Rule of six: we asked Chichester if they would report neighbours to police, and this is how they voted

In recent weeks, prominent politicians including Home Secretary Priti Patel and policing minister Kit Malthouse both said they would call the police on neighbours who had broken the rule of six in their homes.

In a snap poll on the Chichester Observer Facebook page, we asked people to vote yes or no. In a decisive result, 69% of voters said they would not report their neighbours to police, against 24% saying they would and 7% saying neither yes or no.

It also created a lot of discussion.

Emma Cook said: “No I wouldn’t report them, I would rather our police were sorting out real crimes, taking the police away from this could cost lives, it’s a complete waste of police time.”

Vivian McPhee said it was ‘a matter of fact and degree’: “A huge loud party yes. Both sets of grand parents for lunch, probably not.”

Brenda Robinson added: “If I knew there were more than a dozen people the I wouldn’t hesitate in calling the police!”

Charlie Lamb said: “To all the people saying ‘yes, I would phone the police and report my neighbours’... Just remember the police aren’t going to be the ones to help you out if your car won’t start in the winter or take in a parcel for you if you’re not in... Don’t be a grass, if things were as bad as thay say then we would be back in full lockdown.”

Rachel Read said: “Are police really going to stop chasing robbers, rapists and murderers just to go and bang Doris’s door down because she has more than six people in her house? Do behave! If it doesn’t concern you leave them be!”

What do you think? Share your thoughts with us.