Cumbria police asking people to tattle on legal firearms owners.

[12gsnapcaps]

New campaign launched around legally held firearms in Cumbria

A new campaign has been launched to improve safety around legally held firearms.

www.newsandstar.co.uk

@Conor O'Gorman does BASC have a response to this?

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Thanks, we are aware and considering this.

 

[Rob-E]

Well it’s not Cumbria Police it’s Crime Stoppers which is an independent organisation that’s running the initiative, not the Police.

Of course Cumbria police arnt going to say they don’t want people with legitimate concerns not to come forward because otherwise they’re liable if something does happen. I think rewording this thread would be wise otherwise it’s another sensationalist thread designed to provoke a response.

 

[Apthorpe]

Well it’s not Cumbria Police it’s Crime Stoppers which is an independent organisation that’s running the initiative, not the Police.

I think it may be the case that Crimestoppers are running the initiative having been commissioned to do so by Cumbria Police /PCC. That appears to be the usual set-up.

Of course Cumbria police arnt going to say they don’t want people with legitimate concerns not to come forward because otherwise they’re liable if something does happen. I think rewording this thread would be wise otherwise it’s another sensationalist thread designed to provoke a response.

Since this campaign is not merely soliciting reports of crimes, but also non-crimes, the OP may have legitimate concerns about scheme which places certificate holders at risk of being victims of crime themselves.

 

[NullMac]

And if you look at some instances we would all be better off if somebody had. Skye killings were a case in point. The guy was known to have a violent temper and he threatened to kill his victim previously.

If someone, pointing no fingers but there are a couple of candidates (some victims), had dobbed him in then people would be alive today.

So you need to be careful about uncritically leaping to the defence of all gun owners. It may be perceived as an attack but on the other hand it’s one channel for people (possibly at risk) to raise awareness without putting themselves in the firing line, perhaps literally.

 

[webley701]

Thanks, we are aware and considering this.

I hope BASC are very seriously considering this.

 

[enfieldspares]

A suitable response might be

"Responsibly bringing the attention of the relevant authorities to any possible crime or misdemeanor being committed by those in possession legally or illegally of any object that might cause harm is always a right course of action. As was done well before the terrible events at Hungerford, Dunblane and Plymouth. And to all three of which the police forces responsible then failed to act".

 

[Apthorpe]

And if you look at some instances we would all be better off if somebody had. Skye killings were a case in point. The guy was known to have a violent temper and he threatened to kill his victim previously.

If someone, pointing no fingers but there are a couple of candidates (some victims), had dobbed him in then people would be alive today.

So you need to be careful about uncritically leaping to the defence of all gun owners. It may be perceived as an attack but on the other hand it’s one channel for people (possibly at risk) to raise awareness without putting themselves in the firing line, perhaps literally.

Indeed, but the police already exist for this purpose. The difference in this situation is that it guarantees that people can make malicious or vexatious allegations, which could constitute criminal offences, and be completely protected from investigation.

This initiative adds nothing to help people with legitimate concerns, since there is already a clear avenue open for their reports, but provides a charter for malign reports.

 

[Dickie]

What it should say as a footnote is if you make a report that on investigation proves to be malicious or unfounded you will be charged with wasting police time.

 

[Apthorpe]

What it should say as a footnote is if you make a report that on investigation proves to be malicious or unfounded you will be charged with wasting police time.

How? It's guaranteed unconditionally anonymous

 

[Dickie]

How? It's guaranteed unconditionally anonymous

Because nothing I read said that so I wasn’t aware.

 

[Apthorpe]

Because nothing I read said that so I wasn’t aware.

It's Crimestoppers (apparently branching into non-Crime stoppers) and if you read about it there, it says so.

 

[Dickie]

It's Crimestoppers (apparently branching into non-Crime stoppers) and if you read about it there, it says so.

I was going by the article in the OP so no idea about crimstoppers.

 

[Andrewslater]

How long I wonder before anti’s are rounding up firearms owners info and making reports against them. This is a particular concern having a not too distant massive data breach of people associated with firearms.

 

[Julian S]

Yes the antis will make full use of this and we will be the ones that suffer again,while muslim extremists jump on top of police vans they have just set fire to waving the qoran (yes in our country)

 

[Liveonce]

@Conor O'Gorman can we launch one in cumbria on bad driving so they get reported to the cumbrian Police.

Is not what they are doing discrimination against a minority group? Is that not illegal under the equality act?

 

[Mike L]

Hopefully ALL the other shooting organisations will be on this also.

Maybe some of their members here could update us with their progress?

 

[Chris Richardson]

Hopefully ALL the other shooting organisations will be on this also.

Maybe some of their members here could update us with their progress?

If you’re not a member of said orgs nothing to do with you see how it works both ways

 

[Mike L]

Must be a bass, sooo quick on the bait

 

[Freeforester]

A proportion of firearms holders are serving officers within the police force themselves; they too will be aware of the potential for misuse of such information.

Crimestoppers may find themselves with matters which they may be required to assist police with enquiries into.

Might as well have the kitchen knives all on a database while they’re at it.