We've just returned home from holiday to find a note from a neighbour saying that the police were in investigating an assult in our area. We have young children and are concerned about the type of assult, how can we find out what happened without wasting the professional's time?

hi suzi - i really wouldn't worry about "wasting a professional's time" - it's absolutely what the police and the community support officers are there for! i also wouldn't worry too much because when it's a "serious" assault the police tend to post their own notes through doors rather than leaving it up to neighbours (often constituting 'gossip'). but, if you're really hell bent on not calling them directly, i would suggest contacting your local neighbourhood watch since they are in constant communication with the authorities.