UK Laws concerning Lockpicking.??

[alun456]

Hi, anyone have any idea what the laws in the UK are on lockpicking? All efforts of mine have just led to the fact that its illegal to even own a lockpick kit in washington DC, USA. Anyon know what the UK legal system says about lockpicking, and possetion of lockpick kits?

[jon2000uk]

AFAIK its not illegal to own or use lockpicks(legally!) here in the UK, but if you get stopped at 2am with a set hidden away - you had better have a good excuse!

As you could get charged with 'Going equiped for theft' if you can't convince the police otherwise at the time.

Jon

[Nem]

wouldnt it be the same for any hour of the day? if they stop you and find a pick set on you surely theyd think ud be 'going equipped for theft' anyway despite the time

[Chucklz]

Not necessarily. Imagine walking around with a crowbar at noon, then at midnight.

[Hawk2064]

Imagine walking around with a crowbar at noon, then at midnight.

Isn't that just as bad both times during a day? If I saw someone walking down the street toward me with a crowbar, good excuse or not, I going to be walking on the other side of the street.

[cormu]

there meny legitimate reasons to have a crow bar on your possession in the day time or between working hours ...... but not at night time

Anyone on there own with no particular destination or just loitering is suspisious at 2.00am in morning

[alun456]

Cant believe that actually worked. And so quick! ok thank you very much. I shall be posting more to pick youre brains!!!!

[Quin]

The onus will be on you to prove you have a good reason to be carrying them.

I would say without actually being in the locksmithing trade yourself you'd be hard pressed to convince a Policeman that you had a good reason to be carrying them.

Crime doesn't start at dusk so you can still be arrested mid afternoon if you can't give a valid reason for having them even then.

The crime of "going equipped" is broad and I know of someone who has been arrested going equipped when all he had was a Mars Bar and gloves on him (another story another time) so god help him if he had any lock picking tools on him

Saying it's a hobby would probably get you nice warm room for the night and you won't have your picks on you to give it a go getting out

Quin.

[jason]

I bounced this question around with a couple of friendly coppers.

If you can't give a good reason for having them in a public place, you are on a loser. Even being "in the trade" isn't good enough if the copper want's to be awkward (better make sure you've got the details of the job you're going out if you want to minimise any delay)

With lockpicks you have to prove that you are not going equipped, its not for the Police to prove that you are.

PS don't upset your local beat officer, it can work out useful sometimes, especially if he knows what you do for a living.

[Dosk3n]

yeah ots not illegal to pick locks that belong to other people like on houses either the illegal part is if you enter someones house after u picked the lock as its unlawfull entry

[CitySpider]

Are you seriously advocating picking the locks on random houses and then leaving?

If not, how come you posted that?

Even if you don't enter, that's still the "breaking" part of B&E. I can't imagine that it's legal. And even if it is, if someone else enters the house, I imagine that you share the liability. And even if it's not, and they don't, picking a lock you don't own is a darn good indication that you were "going equipped."

I'm not a lawyer, but I sure as heck wouldn't go up to someone's house and pick their lock. I'm not about getting shot. Or, uh, pummelled, or whatever you all do over there...

[Dosk3n]

first off i am a serious hobbyist so please do not encline that am im posing as some one that would go around opening rangom doors all i am saying is what has been told to me local officials, its not classed as B & E as there is no broken property to gain entrance thats why if you enter it is unlawfull entry. its not illegal in the UK as that would mean that every locksmith would be doing the 'breaking' part of B&E. But it would obviously be illegal if someone went around opening random doors all around the neighbourhood. Since I am the founder of LpUK (uk sports group) I had to look into the laws concerning lockpicking. But i do see what you mean as opening a lock that does not belong to you would be illegal The way i think the officials were on about was opening a lock with permission but entering afterwards if not invited is illegal. As I said before I am a serious hobbyist who does abide by the law. I do not dondole any illegal activities what so ever and I am sorry if i have brought any other thought across than that.

[marso]

Locksmiths are doing it with the permission of the owner, or who they believe is the owner. That is why they have insurance and stuff. I believe that you will be in trouble, but of course it depends if you get caught and if the cop is in a good mood and all that.

[Dosk3n]

I agree 100%.

What I have said previously has been taken the wrong way that is all.

Ill make it clear one more time, I do not condole in any illegal activities what so ever, even in previous polls I voted that I would not give information to people that seem to be wanting that info for illegal purposes.

[Chubby]

Dosk3n said:

#1."yeah ots not illegal to pick locks that belong to other people like on houses either the illegal part is if you enter someones house after u picked the lock as its unlawfull entry"

Dosk3n, what you have said was not taken the wrong way, what you said was said the wrong way!

I would suggest (and if you are starting a club this is a MUST!) that rather than ask a local official (what ever that means?) you buy yourself a book, the same books that police officers studying for their promotional examinations have to use, your average policeman does not know the law verbatim, and cannot be expected to, if you are going to rely on hearsay your going to end up finding out the hard way, don't take anyones word for it, cover your back and get informed by the experts.

PM jason! he sounds like he should be able to point you in the right direction...