It's when you see those families of chavs on the news complaining they can't find a job and then in the background of their living room is a 50" Plasma and SkyHD, along with an Xbox.
Really? 
Drinks Page 72
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ July 21 2012, 12:08 PM BSTOne of the biggest problems with burglary is the readiness of people to buy stolen goods. The black market for televisions, laptops, phones, etc. is massive.
Absolutely. I managed to pick up a laptop the other day with 'Bill' written on it - dirt cheap.
Does anyone else smell locusts?
Quote: Lee @ July 21 2012, 12:12 PM BSTIt's when you see those families of chavs on the news complaining they can't find a job and then in the background of their living room is a 50" Plasma and SkyHD, along with an Xbox.
Really?
Usually provided by a rental company ine xchange for a substantial slice of their benefits forever.
Well at least they're investing their benefits into the essentials.
Quote: Loopey @ July 21 2012, 9:03 AM BSTNot belittling Billwill's situation, or that of anyone affected by crime (that includes me) but in defence of the Police, in a lot of areas they don't have the manpower or time to deal with everything and have to prioritise, often putting themselves in danger which needn't have happened if there were enough officers.
Sometimes they have to unexpectedly do back to back shifts when there are not enough staff and they also have to do more admin now that many back office staff have been axed. There are good and bad cops, as in any job, but this must have an effect on their ability to do theirs.
I wasn't intending to belittle the police:
"The police have closed the case of the stolen Billwill computer&bag for lack of anything they can usefully do"
is simply the situation. We don't know when the bag was stolen over a broad span of hours, the pub's CCTV cannot see under the big umbrellas where we were. None of us saw it being stolen, so there is nothing much to go on, without disproportionate effort. The stuff may turn up later as a result of other investigations, but I don't hold out much hope.
I'm kicking myself for not having taken elementary precautions such as clipping the shoulder strap around a chair arm, which I normally do.
Ah, I was wondering why the CCTV was no use.
Quote: billwill @ July 21 2012, 3:38 PM BSTI wasn't intending to belittle the police:
Belittle away. They pretty mucgh deserve it.
Chip the Anarchist.
Quote: chipolata @ July 23 2012, 1:30 PM BSTBelittle away. They pretty mucgh deserve it.
That's pretty unfair.
Recently they came to our office handing out a leaflet asking for someone to come forward after someone saw a woman nearly getting their bag snatched.
A girl in our office contacted the police and because of that, they were able to catch the guy who did manage to snatch a bag from someone else a couple of minutes later.
Good! Although I have to confess, when in local Wetherspoons' for the 'cider festival', I nicked an apple and pear from their display...Oh dear 
Quote: L.E. @ July 23 2012, 2:18 PM BSTThat's pretty unfair.
Recently they came to our office handing out a leaflet asking for someone to come forward after someone saw a woman nearly getting their bag snatched.
A girl in our office contacted the police and because of that, they were able to catch the guy who did manage to snatch a bag from someone else a couple of minutes later.
Now I know who grassed me up!
Quote: billwill @ July 21 2012, 3:38 PM BSTI wasn't intending to belittle the police:
"The police have closed the case of the stolen Billwill computer&bag for lack of anything they can usefully do"
is simply the situation. We don't know when the bag was stolen over a broad span of hours, the pub's CCTV cannot see under the big umbrellas where we were. None of us saw it being stolen, so there is nothing much to go on, without disproportionate effort. The stuff may turn up later as a result of other investigations, but I don't hold out much hope.I'm kicking myself for not having taken elementary precautions such as clipping the shoulder strap around a chair arm, which I normally do.
Sorry Bill, I didn't intend it to look as if I meant you were belittling the Police and I empathise entirely. I was just jumping in with my bit as they generally get a bad name and it was an opportunity to say something in their favour 'cos I have seen the effects of all these cutbacks and lack of support first hand so I feel strongly about it. 
Anyway, when is the next drinks meet-up? There should be one soon! (say, this Saturday)
BCG drinks in Edinburgh this weekend!
Next London one is Sat 22nd Sept picnic/drinks Regents Park
Oh ok, thanks for the reminder.