Don't get burgled!

FortuitousFluke · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:13

I'm intrigued by the concept of private policing. Why don't we move to a system where we pay a group of people, a sum of money on a regular basis to ensure our property is safeguarded, protected, if you will. These men would need to be strapping lads to ensure that the average scally is loathe to break the law. In the event of a break in, why not have these upstanding members of society "pay a visit" to the culprit, to dissuade him from further schenanigans and to retrieve property?

We could even ensure costs are reasonable by allocating work on a locality basis, and then encouraging each firm to branch out from their territories using aggressive negotiation tactics, ensuring a strong and vibrant market place.

Of course non-payment of debt would need to be included as an enforceable crime, thus mitigating costly small claims proceedings.

The main benefit of course is that I would have a reason to buy a three piece suit and a stetson.

insane200 · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:15

Can't attend a real crime but it's ok for a man to sit in a van for hour's watching cars going a bit to fast, 21st century policing :/

Burnsy2023 · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:19

FortuitousFluke said:
I'm intrigued by the concept of private policing. Why don't we move to a system where we pay a group of people, a sum of money on a regular basis to ensure our property is safeguarded, protected, if you will. These men would need to be strapping lads to ensure that the average scally is loathe to break the law. In the event of a break in, why not have these upstanding members of society "pay a visit" to the culprit, to dissuade him from further schenanigans and to retrieve property?

We could even ensure costs are reasonable by allocating work on a locality basis, and then encouraging each firm to branch out from their territories using aggressive negotiation tactics, ensuring a strong and vibrant market place.

Of course non-payment of debt would need to be included as an enforceable crime, thus mitigating costly small claims proceedings.

The main benefit of course is that I would have a reason to buy a three piece suit and a stetson.

Just move to Russia or somewhere.

Burnsy2023 · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:19

insane200 said:
Can't attend a real crime but it's ok for a man to sit in a van for hour's watching cars going a bit to fast, 21st century policing :/

So investigating child abuse, online fraud or sexual assaults isn't real policing?

Uther · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:20

FortuitousFluke said:
Why don't we move to a system where we pay a group of people, a sum of money on a regular basis to ensure our property is safeguarded, protected, if you will.

I thought I did that already with my council tax! :rolleyes:

Glaucus · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:21

Defiant306 said:
Anyone else thinking that the Insurance companies are going to have a few unhappy words with the their local Tory MP about this?

If this comes to pass I can expect insurance policies to increase in cost as more people get away with more burglaries

No.
It's utterly pointless having police turn up 99% of the time. They don't do forensics, although I doubt forensics come out the vast majority.

They turn up take a statement, something that doesn't heed to be done in person. As most of the time it's I dint know anything other tha between x-y time.

wildman · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:22

so if I batter the crap out of a burglar with my 9 iron I won't then be taken to court and charged with assault or worse because I was defending my house and family due to the police freely admitting the would no longer attend a burglary call out ?

ShaolinDreams · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:22

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/sep/11/stevenmorris

This was an old friend of mine. Bit extreme but things like this really happen.

FortuitousFluke · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:23

Burnsy2023 said:
Just move to Russia or somewhere.

I was thinking more 1920's New York.

I was of course joking, the police force do an incrediblty difficult job on an ever shrinking budget, much like most other public sector organisations. Unfortunately it's only going to get worse, and that means cutting things that can be described as "non-essential".

Glaucus · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:23

wildman said:
so if I batter the crap out of a burglar with my 9 iron I won't then be taken to court and charged with assault or worse because I was defending my house and family due to the police freely admitting the would no longer attend a burglary call out ?

They would attend if a crime is in progress this wouldn't change.
2ndly only if CPS belived you were using reasonable force.

Burnsy2023 · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:23

wildman said:
so if I batter the crap out of a burglar with my 9 iron I won't then be taken to court and charged with assault or worse because I was defending my house and family due to the police freely admitting the would no longer attend a burglary call out ?

Burnsy2023 said:
For reference this does not include burglaries in progress, just ones where the offenders are long gone, so talking about protecting your home and reasonable force are moot. If you come home to find someone in your home, you can still expect a normal police response.

FortuitousFluke · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:23

Uther said:
I thought I did that already with my council tax!

But are those people Italian American? And do they have catchy names like "Big Vinnie"?

wildman · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:27

Glaucus said:
They would attend if a crime is in progress this wouldn't change.
2ndly only if CPS belived you were using reasonable force.

/me puts golf clubs back into the garage

Jono · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:29

What we need are some of this country's billionaires to become Batman.

FortuitousFluke · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:31

Jono said:
What we need are some of this country's billionaires to become Batman.

Unfortunately on previous form the most likely candidate is Richard Branson, and I'm just not sure he's got it in him.

stopper · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:42

phil675 said:
They're going to have to make defending your property a right then.

You already have that right, it is naturally inherent. Natural rights are not given to us by governments, police or courts.
The only thing you need to do is prove your actions are reasonable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_and_legal_rights

Burnsy2023 · 28 Jul 2015 at 14:44

Moses said:
Well, no, it doesn't become moot... because there's still the question people will have of how to act in the time between the 999 call and when police actually turn up.

But that hasn't changed.

Haggisman · 28 Jul 2015 at 15:10

Defiant306 said:
Anyone else thinking that the Insurance companies are going to have a few unhappy words with the their local Tory MP about this?

If this comes to pass I can expect insurance policies to increase in cost as more people get away with more burglaries

Isn't this going to make insurance fraud a lot easier as well?

Fancy a new TV?

Sell/dump the old one, smash a window, call the police & claim a break-in, get a crime reference number, call insurance co.

ThundyCat · 28 Jul 2015 at 15:22

Uther said:
I thought I did that already with my council tax!

I'd happily pay an extra tenner a month if it put more bobbies on the beat.

Flack88 · 28 Jul 2015 at 15:47

Best thing to do if you are being burgled is ring 999 and tell them you are going to shoot them. Guarantee they will be round asap.