Lock your car, or the police will rob it

[Phoenix]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8220274.stm

Heard this on London radio tonight, was intrigued enough to look it up when I got home.

Apparently to prevent crime and inform people about leaving cars unlocked police are, presumably, actively looking for unlocked cars (it's not exactly something you notice unless you're looking) and removing any valuables from it and leaving a note to say they can be picked up from a specific police station

It's people own lookout if they're stupid enough to leave their car unlocked, where do the police get off on thinking they have the right to go ransacking cars to teach the owners a lesson. Not only is there the risk of the note that's left never reaching the owner, but also they then have to get to whichever police station took it and hope they get it all back. What's next, towing away unchained motorcycles and leaving a post-it note on the tarmac to demonstrate what could happen.

I think the police need to relearn their place, I don't see what provision there is in the law for them to start going through your vehicle just because you left it unlocked, does the law let them gut your house if you leave that unlocked?
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Europe Trip 2009 - Romania

[Mister James]

I assume they're operating under a common law responsibility to protect people's belongings - their reasoning no doubt being that people are better off traipsing to the local nick to pick up their stuff rather than having to do the same thing to report it missing.

That said, seems pointless to me - and is no doubt just a little scheme to provide evidence for someone's bid for an extra pip or some stripes.

It's only happening in Richmond - and the story suggests it's only actually happened once. The local council and the AA seem to be on board with it - but I'm siding with you on this one - it seems a bit stupid, and rather intrusive. Everyone knows they shouldn't leave their doors unlocked - if they continue to do it then this little stunt isn't going to help, let them get on with being stupid and save police time for people who deserve it.

If nothing else, it's more work for the hapless plod who have to carry out this latest headline-catching brain-fart.

If I were in the position of finding an insecure vehicle with no obvious means of finding the driver - and absolutely felt I had to do something, I suspect I'd probably just lean in, flip the central locking button and then close the door - problem solved.

[Ste]

They're not just trying to get into cars.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/8222004.stm
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[beatnck2]

Next they will be pulling your trousers down to check you wiped your arse properly..
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[Feasty]

They're also doing this around my area in Sheffield now. So if you see a guy with a florescent yellow coat on going round checking car door handles and removing contents from the occasional one don't worry it's all legal.

In fact you can tell by what's written on the back of my err his jacket -

'I iz jus chekin ur car for valubbubles'.


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[stinkwheel]

[colin1]

[instigator]

Leave valuables in your car, unlocked and you're fucking asking for it. Tools.

[Mister James]

[powelly]

[Mister James]

[theguvnor]

Cant see it happening too often myself.

And its not like they are going to have the balls to do it on council estates etc.

But what happens if i come back to my tipper and there is someone leaning in the door?

First reaction would be to use "reasonable" force. Would that then get me arrested if it was a copper?

Pathetic idea, if i see someones car open can i go and take all his things leaving a note of my address with no fear of arrest?

Of course not, yet the leaders of our country. . . . Sorry i mean the police. . . can do whatever the hell they like without real fear of reprisal.

I hate this country.

[Paulington]

[colin1]

Obviously the police are finding catching criminals a bit tricky, so if you cant beat them join them.
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Mr_Fisty-"Speed limits were broken, front wheels lifted, knees kissed tarmac. No kittens were killed, no plod annoyed and no accidents. As im sitting relaxing with a cold beer my bike is pinging and ticking as it cools down. I loves bikes. That is all.."

[The Original Muzza]

Part of me wants to wait for them to start doing it here, then just lurk outside ASDA until the go for their lunch/snack (which there's always one unit doing so in the tiny village I live in) and leave the car unlocked as usual.
Remove any gear they leave and hand it in at the local nick as "lost property". Sure, I'd probably get a beating, but they'd also be reprimanded.
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[Kwaks]