Police 'steal' valuables from cars in a lesson for drivers

daily mail ^ | 3:22 PM on 25th August 2009 | Daily Mail Reporter

[Charlespg]

Police are removing valuables from unlocked cars to shock motorists into being more careful.

Officers in London are taking everything from handbags to satnavs, and leaving a note telling drivers their property is at a local police station.

[Charlespg]

Whiskey tango foxtrot ?

[Senator_Blutarski]

Obviously, the subjects of the Queen are not allowed to live their lives as they see fit.

Looks like police theft to me...

[DieHard the Hunter]

> Obviously, the subjects of the Queen are not allowed to live their lives as they see fit.

Point-of-order. We aren’t “Subjects of the Queen” any more than you are a “Subject of Obama”.

We are British Citizens.

[a fool in paradise]

And what if they find some sort of “contraband” while snooping around?

[Truth29]

Hmmm. Oh the urge to put a bank dye pack in with some of the valuables...

[a fool in paradise]

But we are now subjects of Fearless Leader.

[LongElegantLegs]

The British Nanny State.

[kingu]

It is theft. If I choose to leave my car unlocked, that’s none of their business. And the people of London should be seriously wondering if it’s time to cut the police budget if they’ve got enough time to go around and check and make sure people locked their cars, confiscate personal property, and log them into the local police station. Sounds like someone’s begging to become unemployed.

[Hodar]

Easy fix.

My bag had $30,000 in it (or some large sum). The bag was taken, and this police letter was left behind. I reclaimed my stolen bag .... where's my cash!!! Where's my diamond ring that was in the bag? Where's my Star Wars collector's decoder watch? Where's my camcorder?

Then sue for theft. When they take your possessions, don't they assume liability for those possessions?

[wbill]

I had a boss who insisted that all of his people lock their workstation on getting up from their desk.

If you left your workstation unlocked, he'd send rude emails to various people (usually other managers) from your workstation, then leave you to explain the consequences.

He also insisted that your laptop be chained to your desk (like a bicycle chain, and about as effective). He'd steal your computer if he saw it unlocked.

It was one of the more childish, degrading, and insulting things that I've ever put up with as an employee. I left at the first opportunity. Turning my notice into this guy was a pleasure.

I was the first to quit, the rest of the team followed shortly after. The guy got sacked for "High Turnover". Hope that he found a job more his speed in the roadside maintenance, or custodial professions.

[KarlInOhio]

Let's see, we can enforce the laws against "honor killings" and other such bits of 7th century Arabia brought in by our new guests, or we can harass people who leave their cars unlocked. Well, the car owners are so cowed that they won't fight back.

[Star Traveler]

You said — If I choose to leave my car unlocked, that’s none of their business.

—

Those bobbies would probably agree with you, as long as you never called them in the case your car was stolen and/or anything was stolen in it... LOL...

I’m sure they would be agreeable... :-)

[DieHard the Hunter]

The last time Americans were “Subjects” they dealt to that situation resolutely.

[Star Traveler]

You said — And what if they find some sort of “contraband” while snooping around?

—

Ummm..., they’ll probably stick around until you come back and ask you if the stuff is yours. If you say no, they’ll thank you and take it off your hands. If you say yes, well..., you’re on your way to the station... LOL...

[KarlInOhio]

He also insisted that your laptop be chained to your desk (like a bicycle chain, and about as effective). He'd steal your computer if he saw it unlocked.

That would just be begging for a response. Pick up a beater 386 laptop for $10 on eBay and put a trigger to a very, very loud alarm underneath it. A speaker yelling "Stop thief" at 120 dB will get him second guessing his decisions.

[TornadoAlley3]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8219906.stm
turning door knobs at homes too

[Dr. Sivana]

I drive older cars. Often the locks are difficult to operate. Even when that is not the case, I often leave my doors unlocked as the stuff inside the car is usually less valuable than my car window. I've been doing this for 20 years and have only a lost bottle of Heet to show for it.

In Brockville Ontario, it is an infraction to not lock your car. My Dutch grandfather-in-law, a subject in mentality if not in fact, thought that was wonderful. I held my tongue out of respect and not wanting to make trouble for my wife.

[Star Traveler]

Some people would rather blame those bobbies for taking stuff out of their car and down to the station, instead of the common sense method of taking things out and locking up the car...

Oh..., and somebody will say something stupid like, “What if those bobbies steal some of the stuff?!”... :-) (of course, common sense tells you that a thief walking by will steal stuff, too... LOL...).