SAS Urban Survival Handbook (88 page)

The court must prove you had a ‘common purpose’ with the carriers of the weapons.

Can I carry articles with points or blades?

You may be liable to a fine or imprisonment. You may only carry a folding pocket knife with a blade no longer than

75 mm (3 in).

What can I use in my house to defend myself?

If you keep a brick for hitting burglars with, you may be in trouble. If you grab a walking stick and use it as a defensive weapon, you should be within the law—as long as you don’t overdo it. The brick was obviously intended to cause harm.

Firearms

Firearms represent more of a risk than a serious form of protection. Having such weapons in your home may pose a severe threat to

children—or to all the members of a household if the weapons are misused by an intruder.

Attitudes to firearms vary enormously around the world. In the US, for instance, the ‘right to bear arms’ is part of The Constitution. Even though there is legislation, there are an enormous number of cases where weapons are misused. The legal requirements in Britain, however, probably give the safest guidelines for owning and storing weapons.

• ◑ No one may own a firearm unless he or she is a member of a shooting or hunting club.
  
• ◑ No application for a weapon licence will be considered unless the applicant has been a member of such a club for a set period of time.
  
• ◑ A licence is valid for only three years. Regular inspections are made to ensure that the owner is adhering to ALL the rules governing the possession, use and storage of a firearm.
  
• ◑ The owner will be expected to keep the actual weapon in a purpose-built, steel, lockable cabinet which is bolted to a floor or wall. A safe may not be good enough.
  
• ◑ Ammunition must also be stored under such conditions—but in another location from the weapon.
  
• ◑ This storage must meet the approval of the police—who will check that regulations are not breached.
  
• ◑ If carrying the weapon through the streets, it must be in a locked security case—it must not be loaded. Ammunition may not be carried in the same case.
  
• ◑ In a car it is not sufficient to lock a weapon in the glove compartment or boot (trunk). A lockable steel security box, fixed to the vehicle, must be provided.
  

REMEMBER

The above regulations cover firearms only. Powerful crossbows are not covered by such rules, but if they were carried through the streets (to a sporting event, perhaps) you would be liable to prosecution for carrying an offensive weapon. Air weapons—guns or rifles—do not fall within firearms guidelines, but are covered by other rules. You should check with the police, since you may be arrested if, for instance, you fire an air weapon near a public place or highway.

THE POLICE

Aside from traffic incidents, most of us have very few dealings with the police. Occasionally we may need to give evidence, seek advice or report crimes. The police are HUMAN and, above all, trying to ensure that the laws of the country are upheld. Their job is stressful and sometimes leaves little scope for humour.

Problems do occur in heated situations, which may lead to arrest or detainment. You should consider a few points about dealing with the police.

• ◑ Stay calm and cool, quiet and respectful.
  
• ◑ Watch what you say—it really will be used ‘in evidence’.
  
• ◑ Don’t argue, don’t make jokes and don’t wave your hands about. All of these may go wildly ‘wrong’ and the situation may escalate.
  

Access/search

• ◑ If police officers come to your house, even if they are in plain clothes, they carry full identification—usually including a photograph. You have a right, in most cases, to take the identification and telephone the police station for verification. There ARE criminals who masquerade as police officers.
  
• ◑ Always note uniforms, insignia and officer number (usually found on the shoulder or epaulette, or on the ID card of plain-clothes officers).
  
• ◑ You can refuse to be searched, but the police have a right to search you (or your vehicle) if: they have a warrant; they suspect that you may be in possession of offensive weapons or items intended to help you commit theft/burglary; they believe that you may be in possession of illegal drugs/substances or stolen goods.
  
• ◑ The police may enter your home without a warrant (and use reasonable force to gain entry) if they have a warrant to arrest someone or, occasionally, to arrest without a warrant for a serious crime.
  
• ◑ If you are not under suspicion, it is up to you whether you let a police officer into your home. If you do, you may ask them to leave at any time.
  
• ◑ They may search your home if there is evidence that a serious offence has been committed or that you may be in possession of stolen goods. If you are arrested, they may search for items which may assist escape or which may provide evidence that you have committed an offence.
  
• ◑ They may take items away from you—for evidence or to prevent damage or injury.
  

TYPES OF PHYSICAL SEARCH

The simplest type of search is the ‘frisk’ or outer garment search. It is usually quick and simple. Don’t be clever or difficult. A strip search MUST be conducted at a police station. It must be performed by a member of the same sex (or by a qualified doctor or nurse).

An intimate body search, involving inspection of body orifices, must be authorized by a superintendent, and should be to search for ‘hard’ drugs or weapons/blades which might be used to cause injury. Intimate searches should be conducted under medical supervision.

Arrest

If you are caught up in a situation that involves the police treating you as a suspect, it is essential to know the basics of the laws which govern the process—and your rights. If you can speak/understand a certain amount of police language, you may be able to ask the right questions:

• ◑ A police officer may arrest you without warrant if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that an arrestable offence is being or has been committed.
  
• ◑ OR if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that you were about to commit an arrestable offence.
  
• ◑ OR if you were clearly about to commit an arrestable offence.
  
• ◑ A suspect MUST be informed that he/she is under arrest—and the grounds (reasons)—as soon as possible. Giving this information to you will be difficult if you are shouting or fighting, for instance.
  
• ◑ A police officer must take a suspect to a police station as soon as possible.
  
• ◑ A suspect has a right to inform someone (directly or indirectly) of the arrest.
  
• ◑ A suspect may consult a solicitor, but if the offence is serious, the police may delay this for 36 hours (the maximum length of time a suspect can be held without going to a magistrates’ court, unless suspected of terrorist activity). A solicitor should attend any court hearing.
  
• ◑ You don’t have to answer questions. If you feel you have been wrongly arrested—you have a right to say so. Whatever you say—even to protest innocence—will be noted.
  
• ◑ If the police decide to charge you, they must tell you so. You need not answer any further questions and can expect to be allowed to consult a solicitor.
  
• ◑ The suspect should be told if he or she is being charged, detained to provide further evidence or released.
  
• ◑ In most cases you have a right to one phone call. If this is to an anxious parent or a solicitor, there should be no problem. Evidence does suggest that it is not always easy to make the telephone call successfully.
  

REMEMBER

If you are NOT under arrest but only ‘helping with enquiries’ you do not have to stay with an arresting officer and you should have this explained to you. In most cases you will come to no harm if you comply. You may have a very real need to be somewhere else, but could arrange to visit the police station at a later time.