See someone with Bolt Cutters - what would you do?

[SquareDaff]

In this case it was me.

Long story - but in summary. I've bought a trailer tent and recently noticed that the spare wheel had been padlocked into place and that I didn't have a key to undo it. So I borrowed some bolt cutters from work, transported them home, cut the lock and replaced it with one I do have a key for. Then brought the bolt cutters back into work today!

What amazes me is that last night I managed to cycle all the way home with a set of massive bolt cutters sticking out of the top of my panniers (black panniers - bright orange bolt cutters - so a little obvious) I was passed by 3 police cars - one going in the opposite direction, 2 the same. Not one of them queried me! Granted I was wearing cycling gear - but so could a bike thief!!! If I had been stopped I wouldn't have minded and to be honest would probably have been reassured that there was some potentially preventative police work going on.

I managed to do the reverse trip this morning...again no challenges.

Am I the only one surprised by this?!?!?!

 

[Beebo]

Not surprised in the least.

It's not a criminal offence to carry bolt cutters, and without witness evidence of you actually stealing a bike there is nothing the police could do even if you were a known bike thief with a long history. It would be a complete waste of both your time and the police's time.

 

[SquareDaff]

I wouldn't have considered it a waste of my time! If I'd have seen me last night I'd have been suspicious of myself! I wouldn't have blamed any authority figure for questioning me!

 

[BSRU]

Is there not some law with regards being tooled up to steal bicycles, I cannot remember if it is a real law or one I have made up.

 

[subaqua]

I wouldn't have considered it a waste of my time! If I'd have seen me last night I'd have been suspicious of myself! I wouldn't have blamed any authority figure for questioning me!

till you actually got stopped , then kicked off about going to catch real criminals .


police in this country are damned if they do and damned if they don't

 

[SquareDaff]

till you actually got stopped , then kicked off about going to catch real criminals .


police in this country are damned if they do and damned if they don't

Not by me. Think I was just expecting to be stopped and am (for some bizarre reason) shocked by how ambivalent everyone seems to be nowadays! A sad reflection on society unfortunately.

 

[calibanzwei]

Doesn't surprise me tbh - I've been pulled over twice in my cycling 'life' - but not in the last 10 years. Cycling without lights (to be fair it was 4am!) and cycling whilst transporting another bike (held alongside, my brothers which my then g/f had used to cycle home).
Guess it depends how obvious the croppers were (partially hidden in panniers... at night). Hmmm.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

I'd have shot you on sight, anyone with bolt cutters is a potential bike thief, and therefore shot on the spot!

 

[SquareDaff]

I'd have shot you on sight, anyone with bolt cutters is a potential bike thief, and therefore shot on the spot!

Never used them before - I was shocked just how easily they cut through the "hardened steel" padlock. I'll be revising my thoughts on bike lock security in future.

 

[fossyant]

Not surprised. We've all seen the videos of folk watching staged thefts.

 

[subaqua]

Never used them before - I was shocked just how easily they cut through the "hardened steel" padlock. I'll be revising my thoughts on bike lock security in future.

I used a leatherman pair of pliers to cut sa cable lock on a bike at work after the lock jammed . thankfully not on my bike but my mates apollo BSO. his new D lock cost more than the bike !!

 

[Digital_Cowboy]

Not surprised. We've all seen the videos of folk watching staged thefts.

Is it possible in regards to the staged thefts that some of those who walked by had a feeling that it was staged? I would think that a practiced thief is going to behave differently then a first time thief.

 

[Digital_Cowboy]

I used a leatherman pair of pliers to cut sa cable lock on a bike at work after the lock jammed . thankfully not on my bike but my mates apollo BSO. his new D lock cost more than the bike !!

One time I had to cut the stitching on one of my pannier bags, after I accidentally locked my keys in it. And no one challenged me as to what I was doing or why.

 

[SquareDaff]

I'd do a citezens on you, and wait for the police to come. This would make you prove that you own said item, causing inconvinience to you.

That would be an interesting scenario as I don't own the bike. It was purchased on a cycle to work scheme so in theory my company owns it!!

 

[siadwell]

I'd do a citezens on you, and wait for the police to come.

Required reading, then:
http://www.guardian....citizens-arrest