Dumbo police idea?

[David Johnson]

I don't believe it no. 999.

Apparently Exeter police are climbing into houses with open windows and unlocked doors, putting valuables into a carrier bag labelled Swag Bag (geddit?), dropping off a note about the importance of locking your doors etc. and then hightailing it. Apparently they do it in police uniform to "allay fears".

They've "turned over" about 50 houses so far.

The story was in the Daily Mail and it ain't April 1st yet so it must be true.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... homes.html

Personally, I think this could catch on.

How about armed police attacking your local bank with sawn-off shotguns to test their security measures?

How about policemen attacking protestors at demos to check if they are capable of defending themselves? Oh no, they do that already!

How about policemen making out they are going to attack drunk women walking home alone late at night? The list is endless.

D

[Peter]

And when one of them meets Mr Baseball Bat during one of these crime prevention operations, I suppose it'll be easy nicks and compensation all round.

[Robches]

This is one of the most inane things I have ever read. Are these cops completely ignorant of the law? An open window does not give them or any other person the right to climb through it, and they could well find themselves confronting a scared or irate homeowner. In the first case someone could have a heart attack, in the second the cop would find himself on the wrong end of a sword. Well, he would in my house at any rate.

There's a reason the cops need a warrant to enter someone's house without permission. I've known of cops who are light fingered, and this is the perfect excuse for a bit of B&E.

[Ogre]

A good business idea:
get a police uniform and raid some houses in Exeter. People who've read that article won't call the police.

[David Johnson]

I had to read the story again just to check there wasnt a "this plan will be coming into force on the morning of April 1st" etc etc.

But apparently it is true and it has been in the local press for some time.

What I find gobsmacking is that the managerial bright spark who thought up this idea had so little understanding of the law as well as a total absence of commonsense.

One for the bum's rush I would have thought!

D

[justincyder]

2 things;

1. This will be the brain child of some mid level senior officer who needed a 'project' for his/her personal development portfolio for their next senior position so don't cast the wand of scorn over them all.

2. the Police DO NOT need a warrant to enter property all of the time, there are plenty of examples within the law under legislation where a warrant is not needed, so don't believe the common myth.

[David Johnson]

"the Police DO NOT need a warrant to enter property all of the time, there are plenty of examples within the law under legislation where a warrant is not needed, so don't believe the common myth."

And a door which is closed but unlocked is one example of where entry to a property without a warrant is permitted?

D

[justincyder]

No no I'm not using this so called scheme they had as an example, but there are many articles of Pace where Police can enter without a warrant, also the misuse of Drugs act etc.

I'm merely trying to point out to the naiive and folks who watch too many tv cop shows that a warrant is only applicable under some circumstances.

And actually yes where a door is closed but unlocked does give police the power to enter property if for example they think someone may be hurt or ironically if a property has or is being burgled.

Its down to an individuals perception etc, again I'm not in any way trying to suggest this stunt gave them legal authority just that it's not ac clear cut as you'd like to think, but then what is.

[David Johnson]

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/you ... powers.htm

Citizens Advice Bureau info on power of entry:

Police can only enter premises without a warrant if a serious or dangerous incident has taken place.

Situations in which the police can enter premises without a warrant include when they want to:

deal with a breach of the peace or prevent it
enforce an arrest warrant
arrest a person in connection with certain offences
recapture someone who has escaped from custody
save life or prevent serious damage to property.

D

[justincyder]

aye thats all correct David and was what I was alluding to, Article 19 covers most of that, they are also allowed to enter premises of a person they have just detained that was in immediate control by that person in order to secure evidence of an offence. Articles 20 and 34 refer.

there are also aspects of common law that cover these areas too.