Posted on 07/10/2009 7:07:59 PM PDT by naturalman1975
Police community support officers have startled homeowners by wandering uninvited into their properties during a burglary crackdown.
If doors were left open, the civilian officers - nicknamed 'Blunkett's Bobbies' after the Home Secretary who created them - walked straight into homes.
On occasions, they came face-toface with residents who were pottering around at home in the seaside resort of Hove in East Sussex.
Critics claim the move is an abuse of power and could amount to trespass.
One resident, who came face to face with a PCSO in her home, said she was 'totally shocked' when she met the officer in her kitchen.
The 38-year-old, who did not want to be named, said: 'I was just pottering around in the kitchen and then all of a sudden there was an officer in front of me.
'I really didn't know what to make of it and just stared at her for a while.
'She had clambered through my living room window and started lecturing me about crime prevention. I thought it was a bit much really, but it did make me think.'
But police insist that officers have an obligation to investigate doors which have been left open in case an intruder is inside.
Hove was hit by a wave of burglariesas people left windows and doors open during the recent heatwave.
PCSO Sarah Thurley admitted that during the anti-burglary drive she and colleague Julie Wornham walked into people's homes when they found a door open. 'If we saw an open door we walked straight into the hallway,' she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
There was a Spongebob episode where Spongebob was a hall monitor and took it upon himself to crawl into open windows and unlocked doors to show people how unsafe they are.
Whatever happened to “ an Englishman’s home is his castle”?
Ha! They should try this in Texas.
I guess a flat isn’t a castle.
I guess stupid cop tricks like this is the reason Brits can’t have guns in their homes. Try this in Texas and there would be lots of clean-up work needed.
An Englishman’s home is his castle?
ROLFMAO! Surveillance cameras on every streetcorner, self defense is now a crime, don’t you dare criticise the Muzzies, every policeman carries a “pocket warrant” and barges in wherever he pleases...etc.
“Britons never, never, never, will be slaves.”
In a pig’s eye!
Farewell, Britannia! You now lie in a deeper grave than RMS Titanic!
The gendarmes here don’t do that here because they most likely would get introduced to some high velocity lead.
Stupid as this ‘strategy’ is, if the doors and windows were locked, the police would only have a very limited right to enter. They only have this power because the home has not been secured against entry.
There are different rules concerning open/unlocked and locked doors.
To live in such bliss! We should be so lucky.
Whatever happened to stay the h-ll out of private property or residences?
Wow, any bobbie entering my home uninvited would probably be met with a bark and hold by my large dog. I would not want to be the one who has to launder the guy’s shorts afterward...now if I were to invite him in we could all have tea together :-)
Yeah, try that sh!t at night here in Texas. Hint: We’ve got nasty laws for B&E or even trespassing at night. Then again, we’re still citizens, not subjects, and our state govt still cares about its people’s rights.
PS Austin and Plano excluded...
LOL, ya beat me to it...
Crawl through my window and see what happens!
Sounds to me they may have solved the burglary mystery
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