COPS criticised for 'burgling' homes

paulofessex

Where do you stand on this issue?

COPS have been criticised for 'burgling' homes — in a bizarre bid to prevent crime.

The officers walked into homes through unlocked doors and open windows and left behind swag bags packed with valuable items they found.
The controversial operation was designed to show how easy it is for burglars to break into properties.
But some residents were unaware their property had been "burgled" — even though they were at home at the time.


Read more: Sun Newspaper 29/03/2010

fifi35

Great idea, will make people aware of how easy it is. Best to be burgled by a copper than billy burglar himself.
Will save the tax payer money in the end and the intended victim a lot of heartache.

paulofessex

I know it would put the wind up me if they done it to me however as the article addresses they are leaving themselves open to being attacked.

fifi35

Well I am sure they have thought about that. They are probably sick to death of the same people being victims of crime over and over again which is a waste of police resources and tax payers money.

Paul_Varjak

What if the Police scared someone to death by entering their home? Would they be liable to criminal prosecution for manslaughter?

fwor

It seems a good piece of lateral and practical thinking. Many (particularly older) people simply aren't aware of the relatively recent trend for criminals to "commute" long distances to places where the houses are easier for them to get into.

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

What if the Police scared someone to death by entering their home? Would they be liable to criminal prosecution for manslaughter?

Surely the fact that they are uniformed, and that they would have been unaware of any medical condition(s) that the occupants might have would make that a bit unlikely?

meritaten

hmmmm - and how many people would be tempted to claim that items were actually MISSING?
the police are leaving themselves wide open to charges of theft here!

ChrisCobra

April fools!

DCFC79

If it makes people be more aware of things they havent done then surely its a good idea, not such a good idea if they wer eto do it when people are are in bed though, i heard the story last year, the sun seem to be a bit slow

Kayteehee

This is horrendous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suffer from anxiety and would probably have a massive panic attack if the police entered my home....... how ridiculous of them.

I understand the point but surely there are better ways to promote security.

trisontana

Kayteehee wrote: »

This is horrendous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suffer from anxiety and would probably have a massive panic attack if the police entered my home....... how ridiculous of them.

I understand the point but surely there are better ways to promote security.

Surely if you suffer from anxiety, then hopefully you will have secured your home already, thus preventing the police from entering your house.