[Glowormfairy]

I find it all a bit dodgy. The police leaving a laptop in the middle of the town centre and then arresting people for theft if they pick it up. Is blatent entrapment.
I can understand if they go out intentionally to steal the laptop but leaving it there as bait is a bit cruel. How do they know that the person who has the laptop isnt going to take it to the police station later?

[harry hamster]

Originally Posted by Glowormfairy

I find it all a bit dodgy. The police leaving a laptop in the middle of the town centre and then arresting people for theft if they pick it up. Is blatent entrapment.
I can understand if they go out intentionally to steal the laptop but leaving it there as bait is a bit cruel. How do they know that the person who has the laptop isnt going to take it to the police station later?

Stolen by a well known thief in that area.

[Glowormfairy]

Originally Posted by harry hamster

Stolen by a well known thief in that area.

Yep he was a well known thief however is still entrapment.

[Grouty]

I cound't believe those stupid women, who were rushing across the level crossing with their pushchairs, while the lights were going and the barriers were coming down!

[lundavra]

Originally Posted by Glowormfairy

I find it all a bit dodgy. The police leaving a laptop in the middle of the town centre and then arresting people for theft if they pick it up. Is blatent entrapment.
I can understand if they go out intentionally to steal the laptop but leaving it there as bait is a bit cruel. How do they know that the person who has the laptop isnt going to take it to the police station later?

Many police forces have been doing it with cars for a long time but it does seem very dodgy, if not illegal then certainly unethical. Probably relies on the scum doing the thieving not being able to afford expensive lawyers.

[Killary45]

Originally Posted by Glowormfairy

Yep he was a well known thief however is still entrapment.

I agree. The offence would not have happened if the police had not left the laptop there seemingly unattended.

It is one thing for police to set up hidden surveillance in a situation where crime is likely to happen, such as a car park where cars have been stolen, or a changing room where someone breaks into lockers, but quite another for them to deliberately leave bait.