Thieves and firearms

Gun Law and Crime in the UK

The UK has some of the strictest gun laws in the whole world. If you want to own a gun, the law makes it very difficult to do so and you will be subject to stringent controls. This of course is bad news to the thief, as possessing a gun legally is not as simple as it sounds.

Gun laws exist to try and avert terrible tragedies such as the recent Northumberland and Cumbrian shootings by Raoul Moat and Derrick Bird respectively in 2010, the 1987 Hungerford killings by Michael Ryan and the Dunblane massacre in 1996 committed by Thomas Hamilton.

However, even with stringent laws, these individuals managed to carry out their evil crimes.

During 2007, nine young people lost their lives in shootings, 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Liverpool was one of them. There were 59 firearms related murders in 2006 -2007, compared with 49 in the 2005 – 2006. That represents an 18% rise in just one year.

There were 507 serious injuries from firearms, that’s more than one incident a day. However, the trend in gun crime overall has been going down. This indicates that even with atrocities like these, the UK has one of the lowest rates of gun-related murders in the world. This is a figure that is four times lower than the USA, for example.

What are the Gun Laws in the UK?

In England and Wales, firearms and guns are subject to controls under the Firearms Act 1968, which has been amended several times in response to tragedies like Hungerford and Dunblane.

In Northern Ireland, the laws are covered by the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 and are slightly more relaxed. In Scotland, gun laws are a bit more stringent due to the Dunblane murders, and they are subject to the Scotland Act 1998. This is under review with a view to tightening up the laws further to include legislation for air rifles which have been responsible for an alarming increase in misuse in recent years.

Any person who owns a firearm must hold a relevant certificate to prove that they are a suitable person to possess a weapon. There are two types of certificate that can be issued: a Shotgun Certificate or a Firearms Certificate.

Firearms or Shotgun Certificate?

There are some differences between the two certificates and the processes which an individual needs to go through in order to be granted one of them. A Firearms Certificate is generally harder to obtain because you have to explain why you need the weapon and justify your case for owning it.

Firearms Licences are normally only issued if the person applying can show that they have a genuine sporting or work-related reason for owning a weapon.

Shotguns are treated differently because there is the stance that, in the UK, anyone is theoretically entitled to own a shotgun as they are traditionally used for hunting and pest control purposes.

Shotguns (Section 2 Firearms under the 1968 Act as amended) are defined in UK law as ‘smoothbore’ firearms with barrels not shorter than 24 inches (60 cm) and a bore not larger than 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, no revolving cylinder, and either no magazine or a non-detachable magazine that is not capable of holding more than two cartridges’. They are subject to slightly less rigorous checks and an individual can own as many shotguns as they like, as long as they can prove that they have safe storage capacity for all of them.

What are the regulations?

In order to obtain one of these documents, you need to apply to your local police station. The Police keep a register of all the firearms owners in the area. They hold details of the make, model and serial number of all weapons and they carry out checks to ensure that the person in control of the weapon is of sound character and has no previous criminal convictions, such as theft or burglary.

Anyone who has received a conviction of a sentence over three years will be disqualified for life from owning a gun or other weapon and ammunition. Anyone with a lesser conviction will be banned for 5 years.

The certificate holder must show that the weapons are kept in a secure, locked cupboard or storage area and they will need to apply every 5 years for a new certificate, giving two good character references.

They also need to produce a statement by their GP to confirm that they are fit to own a gun. A Firearms Enquiry Officer must also inspect the premises where the gun or weapon is kept. Once all these conditions can be satisfied, a licence will be granted.

Practical steps to take after theft

What to do after a theft

If you have been the unfortunate victim of a crime where something has been stolen, it can be quite a distressing, anxious and stressful time. Therefore, it is quite understandable that it could be more difficult than normal to try and remember everything you need to do.

Being the victim of any sort of theft is a very traumatic experience and can be very upsetting for quite a while after the event. Try to stay calm because there are people who can help if this does happen to you.

Car Theft

If your car is stolen, call the police. This is not considered to be an emergency (unless you were attacked or injured as it was being stolen) so you should telephone or go straight to your local police station to report it. Make sure you get a crime reference number from the police. This will be needed by your insurance company.

Call your insurance company. They will open up a claim for you and they will explain to you what will happen next. Make sure you have the vehicle details to hand as well as a list of any items that were in the car when it was stolen.

If you have a lease on the car, then you should notify the company that leased the vehicle to you.

Stolen Wallet, Purse or Handbag

Call your bank immediately and report your cards as being stolen. Make sure you know what telephone number to call, so write it down and keep it in a safe place. Also keep a list of the numbers to call to report any lost credit cards, loyalty cards, library cards etc that were in the wallet or purse.

Report the theft to your local police station by either telephoning or visiting the station. Give as much details as possible of the colour, shape etc of wallet, purse or bag description of thief, where it happened etc.

Burglary

If you find you have been burgled, do not touch anything. Report the incident to the police straight away. If you have insurance, telephone the insurance provider for advice. Make a list of what has been stolen and provide photos of valuable items.

Pet Missing or Stolen

Phone the local vets first because your pet may have been involved in an accident. Ask neighbours if they have seen the animal. Make posters, using a clear, recent photo of your pet and place them in areas which will be seen by as many people as possible. Leaflet neighbours houses as well as homes in nearby streets. Use an online pet search website, they can often reach the whole country. Telephone your pet insurance provider. They might be able to help with offering a reward and providing publicity to assist in getting your pet back.

Mobile Phone Theft

Remember the three steps: Register, Report, Reunite.

Register: you can register the details of your handset with The National Mobile Property Register. This will help the police to return your phone to you if it is stolen. You should also make sure your phone is registered with your network provider, especially Pay As You Go phones.

Report: report it immediately to the police. You should also contact your mobile phone network provider. They can block both the handset and the SIM card so that they cannot be used any more.

Reunite: If the police do recover your stolen handset, it’s a lot easier for them to reunite you with your phone if it is registered. They can match up the serial number to your name and address and get it back to you quickly.

Stop the ‘bump key’ thief

The danger of Bump Keys

The terminology might be an entirely new one to you, but it is certainly worth taking a few moments to learn what a ‘bump key’ is and the danger it poses to security when in the hands of an unscrupulous thief. A bump key will give a burglar or thief the capability to break into your home or property very easily, quietly and swiftly.

Whether a standard Yale lock or even uPVC type is accessed, the ‘bumping’ method can be equally successful. A thief can tap a bump key into the lock, easily gaining unlocked access in seconds. The process of ‘lock bumping’ is a method employed to open a tumbler ‘pin type’ lock by use of a specifically created ‘bump key’. A single key will successfully operate all similar locks within the same type.

Easy for thieves to break in

Using the key doesn’t require any other specialist tools and it can be a fruitful technique without any particular training, unlike the acquired skills of the lock picker. As they can be easily made from any widespread available key, the bump key risks are very real to many different properties that exist in the UK.

Bump keys are available via the internet for those who are seeking to engage in illegal activities and will be successful in opening the majority of locks. It is also quite a simple process to make these in a ‘DIY’ style or source directly from a locksmith or other key trader.

Within the United Kingdom the majority of locks available for purchase in DIY and hardware retailers can easily be unlocked using just a tiny collection of bump keys. When the thief gains entry to property using such a key, it leaves practically no residual proof that the method has been carried out, leaving unsuspecting property owners baffled concerning a possible theft. Many victims then believe their property has been accidentally left unsecured instead. In these cases insurance companies are unlikely to pay out on voided policies as the assumption that owners were responsible for a break in and subsequent theft will potentially be made.

Confidential information

Within the locksmith trade, professionals have known for many years about the use of the bump key. Now, because of modern technological ‘viral’ methods on the internet, this easy to practice method is now becoming known to many millions of individuals. Online web sites are in existence that openly sell the bump key equipment to any visiting buyer and they can also be sourced via electronically based auction type services.

Once obtained, the key apparatus can easily be cloned using traditionally available key cutting services from a whole host of sources across the country. Whereas those eager to empower themselves with safety information will use the knowledge to safeguard their property further, for the prospective thief it is an invaluable, yet simple method, of stealing valuable possessions from homes and business premises, within any part of the world.

Defend property from bump key thieves

It is possible to address the problem of bump keys and defend your property effectively from the thief. Locks that are bump key proofed are now in existence to purchase and fit to homes or commercial properties, higher security designed locks can stop thieves in their tracks. Even though extra secured locks that cannot be opened by use of a ‘bump’ are often more expensive than a standard, at-risk lock, the investment is a smaller price to pay for such countermeasures.

Higher security locks can prevent burglars from illegally acquiring property and items of worth and we recommend Locks Online to purchase your lock equipment needs. Saunderson Security also have an excellent choice of locks to buy online, to safeguard your property.

Thieves leave a costly price in their wake for property owners. With the estimated cost of most common burglaries being around £1500 at least, it is worth securing property effectively. So, keep one step ahead of bump key thieves, have bump proofed locks fitted as soon as possible.

Beat the thief using insurance!

Insurance cover to help manage theft

With so many things that can go wrong and seemingly so many thieves about, it’s good to know that there is an insurance policy for just about anything. Here is a very brief overview of the main types of insurance available that cover you against theft and criminal activity.

Home Contents Insurance

Pros: You are covered for burglary and theft as well as fire and flood damage. You get peace of mind that your possessions can be replaced if the worst should happen. Discounts are available if you fit additional security measures such as a burglar alarm.

Cons: You have to ensure that your property is always secure whenever you leave it. If you leave a window unlocked by mistake, for example, you will not be covered if you are burgled. You may have to pay quite a high excess to keep your premium lower.

Personal Injury Insurance

Pros: You can get insurance for just about any part of your body. You get peace of mind that you can claim compensation if you are injured and cannot work, etc. A specific organisation exists that deals with injuries caused by criminal activity (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, or CICA) so if the assailant is unknown or has no means of paying compensation, you will not lose out.

Cons: You may need to enlist a solicitor to deal with a personal injury claim as the process can be quite complicated and take a long time. The CICA may not take into account hurt feelings or mental trauma arising from the crime so you may not get a sum of money that seems adequate, so making a private claim via a solicitor may be a better option.

Identity Theft Insurance

Pros: You can be secure in the knowledge that if your identity is stolen, you will get all your stolen money back. The policy will cover any legal fees and loss of earnings you incur from defending yourself against anything that was caused by the fraudster in your name when your identity was stolen.

Cons: Premiums can work out to be expensive especially when you consider that banks will pay your money back anyway as long as you have not been negligent. Most cases of identity fraud can be very easily avoided by just doing basic checks on your accounts and paperwork, keeping passwords secret, deleting ‘phishing’ emails, being vigilant each day as well as shredding any documents with personal details on them.

Car Insurance

Pros: Peace of mind that you will get a sum of money if your car is stolen. You can get discounts if you keep your car in a garage overnight and/or have additional security features fitted to the vehicle.

Cons: You need to pay a higher excess in order to get a cheaper premium. Living in certain higher crime areas also pushes costs of premiums up and make this type of insurance very expensive. You have to make sure that you did not do anything negligent that contributed to the car being stolen, e.g. doors unlocked by mistake. The insurance company will only pay ‘market value’ for your car if it is stolen and this may not be as much as you paid for it in the first place.

Bicycle Insurance

Pros: Various types of cover available to suit basic needs to professional cyclists. Bikes can generally be replaced like for like if they are under three years old. You can also get legal cover and personal liability cover built-in, in case something happens when you are on the road.

Cons: need to ensure you have approved cycle locks and use them every time you leave your bike in public. You may get less money back than you paid out for an older bike. Generally bikes over £4000 value need specialist insurance cover.

Motor Cycle Insurance

Pros: Peace of mind that you have cover if something should happen to your bike. Discounts available for approved cycle courses and additional security fitted to the bike and if it is kept inside at night.

Cons: Cover varies according to type of bike and you may not get all the value back that you initially paid for it. Living in a ‘higher risk’ area means premiums are higher and can be expensive.

Mobile Phone Insurance

Pros: If you are prone to losing things, then you will have peace of mind with this type of insurance. You are covered for costs if a thief uses your phone. If you have a contract phone, it can be especially beneficial.

Cons: Can be very expensive, you could end up paying more in insurance premiums over a year or two than the phone would cost to be replaced. Insurance does not take into account any no-claims bonuses or lower risks so everyone pays the same whether they lose their phone frequently or not. You might not be covered if you left your phone unattended in a public place and it got stolen.

Pet Theft Insurance

Pros: Pet theft cover is included in many standard pet insurance policies. You would be able to claim for cost of advertising your stolen pet as missing. If it is found, you would be able to claim for the costs involved in offering a reward and getting the animal home. The value of the pet can be claimed in the sad event that it is not found.

Cons: not all pet insurance providers cover for theft, so check the policy. Costs are often limited to a maximum of £1000 which might not cover all the costs you incur trying to find your pet. You may have to wait quite a long time before you qualify for a pay-out on the policy.

Remember, this is just a very basic summary of insurance related to various types of theft only. Insurance policies cover many more risks and offer many more benefits so check the policy very carefully. Make sure you are satisfied with what it offers you before you agree to purchase it.

Help your community with Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch Schemes

If you’re keen to get involved in the local community and assist the police in your area to help keep surroundings a safer place, then joining a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme enables you to keep a positive look out for criminals and crime in the vicinity.

What are they exactly?

Local residents, who consist of volunteers, form local based Neighbourhood Watch groups and they are actively involved in monitoring local areas for crime indicators and any other relevant illegal activities. Members of local watches inform the police and also divulge any information learnt amongst each other. The local volunteering teams always uphold some simple guidelines and rules which are instigated via the organisation on a national basis, and always directly partner with the police in local areas.

The operations of a Neighbourhood Watch group

Those members who freely give their time to helping local communities also enjoy the benefit of meeting and befriending their local neighbours whilst keeping a watchful gaze on the neighbourhood at large. As well as observing traffic in the street area, including where, or how this is parked, teams will also be aware of who is on holiday in the area or perhaps having current property maintenance and improvements. This kind of important information enables watches to successfully highlight any potentially illegal or criminal activity in the surrounding area and when a certain situation looks unusual in a certain way.

Those who proactively keep an eye out, acting as an extension to local police forces can give invaluable help and assistance to the local constabulary.

How do I join a Neighbourhood Watch group and make a difference?

To be a crime reducing part of your community you can join a local group in the immediate area. Establish these details by asking your local police or neighbourhood policing section who will give you necessary information in order to make initial contact with a local group.

Where no group exists, you might decide it is time to create one to help your local area fight crime. In this case the Neighbourhood Watch web site is an invaluable resource, assisting in all aspects of group creation and providing further resources such as logos, toolkits and publicity materials.

For other ways that you can help reduce criminal activity in your community, ask neighbourhood policing teams based in the local area to find out what is occurring in your part of the country. Local police contacts can give details of the next neighbourhood police meeting scheduled and how to get in touch with them with a view to attending.

Protect yourself from the car jacker

Car-Jacking

Car-Jacking is a term that describes particularly violent car-crime. It is not a specific offence because the UK is already deemed to have enough scope to cover the crime of forcibly taking a car using existing laws. It is more a term that has been used by the media to describe the deplorable offence of threatening a driver and getting their car off them by force, often completely randomly and with extreme violence. There are no exact figures or statistics to indicate how wide-spread the crime is, but it does appear that it is on the increase. Popular video games such as Grand Theft Auto may have glamorised and almost celebrated this particularly nasty crime even though it is a very serious offence. One possible reason why it seems to be on the increase is that car manufacturers now fit cars with numerous anti-theft devices, e.g. immobilisers, alarms, steering locks, key codes and this makes it far more difficult for a thief to take the car when it is parked somewhere. So they are now resorting to car-jacking drivers. There is little wonder why it is appealing to more and more criminals because it enables them to immediately get an undamaged vehicle, with the correct keys and any other valuables that might also be in there.

Motoring organisations are calling for the law to be changed so that the serious nature of this crime is recognised in law because existing laws don’t really take the use of violence involved into account at present. They want tougher sentences to be given out for the specific crime of car-jacking. This would also enable accurate statistics to be held on the incidence of this awful crime.

Car crime is a significant worry for one in ten drivers so it is worth taking time to consider how you can reduce the risk of it ever happening to you.

How do I reduce my risk?

There are several things you can do to avoid becoming a victim of car-jacking:

1. Always be aware when you are driving. When you are in town, keep an eye on what the pedestrians are doing, where they are, whether there are groups hanging about etc.

2. Keep your car doors locked when you are driving. Keep your boot locked too. Keep windows closed when you are in slow-moving traffic, especially in urban areas or in known higher crime areas.

3. Be very cautious if someone ‘’accidentally’’ bumps into your car. It is now quite common for the criminal to bump into your car so that you stop the vehicle and get out to inspect the damage. That is when they take your car. If you do have this happen to you, do not get out of your car, especially if it is in an isolated area or a place where few people are about. Instead, indicate to the driver who bumped you that you will drive on and tell them to follow you. Stop somewhere well-lit, near other people, preferably near or at a police station and then get out of the car to exchange details.

4. If you do have to get out of your car, for whatever reason, always remove the ignition key and take your personal possessions with you e.g. wallet, handbag, mobile phone.

5. Another situation to be very wary of is coming across someone who has ‘broken-down’, especially on quiet roads. Do not stop to help them if they flag you down, especially if you are travelling alone. Instead, call the police for them. If they are genuine, then this is a practical way of helping them.

6. Park in well-lit areas and avoid deserted parking places. Check to see if the area is covered by CCTV surveillance for additional peace of mind.

7. Be particularly aware when stopping at traffic lights in areas that are known to have a higher crime rate. Keep all doors and the boot locked and windows shut. Try to give yourself enough space to be able to manoeuvre out of the way if anyone does approach your car (leave space between you and the car in front).

8. Remember, a car is insured so if you do find yourself in the unthinkable situation of being car-jacked, just get out and let the thief take the car. You cannot be replaced; the car can.