Are citizens's arrests a real thing?

[St0pTryingT0MakeFetchHappen]

And have you ever made one? Does it ever result in anything other than a scuffle? (I have no intention of making one, I'm just curious).

@Grumpyunleashed happy with S24A PACE, just confused by the claim that it's a different burden of proof for civilians. It's not how I read it at all

Here it is again in plain English.

First, consider the basis for making an arrest. In essence, citizens only have cause to arrest any individual who... is suspected to be in the act of committing an offence at the present time... or is suspected to have committed an offence at an earlier time. (Inter alia)

The basic difference is that a police officer can arrest someone who they suspect is ABOUT TO commit an offence, whereas a member of the public can only arrest where an offence is happening at the time or has already happened.

So those of you who are/were police officers - do you think it would be easier to fall foul of the law making a citizens' arrest now compared to 20 years ago?

There isn't some bizarre "I'm making a citizens arrest" statement or reading of rights you have to give.
What is arresting someone? It's basically taking away someone's liberty.

Grabbing hold of someone that's just put a brick through a window is a "citizens arrest"

Look up section 3 criminal law act 1967 too, that's more relevant to the original question.

With regards to section 3 look at the wording.
As with most law it's very specific.

Note how it starts with "a person" not "a constable"

I often daydream about being the self-appointed arbiter of justice for many things. In reality, I'm just a very angry middle-aged woman with enough heft to pin someone down by sitting on them.

Queen same! Tbh I feel like a taskforce of grumpy peri-menopausal women could achieve a fair bit, particularly when it comes to tackling lower level anti-social behaviour. If they would only trust us with Tasers...

@JesusInTheCabbageVan yes! Tasers for us. An armed army of peri- and menopausal women taking out ne'er do wells. I'm bagsieing Head of Parking Infractions and I don't mind heading up Queueing until we get nominations.

I can't see many people wanting to make citizens arrests these days with the way police are so slow to respond, if at all. There've been a few cases of, eg, shop-keepers locking in a shoplifter or robber, only to have to let them go after a while when it became clear the police weren't coming.

@QueenofOversharing and @JesusinTheCabbageVan I like the way you roll ladies, count me in! 🤣 Plenty of heft here available for the good cause.

Bagsy Head of Basic Manners & Consideration for Others, which should cover a multitude of sins.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan
@Hopeisnotastrategy

Right - we're getting quite the army / constabulary going.

First order of business - perfecting "the look".

First order of business - perfecting "the look".

Are we letting people join who haven't perfected the look? I thought out standards would be a bit higher than that.

I'm taking on responsibility for car engine idlers, people who stop dead in shop doorways and people who squash every avocado in the shop before choosing one. Hope that's a very wide remit - be mindful of burn-out (of your Taser, I mean).

@JesusInTheCabbageVan no. Of course you're right. That's definitely in screening. Teachers might do well joining us - they have that look perfected. Also, most mums (not those weird permissive sort).

My first perps will be people parking taking up 2 (or 3) spaces. Quickly followed by left turning into my street without indicating. I already stop traffic doing this, but tasering will be so much more satisfying effective.

@QueenofOversharing and @JesusinTheCabbageVan

No problems with “the look” this end.

I’ve said for years that if only Vladimir Putin’s mother would give him a good talking to, the world would be a better place.

A female writer ancestor of mine said in 1939 that Europe will only have peace when it is governed exclusively by an army of middle aged women. It looks like we are getting it organised.

No peri/menopausal but I do have an (apparently) intimidating eyebrow lift...