I remember as a young student studying the novel Oliver Twist and reading the famous scene in which the public chase the muderer Bill Sykes. Last night in my local supermarket a criminal was spotted by the public but left unmolested. My boyfriend told me it is now illegal for members of the public to stop criminals. Is this true ?
2006-09-28 20:43:23 · 11 answers · asked by XiaoMei 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Ziggy -
This is the case in China. A country which has given up the fight against the criminals is doomed.
2006-09-28 20:52:43 · update #1
JeckJeck -
Dear sir , my boyfriend is English. Hue and cry certainly was part of the common law in England . I would like to know what action a bystander can do to stop a criminal from his actions. In China , I have seen them beaten and when the police have arrived they have commended the action.
2006-09-28 21:48:51 · update #2
Well it still exists and is called a citizens arrest. (see below)However the amountof force you are alowed to use has always been a grey area.
Also if the person is aquitted of a crime you can find yourself in court.
2006-09-28 20:54:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The never was an 'English custom of hue and cry'.
There's an English custom of not shooting anyone who appears, perhaps, maybe, seems to be committing a crime. Maybe you're getting the two confused.
Oliver Twist is a work of fiction.
Molesting anyone, even criminals, even in supermarkets, is against the law.
'stop criminals' has multiple meanings.
You're levelling a criticism at the English which is unfounded and transparent. Bigotry is an ugly thing to see.
2006-09-29 04:30:55 · answer #2 · answered by JeckJeck 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hugh went to Hollywood. This left Cry on his own. I'm not sure it's illegal for members of the public to stop criminals. It's obviously legal for the police to stop members of the public - with bullets.
I don't see how it can be true, since car owners are forced to name the person driving their car when it was caught in a speed trap. You can't have your cake and eat it.
2006-09-29 03:58:17 · answer #3 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because now days if you try to do right and get involved you will probably end up being charged and arrested yourself.
Such as stopping a group of teenagers kicking a fence down and then getting arrested for assault of the teenagers.
I caught some young teens in my back garden [up to no good] What can you do you cant restrain them or hold them until the police get there because that's assault or imprisonment etc.
2006-09-29 03:50:02 · answer #4 · answered by Todd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think it is illegal to stop a criminal, just unwise, these days you are likely to be knifed or stuck with a needle if you confront one.
The hue and cry of the modern world is a media one, such as the current hue and cry over dog attacks.
2006-09-29 03:48:38 · answer #5 · answered by neogriff 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No this isn't strictly true. Any member of public still has the power of (citizens) arrest for indictable offences.
I think it has more to do with the liklihood of being convicted for assault if you try to stop an alleged criminal with force.
Simply my opinion on the latter.
2006-09-29 03:47:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think people are just too frightened to get involved as much these days, a lot of the criminal fraternity carry knifes about themselves and the thought of been stabbed or even killed for doing a good dead doesn't appeal to a would be good citizen as much these days.
2006-09-29 06:49:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there is a loss of community spirit and a lack of faith in the authorities and the courts system. You should speak to the bloke who is being taken to court for not paying his council tax.
Even if you refuse to pay as it is a 5hitty service they will take it off you anyway and slap you with a conviction to boot. Crazy, crazy world.
2006-09-29 03:50:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am looking forward to hearing the replies on this one. If it is illegal then I had no idea.
Nowadays, though, you can get into trouble if you hurt the criminal whilst aprehending them. In Dickens time you would be applauded!
2006-09-29 03:49:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont think so, i stopped a rampaging drug addict once. but that was in a hospital before id had my operation.
oh and when i was working for Allsports i hunted down a shoplifter and dragged him back to the shop in an arm bar!! was great fun - but the manager let him off, we were too busy laughing that a 6ft plus dude had stolen a youths track suit for himself, damn scallywag
2006-09-29 03:47:44 · answer #10 · answered by Mr Gravy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋