Carrying picks in the UK

[sivlogkart]

That is useful to know as I was feeling a bit bad about saying UK cops are a bit dim in another post!

KJ

[toomush2drink]

Im not bothered weather you carry them at all and im not a copper but a lockie.
We have several coppers who are on this site and both are very skilled pickers as i know from past meet ups and far from dim.

[sivlogkart]

I also know some smart cops, but I have seen many more really dim ones. The problem in Hertfordshire is that we are next to London that has better pay, so we do not get the best.

I have done a lot of very good advanced driving courses and met some smart cops through those, but they do not know about lockpicking too.

I would be interested to know who here is a UK cop.

KJ

[digital_blue]

You know, I think it's worth noting that there's really two questions here:

1) Is it *illegal* to carry picks?
2) Will you get hassled by police if you're found carrying picks?

I have not researched the UK at all, but in my area the answer to #1 is most certainly no. As for question #2, that's anybody's best guess. I think that, for the most part, many police officers are more inclined to play it safe and try and prevent crime, if they think that you may be out to commit one, but in the case of pick tools I don't know really how much they could do.

I carry tools in my vehicle at all times, just for the few times when I have a legitimate reason to use them. If I were ever questioned by police about the tools, of course I would be completely honest about what they are, and why I carry them. At that point, the police really only have a few options as I see it. They could:
a) Accept my story and leave me with my picks.
b) Decide to lay charges under the Criminal Code of Canada
c) Confiscate the picks and leave it to me to sort it out.

Of course, (a) is what I'd be hoping for. If they chose option (b) they would have a tough time of it, because the Criminal Code of Canada does not say it is illegal to own picks, but rather to possess them "with intent". It may end up being a whole bunch of hassle for me, but I am pretty confident that I would not actually be convicted. My guess is that they would probably lean toward option (c), but they'd definately have an argument ahead of them. Probably in the end though, they'd leave with my picks, and I'd have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get them back.

So, the question becomes "What level of hassle are you prepared to go through for the sake of carrying your picks?". In my case anyway, it's not about whether I'm breaking the law or not. I'm not. But I accept that there is at least a small chance that I will someday have to go through some hassles as a result of the picks. So my choice is to keep the picks in my vehicle. I don't keep them in my pocket. I don't stuff them in my underwear (as I remember a member here some time ago talking about). I simply have them in my truck, because that limits the likelihood that I will ever have a problem, but keeps them close at hand for the times that I need them.

Of course, it's still important to ensure that the laws in your area are in fact on your side. That's a pretty important part of the equation.

db

[sivlogkart]

I will at some stage check on the legal position in the UK, but it is most likely similar to were you are.

KJ

[Rob Gray]

well as a plad i can see the idea of carrying pick but do you get time to pick or is it just a boot for speed?

and i'm suprised PC Pink has not piped up !!

I'm not taking the mick just i have friends that are police officers and i know that picking is a nice idea but time is short and not enough cops about.

Rob G

[Lessavit]

In the UK it IS illegal to carry the picks.

Our legal system is more relaxed than america but tighter than Canada.

Ive heard of a few people getting caught with picks who will have them confiscated and have a court summons sent to them. On the other hand i do believe that the Great British Police have alot to learn.

Someone said earlier that cops cannot identify when a lock has been picked... and i can tell you why... cause the thieves who are clever enough to pick a lock to gain entry, are also clever enough to realise if they clear the house out of all valuables 200 - 300 and above and smash the window, the insurance company after 3 months will have the house fully stocked again with brand new gear. Thieves will just repeat. I have a funny feeling this post might get blocked actually but im stating this as a security reason as it has happened to me, but the police refused to see it as a picked lock.

Also if i remember rightly most of the apartment and house doors in america are of a very standard lock. It may be different to what ive been told. But i have been informed that majority of locks can be picked with a scoring knife and a mica. Police would expect that to happen.

In the UK the market is flooded with UPVC doors which to the police are "Unpentrable". Their only doing what theyve been taught though so no harm against them.

[Shrub]

It is illegal to carry breaking tools or be equiped to do so, if you are found to be carrying them in the middle of the day with some locks with them you will be fine but if your found behind a school at 3am you will not be fine.

The problem with our laws is that nothing is black and white, they are designed so they can be bent to suit the particular situation.

[illusion]

Yes... I see you really are top-dog on legality.

I was stopped once by a policeman with a group of friends. We did nothing illegal, but saw a group of younger kids getting hammered by some older guys and stepped in to stop it. We all got questioned as to what happened, and told them that we were simply stopping a group of bullies - all going well, and got thanked by the police since no violence was needed on our behalf and we did the right thing.

Then my mate runs ooff to grab our bags and throews mine to me... the bag is open and my Southord pickset rolls out onto the floor right in front of the copper's feet. At this point I'm kicking myself and dreading the worst - he picks them up and before handing them back to me, asks the dreaded question "What are these then?" and I could only reply "They're lockpicks" Now he eyes me for a bit and then asks why I'm carrying them, and now comes the worrying part "I pick locks, but I do it for enjoyment and for the skill value" He seemed satified with this, and said that he rarely heard of locks being picked in a burglary so gave them back to me and drives off. No caution, no confiscation, and there were 3 other coppers with him at the time so it was fully legit.

Wait... so somebody picks the lock wasting precious time, but getting in unheard, sio therefore relatively safe unless they were seen. They loot the house, and then throw a brick through the window alerting anybody within audible proximity thus reducing your chances of getting out witthout difficulty.

Actualy they know that UPVC sucks - it's plastic for crying out loud!

I suggest you stop making unfounded statements and maquerading them as facts.

[quicklocks]

it seems its down to individual copper here if he thinks you look dodgey then chances are he will arrest you and confiscate the picks, what you have to remember is that they are tools to open locks.
so's a crowbar i here you say or a screwdriver, they will open locks
yes they do but they have their proper use.
i would not like to argue this with the magistraite cus as far as he is concerned will be you were carring tools that are designed to open locks nothing else. i think at the very least if it goes to court you will get done for going equiped.

[Shrub]

Yes... I see you really are top-dog on legality................


..............I suggest you stop making unfounded statements and maquerading them as facts.

Me?

[illusion]

No

I was referring to 'Lessavit'.

I left the reply box for a while then rememberred and posted, hence being posted after you.

[Shrub]

Ah, sorry.

[illusion]

No problem.

[dazza]

Hi

It would be good if we got this question answerd once and for all.might go to local police station tomorrow and ask. but then again same has db says i think it all depends on the policeman and the circumstances of who you are and who your with where your going and so on.we will have to wait and see.