Is it against the law to even be carrying a lockpick kit in the UK?
Its a hobby for me and has helped me and my friends on many occasions but is it illegal to carry it?
I have no intention of breaking in anywhere, its just fun to problem solve and helps if I get locked out.
I would be carrying it because its a set thats like a swiss army knife that goes on my keyring.
2007-08-18 10:55:42 · 11 answers · asked by futuretopgun101 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Locksmith tools are legal if you're a registered locksmith.
If you're NOT a registered locksmith, they become burglary tools. The police would surely take you in for questioning, and might lodge charges.
2007-08-18 10:58:59 · answer #1 · answered by Stuart 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would agree with Bear.
A person going equipped for burglary, theft or cheat commits an offence. A lockpick would be seen as an item easily used for those reasons and it would be down to the circumstances surrounding the situation as to what would happen.
So, no, not illegal per se, however, if you're found in a garden or involved in a scuffle or any other reason for which you are going to be searched, it is likely to be down to you in the first instance to prove you're not using it for criminal deeds.
Past convictions or lack off will help/hinder
If you're never searched mind, no questions to answer.
2007-08-18 16:02:15 · answer #2 · answered by Bertie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This would be an offence of 'going equipped', the definition of which is (more or less word for word) 'Any person who has with him in a public place an article for use in the course of or in connection with any burglary, theft, criminal damage or cheat (fraud), without lawful authority or reasonable cause, the proof of which lies with him, commits an offence.
In other words, if you carry anything, which may be used to commit any of the above crimes, then you could be arrested. It’s down to you to give a reasonable excuse and I'm assuming you have no lawful authority (Police Officer, locksmith who's actually at work etc) so you could find yourself in trouble. Helping you mates out when they've locked themselves out of their house probably wouldn't be seen as a good excuse.
Hope this helps.
2007-08-19 02:14:39 · answer #3 · answered by Ian UK 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't know about the UK, but in the US it is illegal to be in possession of lock pick sets.
2016-05-22 05:34:52 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not specifically illegal to carry it, however I could lock you up on suspicion of going equipped for burglary, theft or cheat.
I guess that would all depend on the circumstances at the time.
2007-08-18 11:32:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Unless you are a registered lock smith I am afraid that it would be illegal for you to carry them
2007-08-20 05:00:26 · answer #6 · answered by rick_wenham 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are not a locksmith then it has been decided by stated case that possession of this item is deemed to be going equipped to steal. Thee are only two items I know of where if it is not a tool of your trade then you can be arrested for having it for going eqipped to steal .
2007-08-18 20:36:37 · answer #7 · answered by frankturk50 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my experience police don't even know what lock picks are.
In Colorado, USA the statute on "burglary tools" is so vague that a knife, a credit card, or a hammer would easily qualify.
2007-08-18 11:03:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you get locked out, that means you lost your key which would go on your key ring along with your Swiss Army knife, and lock picks.
Didn't think about that did you?.
Lock picks are illegal.
2007-08-18 13:18:32 · answer #9 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
yes, it is classed as going equipped for stealing
2007-08-18 21:03:38 · answer #10 · answered by vdv_desantnik 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋