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There's a paranoid schizophrenic living in my apartment building. Is there anything I can do?
He said "I'm MI5" so I just said "cool man" t… I was stepping out of my flat today, and a guy in a ski mask jogged up to me. I'm fairly tall and built so I wasn't threatened, but I was still on guard.
He said "I'm MI5" so I just said "cool man" then he pulled out his phone and showed me a JPEG of a page of different badges and said "see this badge? I'm MI5" and I said "okay man that's cool."
Then he walked with me to the exit door talking about his mission and all that; and when I tried to leave but he blocked me and said "I'm the head of the police, why are you following me? You stepped out when I stepped out, who are you? You're part of the IRA we've been watching you." So I just said "I'm just trying to leave, I don't know you" and he pointed at my Levi's jacket and said "why are you wearing our clothes? I'm Jewish why are you wearing our clothes?" (Levi is a Jewish name) so I just said "okay I'm going to go back to my flat now" and went back. Then I left five minutes later and walked past him talking to a guy in the car park about how he was the king of England and that guy was wearing the mark of the beast (Adidas logo).
My mum (who lives in the same building but a different flat) says she's seen him as well. The most notable time being when he ran up to a delivery truck and slammed his fist on its window. He was yelling at the driver about how his (the schizophrenic's, not the driver's) initials were on the license plate, that he was part of the CIA and that the driver needed to fuck off.
Is there anything I can do about this? I'm sure the answer is that there's very little I can do, and it'll be one of those "we can't address him until he's done something" situations, but of course by then it'll be too late.
I'm actually moving out of that flat soon, but my mum is still there, and I of course don't want anyone else who lives there to be in danger either.
Thank you!!
Polo or Adidas, it's always the logo with these guys. If your mum's in a council or housing association flat, she should ask the estate office if there's a tenancy enforcement officer. They can serve him with a warning about harassment of other residents, which gets the paper trail going without needing a full mental health section. The council's anti-social behaviour team is also worth a call, they handle stuff that's not quite criminal but still makes life miserable for everyone else. She can report it online on the council website, which is often faster than waiting on hold for 101.
fwiw if your mum's near a decent sized mosque or synagogue, sometimes their community outreach people have good relationships with local mental health teams and can fast-track stuff. not sure what area you're in but some of the bigger ones in london have a social worker on retainer basically
also worth checking if there's a local Mind or Rethink drop-in nearby, they do peer support and usually know exactly which borough teams actually respond vs just take notes. your mum could pop in for a chat without even giving a name, just to get the lay of the land
the ski mask thing is the bit that gets me tbh. if he's wearing that regularly and blocking exits, that's already past the "just eccentric" line. your mum should def get a chain lock like the other person said, and maybe a cheap door wedge for when she's inside. they're like a fiver at Wilko and stop even a solid push from opening the door
yeah that's unsettling. the council's mental health team is the right call but honestly in london the crisis line (0800 023 4650) can sometimes get someone out faster than 101. they're the nhs one for mental health emergencies. i'd tell your mum to call them and mention the ski mask and the blocking your exit specifically, that's a bit beyond just delusional chit-chat.
also worth flagging to the building's managing agent or landlord. if he's a tenant they might have a duty of care to other residents. some of the bigger housing associations round here have a community safety officer who can mediate. not a guarantee but worth a shot.
your mum could also pop into the local police station in person if there's one nearby. the desk officers are usually more switched on than the 101 call handlers. just for a quiet word so they know he's on their radar. stay safe
Where to Stay in London (2026)
For first-time visitors who want to be in the thick of it, Mayfair offers luxury hotels like Claridge's and The Connaught, with suites starting around £… 🏙️ Central Splurge: Mayfair & Covent Garden
For first-time visitors who want to be in the thick of it, Mayfair offers luxury hotels like Claridge's and The Connaught, with suites starting around £500 per night. Covent Garden is more mid-range, with boutique options like The Henrietta Hotel from £250, putting you steps from theaters and restaurants. These areas are ideal for couples and solo travelers who prioritize convenience and don't mind higher prices.
🌳 Quiet Retreats: Hampstead & Richmond
If you prefer a peaceful escape, Hampstead offers leafy streets, the heath, and charming pubs, with boutique B&Bs like The White House from £150 per night. Richmond is even greener, with the deer park and riverside walks; try the Richmond Hill Hotel from £180. These suit families and older travelers who want a calm base with easy access to central London via the Tube or overground.
🎉 Nightlife Hubs: Shoreditch & Soho
Shoreditch is the epicenter of cool, with street art, speakeasies, and clubs like The Book Club; budget hostels like Generator London start at £30 per night, while boutique hotels like The Hoxton average £200. Soho offers a grittier, 24-hour vibe with bars and LGBTQ+ venues; stay at the Z Hotel Soho from £150. These are perfect for young travelers and night owls who want to be where the action is.
🍜 Family-Friendly Zones: South Kensington & Greenwich
South Kensington is a family magnet thanks to the Natural History Museum and Science Museum, with hotels like the Holiday Inn Kensington from £180 per night offering family rooms. Greenwich has the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, and big parks; stay at the Novotel Greenwich from £120. Both areas have excellent transport links and plenty of kid-friendly dining.
💻 Digital Nomad Spots: King's Cross & Old Street
King's Cross has been transformed with co-working spaces like Google Campus and the trendy Coal Drops Yard; hotels such as the Pullman London St Pancras from £200 offer reliable Wi-Fi and workspaces. Old Street is the heart of Tech City, with affordable aparthotels like The Zetter from £180 and numerous coffee shops with free Wi-Fi. These areas suit remote workers who need fast internet and a vibrant startup scene.
💰 Budget-Friendly Picks: Paddington & Earl's Court
Paddington offers good-value hotels like the Hilton London Paddington from £120 per night, with direct access to Heathrow via the Express. Earl's Court has many budget hostels and guesthouses, such as the London House Hotel from £80, and is close to museums and parks. These are great for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers who still want a central location.
🚇 Getting Around: Transport Tips
London's Tube and bus network covers all neighborhoods, with a single fare costing £2.80 using contactless payment. The Night Tube runs on select lines on weekends, making late-night returns easy from central areas. For airport transfers, the Heathrow Express from Paddington takes 15 minutes and costs £25 one-way, while the Gatwick Express from Victoria is £20.
🗓️ Booking Advice for 2026
Book at least 3 months ahead for summer and December, as prices spike during Wimbledon and Christmas markets. Consider staying in Zone 2 neighborhoods like Clapham or Islington for lower rates and a local feel, with hotels averaging £100-150 per night. Always check cancellation policies, as many hotels offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival.
nice guide, really thorough. one thing i'd add for the digital nomad section is that king's cross can feel a bit soulless at night, all those shiny new buildings and not much character. if you want a proper local pub after work, head a ten minute walk to the edinboro castle on jersey street, it's a proper old boozer from 1820 with decent ale and none of the tech crowd. also for the family-friendly bit, south kensington is great but the museums are free so you don't need to splash out on a hotel near them, you can stay somewhere cheaper in barons court and be there in a fifteen minute walk
yeah this is a great breakdown, really helpful. one thing i'd throw in for the nightlife hubs is that soho can be a nightmare on friday and saturday nights with all the drunk crowds spilling out everywhere, i actually prefer staying in bloombsbury just north of it, you get the british museum and russell square right there, and you can walk into soho in ten minutes but still sleep in peace. also for the budget picks, earl's court is decent but the area around west kensington station has some proper bargains, i got a room
really appreciate the effort that went into this, it's a solid breakdown of the options. for the central splurge section, i'd actually steer people toward fitzrovia over mayfair if they want that luxury feel without the full tourist markup. the charlotte street hotel does rooms from around £300 and you're a five minute walk from soho but it's way quieter, plus you get proper local restaurants like rodeo's on greek street for a decent steak. also for the budget picks, paddington is fine but the area around bayswater just south of it has better value, i've found rooms at the chelsea guest house for £70 a night and you're right next to hyde park with the district line right there