blades taken by police - advice please

[baldscot]

Cool, thanks for that.

Based on that information I don't believe you have anything to be worried about. Sadly the two officers dealing with you at teh station seem to be more concerned with covering their own butts rather than hauling yours in. I'd relax until you hear back from them and take it from there.

cheers for that

 

[Robbi]

Cool, thanks for that.

Based on that information I don't believe you have anything to be worried about. Sadly the two officers dealing with you at teh station seem to be more concerned with covering their own butts rather than hauling yours in. I'd relax until you hear back from them and take it from there.

I can't honestly see how Mr. Plod can return the knives.............

So, Mr. Policeman, you willingly returned these knives to a member of the public to walk home with, he then gets mugged and the knives stolen, the very knives that were used to stab a young mother in a robbery two days later, these knives were in your control and you let them back into the community............WHAT WERE YOU THINKING OF MR. POLICEMAN !

 

[baldscot]

If he accepted a caution he's liable to lose his job next time he's CRB checked.

That's my biggest worry. I would get a chance to explain the circumsatnces to my employer, but ultimately i work with vulnerable young people so it would cause problems

 

[Barn Owl]

Firstly, the advice to put the tools in the car, fair enough,keeps all happy,pc goes away and very unlikely to return.
secondly, there was no need to take your tools to a police station,each query of use and possession of a tool is subject to the circumstances at the time.
you will most probably get them back with the advice to keep things discreet.(the police won't want to appear weak and unknowledgeable,so as far as they're concerned the items are in safe keeping pending enquiries.)
As said ignorance of the law is of no defence whatsoever.
Tom
(retired scots constable and advocate of common sense, although I reserve the right to blame mid life crisis atany meets,lol)

 

[Chiseller]

Can we have more detail on the discussions and actions within the police station when you handed the items to them, and the reaction and conversation that ensued at that time.

Of course - i was taken to an office by 2 officers (1 male, 1 female). I had the knives in a bag, inside another bag (a cheap brifcase type for work). I had already explained why i was there. The male officer removed the bag and then knives / axe / saw one by one. Straight away he told me he would have probably arrested me if he had been the officer dealing initially. When i spoke about them being used for the purposes they are intended he went away and came back a few mins later with a print out of the offensive weapons act. He read it then asked if i had any questions - i pointed out the section which mentions "reasonable excuse" and stated i believed i had this. He argued that the next paragraph mentions work, religious belief or national dress and, as none of these applied, i had broken the law. I was then advised that he would be confiscating the knives as he could lose his job if i left the station and stabbed someone. He then said i could get them back if the initial officer was in agreement - i was advised they would contact him when he is next on shift to discuss, they will then contact me. All blades were measured and a description of each written in notebook, which i signed. I was told before leaving that i seem like a reasonable person and hold a position of trust (in terms of my job) so they think i will get them back.

Please note - given some of the more comments so far - i have tried to be as accurate as i can here. I will try to answer any questions as accurately as i can but it is a bit of a strange situation which i am still tryin to get my head round.

Sounds reyt enough , reckon tha can sleep well .

Sorry abaht the keyboards gents

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[baldscot]

This is the best bit of advice given, so id thought id quote again, just in case you missed it.

Didn't miss it - just struggling to keep up lol! If i have no other options then i suppose i will need a solicitor. But to be honest i'm skint - she's already crackin up at what i've spent on kit, can only imagine her response if i need to pay a lawyer in order to keep it. If charges are brought, obviously i'll have no option, but i'd rather avoid the expense.

 

[JonathanD]

I can't honestly see how Mr. Plod can return the knives.............

So, Mr. Policeman, you willingly returned these knives to a member of the public to walk home with, he then gets mugged and the knives stolen, the very knives that were used to stab a young mother in a robbery two days later, these knives were in your control and you let them back into the community............WHAT WERE YOU THINKING OF MR. POLICEMAN !

That wouldn't happen. If they were taken by force after given back, the police were acting on, and adhering to the law. They can't act upon unforseen or future events based upon infinite possibilities. That's why in the future, Tom Cruise founds and heads up the Pre-Crime Division.

 

[Barn Owl]

That's my biggest worry. I would get a chance to explain the circumsatnces to my employer, but ultimately i work with vulnerable young people so it would cause problems

We don't have cautions as alternatives to going to court in Scotland.
don't worry mate, you'll not get in trouble.
the attitudes, knowledge and demeanour of some cops is woeful,they're not all the same.
it's all a case of covering ones backside nowadays too,common sense and discretion have been taken out of their hands in the main.

 

[Chiseller]

Didn't miss it - just struggling to keep up lol! If i have no other options then i suppose i will need a solicitor. But to be honest i'm skint - she's already crackin up at what i've spent on kit, can only imagine her response if i need to pay a lawyer in order to keep it. If charges are brought, obviously i'll have no option, but i'd rather avoid the expense.

Your first meeting and initial advice from a solicitor should be free, and you can go to a few solicitors to compare advice. A morning off work, would pay dividends in the end as you can compare advice and costs, payment methods (instalments) etc

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

 

[baldscot]

Firstly, the advice to put the tools in the car, fair enough,keeps all happy,pc goes away and very unlikely to return.
secondly, there was no need to take your tools to a police station,each query of use and possession of a tool is subject to the circumstances at the time.
you will most probably get them back with the advice to keep things discreet.(the police won't want to appear weak and unknowledgeable,so as far as they're concerned the items are in safe keeping pending enquiries.)
As said ignorance of the law is of no defence whatsoever.
Tom


(retired scots constable and advocate of common sense, although I reserve the right to blame mid life crisis atany meets,lol)

Thanks for comment - my concern was if they did return (he was not a happy man) or if i get stopped in future and this is logged. I don't the police to think i am disregarding them - i think we can all guess what the consequences would be.

 

[vizsla]

I think the problem lies with the fact you didnt see the officer who asked you to bring the tools to the station. Like jd said i think you will be fine
good luck pal

 

[baldscot]

We don't have cautions as alternatives to going to court in Scotland.
don't worry mate, you'll not get in trouble.
the attitudes, knowledge and demeanour of some cops is woeful,they're not all the same.
it's all a case of covering ones backside nowadays too,common sense and discretion have been taken out of their hands in the main.

Totally agree, and i have dealt with some great police officers through my job. There is also a retired cop in the family who has agreed to come to the station with me if / when i get a call. This is so i have a witness and someone with more knowledge on police procedure (writen and unwritten) than I. I understand this is not as ideal as having a lawyer with me, but as previously stated, money is an issue.

 

[baldscot]

I think the problem lies with the fact you didnt see the officer who asked you to bring the tools to the station. Like jd said i think you will be fine
good luck pal

Sounds about right - cheers for the support

 

[baldscot]

Your first meeting and initial advice from a solicitor should be free, and you can go to a few solicitors to compare advice. A morning off work, would pay dividends in the end as you can compare advice and costs, payment methods (instalments) etc

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Free is good!! Seriously, thanks for that. I just assumed lawyers charged silly money just to walk in their door. I will pursue that so thanks again.

 

[Dartmoor navigator]

Free is good!! Seriously, thanks for that. I just assumed lawyers charged silly money just to walk in their door. I will pursue that so thanks again.

Citizens advice bureau may be worth a call as well.

 

[baldscot]

Citizens advice bureau may be worth a call as well.

Good call, i will check on my nearest one and call in. Thanks

 

[Laurentius]

All of this has very little to do with law and much more to do with psychology and sociology. That is to say the relationship between those appointed to hold authority, and those with whom they are dealing. There are codes of respect, people who they are likely to challenge and people who they would not dare to, having an inbuilt notion of a societal pecking order. If your face is wrong, then you have had it, if however you exude a natural aura of righteousness and superiority, then they will doff the proverbial cap. Problem is it is all rather unpredictable as to when you fit in one category or the other. If you can carry off a natural authority, then you have little to fear, if on the other hand you look like the stereotypical "bit of a geezer" then it is a different matter.

 

[Chiseller]

Your first meeting and initial advice from a solicitor should be free, and you can go to a few solicitors to compare advice. A morning off work, would pay dividends in the end as you can compare advice and costs, payment methods (instalments) etc

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Free is good!! Seriously, thanks for that. I just assumed lawyers charged silly money just to walk in their door. I will pursue that so thanks again.

My pleasure. Just make sure you have all the questions you need to ask clearly thought out, and take whatever written evidence, statment of facts etc with you. Most solicitors will give you roughly half an hour. Ask about costs last. Don't jump in with the first one, just because he/she sound like they can guarentee the results you seek. There are NO guarentees

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

 

[baldscot]

All of this has very little to do with law and much more to do with psychology and sociology. That is to say the relationship between those appointed to hold authority, and those with whom they are dealing. There are codes of respect, people who they are likely to challenge and people who they would not dare to, having an inbuilt notion of a societal pecking order. If your face is wrong, then you have had it, if however you exude a natural aura of righteousness and superiority, then they will doff the proverbial cap. Problem is it is all rather unpredictable as to when you fit in one category or the other. If you can carry off a natural authority, then you have little to fear, if on the other hand you look like the stereotypical "bit of a geezer" then it is a different matter.

Unfortunately i fear you are correct - not that i would consider myself a "geezer" lol. A bit of consistency would be nice i.e. if i was breaking the law, i will accept this and there will be no repeat, if i'm not then i just want to be left alone to get on with it. I think i may be expecting a bit much tho.

 

[baldscot]

My pleasure. Just make sure you have all the questions you need to ask clearly thought out, and take whatever written evidence, statment of facts etc with you. Most solicitors will give you roughly half an hour. Ask about costs last. Don't jump in with the first one, just because he/she sound like they can guarentee the results you seek. There are NO guarentees

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Again, thanks. Nice to be receiving some constructive advice rather than than the initial "you're full of xxxx"! Felt like i was having to justify myself for a while