benkei Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Linky I wonder if you could prosecute them? I mean stealing is stealing, no matter what your intentions... What's wrong with notifying the owner of the car that it is unlocked or suseptable to crime? They have the technology to track the owners, so why resort to this?! Must be down to a 'we're the police, so we can' mentality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guigsy Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 seems like a good idea to me. People wont learn if you just tell them "of your car was unlocked" the "omg my stuff is gone" factor is much better at making people not be stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kranz Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I've been doing it for ages. I call it 'Virtually stolen'. I put a note in the car/house or whetever saying. "Hi, I' could have been a theif but luckily I'm not. However, all your valuables have been virtually stolen. Please contact me on the number above to get them back". Not only does it make people much more aware, it prevents crime as I get to the goodies first, before the bad guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave17 Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 What's wrong with notifying the owner of the car that it is unlocked or suseptable to crime? Must be down to a 'we're the police, so we can' mentality. Not sure that's particularly fair tbh...and i really wouldn't appreciate a nice big yellow note making it even more apparent to my local "misunderstood people" that i had been a tool and left the car open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 stealing is stealing, no matter what your intentions... Actually, it isn't. Not in the eyes of the law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benkei Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 Actually, it isn't. Not in the eyes of the law. Explain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snooze Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 The technique is proving so successful that the force is thinking about spreading it out across the country. I wonder if you could prosecute them? I mean stealing is stealing, no matter what your intentions... ....... Must be down to a 'we're the police, so we can' mentality. Yeah! Let's do what we can to stop it - we don't want the police going round being "successful" now, do we? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Class One Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Explain? A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intent to permanently deprive the other of it. Section 1(1) Theft Act 1968. In order to prove theft, there has to be intent to permanently deprive. As there is no intent, there is no theft. Nor is there any element of dishonesty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 How about TWOC? //edit: BTW I agree with the scheme, sounds like a good idea, just asking if anyone could get away with charging an officer with something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinboy Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 The rozzers were doing something similar on princess parkway in manchester a few years back. During rush hour they'd move along stationary traffic and check the passenger side doors to see if they were unlocked - if they were they'd whip away anything on the passenger seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Actually, it isn't. Not in the eyes of the law. Explain? A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intent to permanently deprive the other of it. Section 1(1) Theft Act 1968. In order to prove theft, there has to be intent to permanently deprive. As there is no intent, there is no theft. Nor is there any element of dishonesty.^ That. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I've been doing it for ages. I call it 'Virtually stolen'. I put a note in the car/house or whetever saying. "Hi, I' could have been a theif but luckily I'm not. However, all your valuables have been virtually stolen. Please contact me on the number above to get them back". Not only does it make people much more aware, it prevents crime as I get to the goodies first, before the bad guys! In your experience, what are the overall public reactions to this?...Thanks followed by embarrassment with a hint of supressed anger? The rozzers were doing something similar on princess parkway in manchester a few years back. During rush hour they'd move along stationary traffic and check the passenger side doors to see if they were unlocked - if they were they'd whip away anything on the passenger seat. Pity they didn't steal Manchester while they were at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benkei Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intent to permanently deprive the other of it. Section 1(1) Theft Act 1968. In order to prove theft, there has to be intent to permanently deprive. As there is no intent, there is no theft. Nor is there any element of dishonesty. Ahhh, so it comes down to a technicality? I guess it's a proactive idea to help increase people's awareness of car crime... Still bloody inconvenient for whoever has to make a journey to get their stuff back! I wonder if police will start car-jacking soon, just to make sure we're aware that someone can take your car from you at gun or knife point, and that we should have our doors locked everywhere we go!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 so if you find a police car unlocked and leave a polite note, its ok to remove the contents and not get done for theft ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guigsy Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Ahhh, so it comes down to a technicality? I guess it's a proactive idea to help increase people's awareness of car crime... Still bloody inconvenient for whoever has to make a journey to get their stuff back! I wonder if police will start car-jacking soon, just to make sure we're aware that someone can take your car from you at gun or knife point, and that we should have our doors locked everywhere we go!! to be honnest if you dont lock your car or drive arround with your doors locked thats your fault. Ive never had a car that doesnt automaticly lock the doors as soon as you start moving. Im sure the "inconvienience" of having you stuff taken by plod is SUCH a pain in the arse compared to having it stolen and you NEVER getting it back and and your dash ripped appart by them trying to get your radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 It's when you start getting a note left on your brick sitting on your drivers seat stating that your stuff has been taken you should start to worry! Can understand that it could be extremely inconvenient though, especially if the rozzers took your sat nav! Still, better them taking it that some opportunists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 There was a woman on the radio yesterday talking about this in a phone-in. She was banging on about how safe her village is and that she leaves her doors at home unlocked through choice and doesn't lock her car when she goes to the butchers. She was soooo smug about it. I really wanted to rob her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Im sure the "inconvienience" of having you stuff taken by plod is SUCH a pain in the arse compared to having it stolen and you NEVER getting it back and and your dash ripped appart by them trying to get your radio. I agree. I think the scheme is a good idea. I'd *much* rather have a copper take my stuff for safe keeping, than have a scumbag chav burglar steal it for good. The philosophical bit, going off-topic. Stop reading here if you're not interested in the why's and wherefore's. I read about it in the paper yestersay, but it also brought up another side to it. It's a shame that people have to lock their possessions up at all in order for them to be safe. Whether or not you think it's a good idea depends a little bit on whether you think fear of crime (i.e. locking things away) perpetuates crime over the course of several years, or lack of fear of crime (not locking things away) perpetuates crime. In order words, does fearing crime make people expect it more, and then does it become a self-fulfulling prophesy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 There was a woman on the radio yesterday talking about this in a phone-in. She was banging on about how safe her village is and that she leaves her doors at home unlocked through choice and doesn't lock her car when she goes to the butchers. She was soooo smug about it. I really wanted to rob her. You listen to Radio 2 as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Made me giggle: "So watch out, because you never know when an officer might be loitering around your car with intent." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 You listen to Radio 2 as well? Indeed, at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Indeed, at work. For that very reason, I won't be able to listen to it as of next week. Stuck indoors with the old man (who is an avid listener), I've had no other choice in recent weeks... Had my excuses all lined up already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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