2007-02-28 08:26:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Hi... they're not illegal, and it's not illegal to scan the frequencies, but it is illegal to act on the information received from them. As the above answer states though, the Police now use the Airwave system which is digitally encrypted, so it's pointless buying one to listen to the Police. Fire and Ambulance will also follow if they haven't already - the system is still being rolled out.
2007-02-28 08:38:09 · answer #1 · answered by ragill_s1849 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, the act of inadvertently listening is OK providing you do not do anything about or give information about any received message. For example if you are robbing a bank and happen to be listening to the police radio and hear that they are coming around to the bank and you bxxxxr off then you have committed an offence. So have you if you happen to overhear a policeman calling for assistance and you know that his signal cannot be received by base due to a poor signal and you go to his assistance. Remember the law HAS to work both ways.
The digital signal can easily be received on a scanner that has this facility, and in fact several radio amateur radios coming on the market also have TX facility.
2007-02-28 10:28:38 · answer #2 · answered by rinfrance 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you want to listen to Police radio transmissions in Britain - you cant, its impossible. They went digitally encrypted over the past couple of years using a system known as TETRA Airwave, and a scanner cant pick it up, or if it can, all you hear is rubbish. Technically, if you could do it, (are you in the KGB /CIA?), you would commit an offence if you acted on any information you heard. All emergency services will eventually use this system, so if you get a scanner, enjoy it while you can !
2007-02-28 09:16:36 · answer #3 · answered by skipper409 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scanners are not illegal anywhere in the UK. The crime is "acting on information received". If you listen in at home you're OK. BUT... If you're tempted to have a look at an accident or crime scene and you're caught, you could be prosecuted. I used to do this but the authorities got suspicious when I turned up at so many incidents. Fortunately I got off with a caution. Now I'm an armchair eavesdropper.
2007-02-28 08:36:26 · answer #4 · answered by Michael B 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
its not illegal to have one, but its illegal to listen to the police. but the police in the UK have gone digital now, their radios are encrypted, so a scanner will not work. they are still good for listening to fire service and aeroplanes etc........
2007-02-28 08:32:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
aren't they illegal in the UK altogether? if not, i'm going to get one tommorow
2007-02-28 08:29:28 · answer #6 · answered by Marv 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋