Any law behind lock picking?

nikebee · 10 Apr 2008 at 00:39

Viper² said:
Where can I purchase such an item?

Google much?
http://www.google.co.uk/search?aq=f...cial&hs=tDP&q=lock+pick+kit&btnG=Search&meta=

Failing that, maybe worth trying eBay?

dal · 10 Apr 2008 at 00:49

A friend of mine worked for a company & went on a lockpicking course, he was told that if he was ever caught using his skill for burgulary he would get 3 times the sentence of a normal burgular, not that this really answers the op's question but I thought I'd add my 20 p worth.

nikebee · 10 Apr 2008 at 00:52

dal said:
A friend of mine worked for a company & went on a lockpicking course, he was told that if he was ever caught using his skill for burgulary he would get 3 times the sentence of a normal burgular, not that this really answers the op's question but I thought I'd add my 20 p worth.

I can't see how that makes sense.

If I was to spend three weeks of my time at home reading up on lock picking, buying some Bump Keys, Tension Tools and lock picks of my own... I'd have the same knowledge as that guy?

Going by that logic, anybody that does a course in Networking and any degree of Coding should get 3x the penalty for Hacking or creating a Virus then a normal person because they've learnt the knowledge.
:confused:

dal · 10 Apr 2008 at 01:01

Well thats just what he told me, apparently he had to sign somthing as well, yes you could spent 3 weeks at home study ect but nobody could check up on that could they, where's he has OFFICALLY been shown how to do it.

nikebee · 10 Apr 2008 at 01:09

dal said:
Well thats just what he told me, apparently he had to sign somthing as well, yes you could spent 3 weeks at home study ect but nobody could check up on that could they, where's he has OFFICALLY been shown how to do it.

Yeah sure I understand that.

Do Policemen get a harsher sentence if they murder somebody, or if they drive dangerously because they have been shown how to properly use a gun and trained in how to drive at high speeds though?

Defcon5 · 10 Apr 2008 at 01:18

The 'going equipped' is section 25 of the theft act 1968

A person will be guilty of an offence if, when not at home, he posesses any article for use in the course of, or in connection with any burglary or theft

Azza · 10 Apr 2008 at 01:21

EVH said:
Breaking and entering

Prolly would get charged with that along with other random silly things.

I was told I could get charged with that even though the garage door was unlocked and open!!

Defcon5 · 10 Apr 2008 at 01:35

[TW]Fox;11469025 said:
Will it really? How can they charge you with a civil offence?

Maybe not trespassing, but being found on enclosed premises is (I think its section 4 vagrancy act), with the intention of commiting an unlawful act

-

Picking a lock would be breaking and entering, nothing needs to be broken, only 'forced', and picking a lock is forcing it.

Vonhelmet · 10 Apr 2008 at 01:49

Defcon5 said:
Picking a lock would be breaking and entering, nothing needs to be broken, only 'forced', and picking a lock is forcing it.

I think breaking and entering requires there to be further unlawful intent once on the property... Like, breaking in with intent to steal things.

Defcon5 · 10 Apr 2008 at 01:55

vonhelmet said:
I think breaking and entering requires there to be further unlawful intent once on the property... Like, breaking in with intent to steal things.

If there is intent after entry into the property, its Burglary 91B, if the intent is there before entry, its burglary 91A.

If its just entering without further intent its breaking and entering it think.

Burnsy2023 · 10 Apr 2008 at 03:02

vonhelmet said:
As you imply, there is not. It's a civil tort.

It can be criminal depending where you trespass.

Burnsy

Yrkoon · 10 Apr 2008 at 03:34

Admiral Huddy said:
I locked myself a month or so ago and the Locksmith asked me for formal ID. I'm not sure if that has any law biding behind it or was just covering his bottom.

there was a scam on the real hustle where they called a locksmith and got free entry into a house.

i guess asking for id was to prevent a thing like that from happening

Kanifee · 10 Apr 2008 at 03:39

i should imagine not aslong as the owner of any lock being picked is aware your doing it, i could quite believe its not the knowledge thats ileagal its the practice of it on other peoples property that is.

Vonhelmet · 10 Apr 2008 at 07:44

Yrkoon said:
there was a scam on the real hustle where they called a locksmith and got free entry into a house.

i guess asking for id was to prevent a thing like that from happening

As I recall, the point of that was that Jess went through the bins to find enough ID to persuade them to let her in.

porta · 10 Apr 2008 at 09:56

Dj_Jestar said:
Breaking and Entering. If it's a property, then trespassing will also be charged.

i though there was no such law as trespass in england, else squatters would not have such an easy time.

semi-pro waster · 10 Apr 2008 at 10:41

porta said:
i though there was no such law as trespass in england, else squatters would not have such an easy time.

There is no direct law in Scotland regarding trespass (albeit there are certain exceptions such as military installations) which is where you might be getting confused. Trespass does exist in England although I'm not so familiar with the English legal system so you might want someone else to inform you of "squatters rights".

Muncher · 10 Apr 2008 at 10:47

If you're found with the kit - "going equipped" which is an offence under the theft act.

They may also go for criminal damage in that although the layman might not regard the lock as being damaged, legally by interfering with it you have impaired it's usefulness for a period of time, therefore a criminal damage prosecution is perfectly plausible.

meghatronic · 10 Apr 2008 at 12:00

nikebee said:
Yeah sure I understand that.

Do Policemen get a harsher sentence if they murder somebody, or if they drive dangerously because they have been shown how to properly use a gun and trained in how to drive at high speeds though?

Martial Artists usually get higher sentences for assaults.