 and 12 yr old lol
Yeah, the little shits broke in while I was at the pub.
Do you have a toilet downstairs? He’ll ask to use that and then unlock and slightly open the window so you don’t notice. Or pocket a back door key or something. He may well not do the actual thieving himself — someone will come back while you’re asleep. He’s also checking if you have a dog, how many large men live there, if there’s an alarm or cameras, and anything else important.
10 year olds don’t get nostalgic like that about a place they lived in up to the age of 8. No need to be totally cynical about the world, but that is suspicious behaviour!
You sound like someone who's never lived near where travellers are staying. The kids do most of their thievery, at least in my experience.
Not travellers, but my fine neighbours on a council estate in Stockport!
“No sorry you can’t, the dog doesn’t like strangers and tends to bite” the only response
“i don’t want to be seen with an underage child in my home” is also an incredibly reasonable response, i would say.
..."especially not after last time!"
I ain’t letting a random 10 year old in my house, regardless of the story
'I'm terrible at handling stuff on the spot' - god I feel that so much. I don't think it's appreciated how hard that is for some people.
I always think of the perfect thing to say, precisely 5mins after the interaction has ended
"L'esprit de l'escalier" - a French phrase that translates to "the wit of the staircase." It describes the phenomenon of thinking of a clever retort or perfect response after the moment has passed, typically when one is already on their way out, like descending a staircase.
Same, or when having a conversation later thinking "I should have said/added".
Instantly thinking of the limmys show bit
Don’t underestimate kids, could easily be a scam to rob you
Yep it’s fairly common. Send kids around asking to mow your lawn or somewhere and picking up on empty houses etc
I’d verify that he actually did live there and then let him round. My brother did this once to our old house. They even let him stay the night. Although this was in the 90’s when we were more relaxed about that kind of thing.
In fact recently we had a man come and chat to me when I was working out front and said he used to live on the street and knew the old owners well. He went on to tell me all about them and I offered him to look round as we were doing lots of work to the place. I wasn’t too worried though as there wasn’t much to steal and I could tell he was genuine.
Stay the night?! Like a sleepover?
Pretty much yeah. Don’t think that would fly these days. 😂
I have received some letters addressed to a previous tenant so I mentioned it to him and he said that's his family.
You're a con-man's wet dream.
I sat outside my old house on Friday even thought about knocking. I loved that house and it holds so many memories good and bad. But still refer to it as our house 30 years later.
I can think of one very good reason not to let an unaccompanied child into my house. It begins with s and ends in afeguarding.
I had same first year in uni halls, he was just drunk and harmless so I let him.
I probably wouldn't have let him in the house, but equally wouldn't be too worried. Most likely it was genuine and he won't return. My mum also did it when parents moved house, though granted at least she'd met the new owners once before
A drunk 10 year old visiting his old uni halls. They grow up quick nowadays.
They sound like Vampires to me. Don't risk it.
I decided to knock on my childhood home and ask if I could look around and the owners told me to fuck off. My parents can be proper arseholes at times!
He has a spliff hidden under a floorboard
It's bad all round. Uncomfortable for you and dangerous for the child too to be knocking on doors asking to come in. I would be horrified if my child did this for the risk to them, the new tenant could be anyone.
id probably ask to have a chat with his parents and see if theyre ok with it and then let him do it. supervised like.
he's 10, what going to happen?
The kid will learn what valuables you have, if you have a dog, if you live alone. And then adults will burgle you.
Could overpower OP and make him give up his valuables
Give us you're Tv or we'll fuckin rush ya
Maybe he was just looking for Kenny.
Rob you and you can’t physically stop it else you’ll get done for assaulting a minor
Anything literally just anything an adult might do a 10 year old might. I.E last month a 10year old stabbed another child with a butter knife in the school canteen never underestimate a childs capability
actually think I will continue to not be worried about being stabbed by a prepubescent child
This is lovely!
It's exactly what I would love to do if I ever left my home, it's been our family home for three generations and if I ever left, I'd love to come back after 10 years or so to relive some memories, and regain a connection to my childhood, my life, my parents, and grandparents.
One day I'll lose this house, and perhaps the last piece of a part of me that used to be happy will die. It would be nice to at least be able to relive some echo of happiness for a few minutes, thanks to a very kind new resident ❤️
Hope this doesn’t get buried. A lot of people with broken trust here. When I had the chance to revisit a city abroad that I used to live in as a child, this time as a 14 year old. I stopped by my old apartment and rang the doorbell. The family that had moved in kindly let me take a peak in side for old times sake.
Not everybody is a criminal.
Agreed! I think it's probably innocent. I remember when we had to move out of our house when I was a teenager (dad left and we ran out of money so had to move somewhere much smaller). I used to go round on my bike and just look at it from the street because I missed my home. This kid might just be sad about moving and curious about the new(ish) owners. People are super suspicious these days.
Isn't this a bit in peep show, I swear
Hahaha my awkwardness was definitely very Mark Corrigan. Might be called clean shirt when he robs my tv
I think it depends where you live. I’m from a village and it wouldn’t be that strange for kids to strike up a conversation with adults or ask them what they are doing. A 10 year old asking for a tour of their old house wouldn’t surprise me.
So I did this as an adult. My home that I lived in when I was a kid was really special to me and I showed my brother's kids the neighborhood. I really wanted to see what the house looked like inside but I didn't have the guts to ask the people who lived there. This is in Michigan.
My dad and I went back to India one year and he showed me the house that he had built and the people were cool about it. It was a really nice experience for him as he had a ton of memories.
I have done this to every home I've lived in. It is weird, but don't ask, don't get.
Probably completely innocent but you did the right thing to say no. There is no positive outcome in this scenario for you. If he comes back say no again.
I wouldn’t be worried about a scam
Id love to see my old parents house now
I decided to knock on my childhood home and ask if I could look around and the owners told me to fuck off. My parents can be proper arseholes at times!
Not gonna lie, sometimes when I want a kick in the nostalgia dick, I go to see the house I grew up in. I'm in my 40s now, I've lived in many places but nowhere else has ever felt quite like home the way my old house did. I remember everything about it. I even look up my old street on Rightmove so I can look inside houses that are laid out like my house was. I'd love to have a look around my old house.
Saw people sat outside my house in a car looking a whole back. Realised it was the daughter (grown up) of the guy we bought it from.
I'd have said 'no' if they'd asked because her dad was a complete arsehole when we bought it
If you feel it's off, then it's off.
To me, I'd say it's a distraction burglary. Boy A gets attention, boy B swipes easily taken things.
Worst case, they accuse you of being a paedo, or threaten to say so for cash. Supremely fucked up. Had some kids start setting fire to the house, and then say if we did anything they accuse us of touching them. Hardest de-escalation of my career so far. Completely surreal.
Most likely a scout for a burglar. He’ll go home to whoever sent him and report back on what type of person lives there.
Don’t even open the door next time.
I lived in Rusholme once and we got burgled twice in 10 months. Second time I was home alone and about to fall asleep, house was dark. Heard a noise and just knew someone was in the house and that all my housemates were out of town. Then the bedroom door opened and a child was standing there with a duffel bag with valuables from around the house in it. He’d climbed into a top floor window.
Even if it's a wholly innocent question, there's an important lesson for them to learn about boundaries and ownership. Just because they 'used to' live there doesn't mean they have any right to come in and have a look. A firm but polite, "No, you may not. Goodbye." is all that's needed. If he comes back, you're still under no obligation to consent. The worst you have is a bummed child.
If it's not innocent and being veiled as a disguise for getting information about something else/valuables in the house, etc. then that'd be even worse. I think you're right to be cautious.
“The worst you have is a bummed child.”
Might want to rephrase that sentence.
this is the one thing we didn't want to happen
The OP is probably actually a person disguised as a house.
It is strange for this to happen. We only ever did this one time shortly after my nan died to show the youngest cousin that she didn't live there anymore he was only 3 y/o and was convinced his nan was home back from heaven he didn't understand when he saw the door open that it wasn't her in there we politely explained the situation and they graciously allowed him to look around and see she wasn't there they were very understanding of the situation we were all upset obviously so.
Sounds like the Black Eye Children phenomenon Did you get a good look at his eyes?
First thing I thought of 😅
State of these comments jesus christ
I can't believe how mistrusting people are nowadays
I was very trusting the first time it happened to me. I was 17 and they must have been watching me to know my family were on holiday and I was on my own revising for my A-levels. I don’t know what was worse — having to call my grandparents to come and deal with the police, telling my mother I’d let someone in the house and they came back later through a window and stole all her jewellery (it was the 90s— I had nothing to nick!), or not feeling safe alone in that house for a long time.
The second time a kid came round and asked to come in, using almost exactly the same words, I was a bit more streetwise!
Make sure you changed the lock of the house before the parents barge into your house,
I would never let an unaccompanied child into my house. I wouldn't want to put myself in a situation where I could be accused of anything, or for them to have an accident on my property, let alone the risk of them being up to no good!
Not a chance without a parent there, and even then it's perfectly fine to say no.
This gives AHS Murder House
Tbh I get nostalgic of the house I grew up in but it's not my house anymore, I can remember what it looks like really well, it would be a trip down memory lane if I was there but it's someone else's house now
Tbh I get nostalgic of the house I grew up in but it's not my house anymore, I can remember what it looks like really well, it would be a trip down memory lane if I was there but it's someone else's house now
I wouldn’t feel comfortable having two unescorted children in my house. You are always better from a safeguarding perspective having their parents with them. Next time I would say ‘I need to speak with your parents / guardian first’. I expect that would serve the other purpose of turning them off the idea entirely if that’s what you want.
7 years after my family moved into a new house the youngest girl of the previous family came to visit us out of the blue and asked to look around. She was about 14 when she came to visit. My mother agreed and gave a tour around, the house had been a big renovation project so it was actually a lot different for her to see than when she lived here, but she wouldn't've known that prior to visiting. Whole thing was awkward, but alright. Never got robbed.
That said, if the situation feels off then it feels off. Although I would suggest a direct no rather than avoiding him. Avoiding it might draw it out for all parties included.
No thanks mate. shuts and locks the door
My first thought would be, why does it need two kids to come looking, when only one of them lived there. But of course that's natural enough, kids hang around in pairs or small groups, and perhaps the kid would be nervous to be in a stranger's house on his own.
I can see the more cynical point of view, that two of them and only one of you in the house means that it's dead easy for one of them to swipe something while the other distracts you. Also, taking suspicious cynicism a step further, if they say something happened, there's only you (one person) to say that it didn't.
Simple solution to all this is to only let them in at a time when there are other adults in the house there with you. Pre-warned to watch out for any sneaky behaviour. And able to act as witnesses to say what did or didn't happen, if it should come to that.
That way you can be pleasant and helpful and everyone's happy, without undue risk.
If they're doing it for nefarious purposes then you would've heard about it, because they'd surely not only be targeting your house, they'd be trying it on dozens and dozens of people all within walking distance.
Dog nappers hun. Shared Cromer xx
Ask him to come with his Mom if he wants to look around and she would need to have ID.
Every time I've given a stranger the benefit of the doubt, it's bitten me in the arse. This kid is either scouting for tech to report back to someone who then knows if it's worth breaking in to your gaff, or he's after a few pocketable items himself.
Even if it's completely innocent, you really shouldn't be letting stranger kids into your house.
In short, if they come back, politely decline.
Never answer the door to anyone. I noticed no one did in the early days when I moved to this street. Then, whenever I did, it was always, do you want to donate to charity, religion pushers, or do you want to switch energy providers.
Tell him to come back with his parents.
Far too odd for a 10 yr old to have the confidence to knock on a strangers door to "look around."
I, too, would be inclined to say he was scouting you.
I was six when I knocked on the front door of my "old" home and told the new owner that I used to live there. Thank God he didn't let me in! Would've looked pretty dodgy!
If he comes back, don't let him in without a parent, but make sure you're not alone either.
Ah stop.. surely the one and only is to bring a parent and they can collect the post
Get a ring doorbell so you know if it’s him at the door. Then you can be “too busy at the moment, sorry”
Don't allow him into your house, tell him that you're not comfortable and it's inappropriate for a random 10yo to be in a stranger's house. If anything happens to that child even after leaving your house you'll be #1 suspect.
If he returns with an adult 'd still refuse because people are weird out there and ' ve watched enough horror movies with a somewhat similar story line.
I’d be more concerned if you get found with a 10 year old stranger in your house. Tell him to come back with a parent and ID!
Regardless of the boy's intentions, age or anything else - I would say sorry but no...if it seems like he needs assistance in some way, call the appropriate authorities, but you have no reason to have him in your house, that's just unsettling.
When I was 10 i was using the neighbours roof for my toboggan during a snow drift. It didn’t even occur to me that it was rude.
If it was a little old dear saying she lived in the house 60 years ago, I'd be fine letting her see how it's changed/stayed the same. A little lad saying he was there 2 years ago... jog on mate. Come back in 60 years.
Clearly a ghost child or vampire
Simple answer… it's your home and if it makes you feel uncomfortable- say no. You don't have to accomodate the whims of random strangers, nice or otherwise
I don’t think this is strange but then again that’s because I’ve often thought about visiting my old homes which I grew up in for a look around and to trigger those nostalgic emotions and memories. Especially since my mother is no longer with us. I’m not entirely sure that any current occupants would appreciate a random 42 year old bloke showing up, unsolicited, asking to look around their home though.
Grab yourself by either the figurative or physical balls and just tell the 10 year old “no”? He’s ten and you’re going to “avoid answering the door unless you know it’s a delivery”. That’s weird asf.
Probs just wants to show his mate his old room etc.
I'd let him in with an adult.
Not weird at all, when I go back to South Africa I often to a drive by of my house and the first time knocked on and had a walk around.
This is extremely normal? Happened everywhere I’ve lived and I see it happen all the time
He’s just a kid too
Who tf falls for that? Lol, "asked to look around" should've told them to bring their parents.Next time, you'll post here that you've been robbed. 🤔🤦♂️🥴
I feel like doing this at the house I was born in, 1958, so a long time ago. But I'd hate it if the occupants felt threatened by my asking so I avoid it.
Had that at the present house. Brought his own kid to see. Also the other way round. Wife and daughter were looking at our old house and after brief chat we’re invited in . Interesting for both sides as she talked about the changes we made to the house so that had a bit of history too.
The state of this sub. It’s a kid for christ
Did you ask the kid what his surname was first, and if it matched with the letters
It is weird in the sense that it's unusual and doesn't normally happen, but I definitely also did this as a kid, so not necessarily weird in the sense of anything to worry about
my friend moved out of her house she'd lived in her whole life and we knocked on a year or so later, we just wanted to see how they'd put their stuff compared to how it was when she lived there!!!!!
As a parent to a 10yr old, if she was to do this and I found out, she would be shouted at for how dangerous and naive it is, and for disturbing someone she has no right to disturb.
Where I grew up, I can imagine kids doing this to rob from people. Definitely don't let strangers into your home.
I did this when I was 30 with my childhood home and just happened to be in the area.
The owners were really nice and gave me a tour, it brought back lots of memories and gave me closure on that part of my life.
Damn. I was hoping the little boy was going to say “in my old life” or something spooky. This is just some little kid scouting for a burglary. Typical U.K. anticlimax
I wouldn't be having 2 unsupervised kids who aren't my responsibility nor do I have any relationship with the parents in my house in a thousand years. What they did is weird but their kids and kids are a bit weird sometimes, what you did was right
Just say no. Your house, your rules. Many years ago we were burgled after taking in a kid for a few hours after he 'locked himself out'. They were new to the street. He was 8ish. Scouted the house on trips to the loo and generally curious little kid questions - few weeks later we then got burgled and police found stuff in their house. They got his 5 year old brother to climb through a tiny top window in the kitchen and open the bolts from the inside letting his scummy dad & brothers in to nick all of my late Grandad's stuff. So for those saying 'HE'S 10!" like it's impossible, if his parents are a$$holes it doesn't matter if he's 5 or 15.
I run a holiday let in Swanage and the original owners son walked past as I was loading up the car. I gave him a quick tour and he told me how the house used to be when he lived in it as a b&b. He lived in it in the 80s and 90s and was great to hear how the house hasn't changed too much. I'd love to visit my grandparents old home but know its weird to ask.
“It would be lovely to show you around, but you need to bring your mum with you” We had this, with a child it’s often nostalgia especially if they lived in the house from birth and then “had to move”
Polite but firm, the child only wanted to see what his old playroom looked like, it’s now part of the kitchen. His mum was very grateful as there was an issue about moving and now all the house landmarks had gone for the child, it was settled.
Just after we'd had our kitchen extension done, a woman from down the road who I had never spoken to before and a friend of hers 'who lived nearby' knocked on our door and said that she was thinking of having an extension done and could she have a look at ours for inspiration. I was caught off guard and said 'uhh, ok' and they came in, had a good look at the extension and started asking all sorts of questions about the cost of everything, which annoyed me. 'How much did the kitchen cost? 'How much was the wooden flooring?' etc etc.
Then her friend said 'can I have a quick look upstairs?' and I said 'no, the upstairs is the same as yours, we've done nothing to it' and she said 'it's ok, I'll only be a minute' and started to go upstairs until I said 'NO!' in a forceful manner. They said they were only curious and that I knew who they were so what was the harm. I said that I was busy and pretty much shoved them out the door. I've seen them both regularly but never spoken a word to either of them since, but every time I see them they wave or smile. Very odd.
I had this from a 90 year old woman. It was lovely to hear about what life in the house was like 80 years prior
To be honest I always wonder what my old house looks like and wanted to ask if I could have a look just because I’m curious, it’s a bit odd I do get it but it’s just fun to know how much it changed, nostalgic also
As an adult who drives past my childhood home 3 or 4 times a year I constantly want to pull over and ask to look around for nostalgia.
Check for any loose floor boards 😉
Make sure he's not unlocked one of your doors or windows
I did this at about the same age. Missed the house where I “grew” up. Felt a bond with it. The lady gave me a cup of tea and we talked about the house. That was over 40 years ago 😀
That’s very strange. I understand the sentiments of it all, but honestly it’s better to be safe than sorry!
I've always wanted to visit my former homes from childhood but too anxious to actually go through with asking.
Back in the 90s this may have seemed perfectly normal but these days its hard fo gauge peoples intentions
Are you sure he wasn't a ghost?
Sad indictment on 21st century Britain that we have so much suspicion and fear of being alone with a nosey child!
man. we moved out of my childhood home when i was 9 and it was really upsetting to me at the time, especially as we only moved about a 10 minute walk away. for years afterwards i thought about doing exactly this, just to have one last look around on it, get some closure on the trauma of losing what was my safe space. i never did it, but a lot of the responses here are kinda sad to me for that reason. sometimes kids are just kids and want to go home.
with that being said, if you're unsure and the kid comes over again, maybe ask him where he lives now, and if it's close by, go over to his house with him and talk to his parents about it. in the off chance he's "casing the joint", showing them that you know where they live is probably more than enough to keep them from burgling you.
Why do people think that’s an ok thing to do. They can fuck off
There's no way this ends well. Don't let them in
God people in the UK are so miserable and paranoid. How did we get here?
Tbh id be more concerned about the child’s safety. Ive had a child knock on my door and ask to play ( i have no children) and i walked them back to their house.
Not from Manchester, but I’ve had this happen, literally two kids showed up on our doorstep saying this exact thing and I told them the truth, that we’d probably lived there longer than he’d been alive! Coincidentally this happened a day or so after someone tried to walk into our house via the back door but got scared by the dogs (one barked and guarded the house, the other just wandered out the open garage and took himself for a stroll 😂)
I’m starting to think this is some kind of scam/scouting operation
Don’t learn the hard way mate. Especially in times like this where false accusations are a common thing, just one false accusation and your life is over
Do NOT let anyone into your house that you don’t know period.
Dont undersetimate a 10 year old!
Why are you all so scared of a ten year old?
I visited the house I grew up in and knocked on the door and asked to look round, but the people there said "No you can't come in, go away". Sometimes my parents can be really annoying.
Someone posted the same comment on our local community page recently, obviously some sort of scam.
I am going back a couple of decades, but a couple of decades ago, my very trusting father let a couple of lads, about 10 into his workshop in a not-so-great area of Manchester, to do odd jobs to earn some pocket money. No idea what their honest purpose was but it seemed logical for him, and it was a saturday, but they stole over £5,000 (value at the time) n goods he had around the office. Some of those items were very personal, and could never be replaced and should never have been there, so it was his fault, but in answer to your question, nope, I would never let them in.
It's a sad world, but you just can't knwo what their true intentions are, and sadly, the cynic in me would argue that if you've just moved in, the chances are you have some new items you've just purchased. The risk of theft aside, I would never put myself at risk of being alone with any children, in my own house - the risk of incriminatioons is far too great.
When I lived in a student house in Leeds, I used to get the occasional group of 2-4 graduates knock on the door and ask to have a look around their old house. They’d always name drop the landlord and then I’d say okay to it. I probably wouldn’t be that trusting now. I’d avoid letting an unsupervised child in like the plague.
Chances are it was the home he grew up in until he was 8, a loooong time for a kid, a lifetime you could say. If he comes back, tell him you’d be delighted but he would have to bring his mum. If he does, you can make a brew, find out her surname then you’ll know if it really is them. If so, they obviously live local so you’ve now made new friends in the area…
Yeah, let him in, and then 5 minutes later, the kids' parents come knocking with the police at your door saying you kidnapped him.
All of this feels dodgy.
I have done this before at about the same age 😂😭 can confirm was not scamming
Lmao the only thing weird about this is how you’re acting.
I’ve done this to one of my old houses, the people that lived there loved it, asked me all questions etc. my mum and I also went to her childhood home and walked around that with the lady that lived there now.
Get a grip ffs. I don’t know how people like you get through life. Afraid to even open your door due to a 10 YEAR OLD lmao. Fucking pathetic.
It could be legit and just a harmless request from a kid, but if it was me there is no way I'd allow someone else's child who I don't know unsupervised access into my house.
Avoid
If it happens again I would simply say that it would inappropriate to let him in your home on his own as he is only a child and in addition you don’t feel comfortable allowing strangers into your home.
A few years ago , i went out of state for a funeral , my sister and I drove to our grandfathers old house to remember.
The new owner was in the yard and asked what we were doing , we told him and he invited us in.
The front door was the same, the creaky wooden stairs leading up to where we used to sleep and play was all the same but everything else downstairs was changed, i got a little sad that grandpa and gramma werent there.
With adult supervision ...let them in
Dude, don't let an unaccompanied kid into your house.....
Maybe he hid some thing and wants to sneaky get it back. He’s only a kid.
This happened a few years after I moved into my new home. But it was an elderly man who said he recently lost his wife, and had the best memories in the house. I let him in and he showed me where his son took his first steps, what walls were changed. He even showed me a secret cupboard that was somehow painted shut. Then he left and I saw him sitting on the pavement crying. It is hard to think the memories old houses carry.
It was wise not to let a minor into your home though
He could also be a time traveller looking at his old house
ghost?
My biggest takeaway from this there are still people walking about who think Michael Jackson wasn’t a nonce.
"I've changed my mind. It can't be done, sorry." And have a nice day.
Most people have said you don't know if its a scam or dodgy from him, but on the flipside it's probably not a great idea for you to have an unsupervised child in your home