Posted on 02/14/2011 7:47:34 AM PST by SeekAndFind
A spate of thefts in several towns and villages in Kent and Surrey over the past few months led to many householders taking action to protect their property.
Some have been warned by police that using wire mesh to reinforce shed windows was ''dangerous’’ and could lead to criminals claiming compensation if they ''hurt themselves’’.
Thieves target sheds to steal lawnmowers, power drills, bicycles and a variety of DIY tools.
Thomas Cooper, of Tatsfield, Surrey, used wire mesh to protect three of his garden sheds after two break-ins over the past four years. He decided to take action after reports of a rise in garden raids in the area.
Mr Cooper said: “I reinforced my shed windows with wire mesh, but was told by the police I had to be very careful because thieves can actually sue you if they get hurt.
''It is ridiculous that the law protects them even though they are breaking it.”
Last month Samantha Cullum, a mother-of-three, of Brasted, near Sevenoaks in Kent, had her whole shed stolen when thieves lifted it on to a lorry.
She said: “We had some tools stolen every now and again, but this time they took the entire shed – I couldn’t believe it.”
Dave Bishop, of Tatsfield, said: “The law is so stupid, and you never know what decision judges are going to make. People do get fed up with these people trying to help themselves to things which you have worked hard to gather together.”
Pc John Lee, a crime reduction officer for Tandridge, said: “We are constantly advising home owners to protect their property and the contents of their shed or garage, however, a commonsense approach needs to be taken.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
To: SeekAndFind
3 S’s
******Shoot, shovel, shut up.
OH WAIT this is the UK
make that the 3 B’s
Bludgeon, bury, be quite********
Durn it! I was gong to same the exact same thing with...”Bash and bury”.
Then great minds think alike. I wish I knew where I lost mine.
England “finest hour” was a long time ago in a nation that no longer exists.
In short, the stupid laws they have in old England won’t be passed in Texas :)
From the rest of the article, it sounds like she was lucky they didn't accidentally drop it on themselves while lifting it -- she could have been in serious trouble, letting them pick up her shed like that. :-)
Still no good. Bludgeons are illegal in the UK too. Their only options are using a 'Comfy Chair', 'Soft Pillow' or a 'Tickle Feather'
(Monty Python was so ahead of their time, and from what we see now -- they could foretell the future)
There was an incident in Minnesota where a bugler fell through a skylight and landed on a kitchen table. Got hurt real bad and sued the homeowner and won. There was an actual mention of the incident in the move “Liar Liar”. The guy got around 8k but did go to jail.
How does anybody make through to your doorbell?
At my house, the biggest danger for burglars is falling onto some bullets.
Well, we do have a driveway, for those who can find it ...
[smile]
Ohhhh!
:o)
Just leave the bloody shed open for the burglars. After all, they have a right to just waltz right in and take what is rightfully theirs. The shed owner is obviously an oppressor and is eeeevvvviiiillll and the burglar is oppressed and should be able to take whatever he wants.
< / s>
There was an incident in Minnesota where a bugler fell through a skylight and landed on a kitchen table. Got hurt real bad and sued the homeowner and won. There was an actual mention of the incident in the move “Liar Liar”. The guy got around 8k but did go to jail.
well if he was blowing the bugle on the roof & could not see where he was going i think a warning sign would of been appropiate...
Yeah, I can see it: WARNING!!DANGER!! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER THIS HOUSE FROM THIS SKYLIGHT! USE THE DAMN DOOR LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!
To arrest the victims, of course!
That's why you have to be quite.
The insanity reigns supreme in the UK. What a disgrace of a country for decent people to reside. I have a very bad feeling about the upcoming Olympics.
Yep. Razor wire should solve a lot of the problem.
Lunacy reigns in a once great nation.
So I guess a shotgun in a vise inside the shed with a wire to the door handle would be out of the question?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.