The light fingered brigade are leading the charge in nicking the nations scrap metal which is disappearing at a rate of knots and now it’s the turn of aviation fuel. Our airfield has recently been attacked twice with aircraft tanks being siphoned dry. On each occasion, at least three aircraft were involved.
Both Mogas and Avgas was taken and from high and low wing a/c. Make sure you scrupulously check your tanks before flying. With the price of petrol at its present level there is every inducement to separate you from your hydrocarbons.
The Police were informed and they appeared at a rate of pace that surprised and delighted all – one week later. Various remedies were bandied about: PIR lights, cameras, nightwatchman, savage dog etc. My personal favourite was automatic machine guns firing on fixed lines but, one or two thought that this was excessive and upon trial and conviction the perpetrator might receive a sentence of wearing a tag and community service.
We discussed fitting lockable fuel caps. The consensus was that this might create more grief in the shape of bent and twisted fuel caps. Can anyone think of any protective methods for preventing these scum bags and parasites from plundering ?
John Green
By: John Green - 16th March 2012 at 20:14
Ref 67 and 68
Tony T, that’s not a bad idea. Personally, I would be more than willing to begin a civil action. I have some experience of civil Courts and generally know my way around the Civil Procedure Rules that govern actions in these Courts.
What I need, like the Police, is reasonable evidence. For acceptance by the Criminal Courts, the Police need cast iron evidence. For the Civil Courts, the burden of proof is not so demanding. At the most basic level, I need a ‘name’. The name or names of the suspect. Will be Police provide? I do not think so. They will be fearful of repercussions under the Human Rights Act.
If you pitch up at a Civil Court with a reasonable amount of evidence and more importantly as many witnesses as you can persuade to attend, you will win your case – more times than not. Therin lies the other problem. Getting other airfield users who have sustained losses to attend. As soon as you mention Court, they melt and disappear like snowflakes on a Spring day.
Robert Whitton
Yes, you are correct. It is down to the CPS. But, for example, they will only prosecute a person suspected of commiting burglary if they see you walking out of the burgled premises carrying a bag labelled ‘Swag’. I jest to make a point which is not that far from the truth.
The other more important problem – and I make no apologies for returning to this subject – is the politicisation of the Judiciary. The judiciary are, almost to a man or woman, entirely left wing in their interpretation and administration of the law. It is going on as we discuss these matters. Reform or abandonment of the Human Rights Act in favour of a British Bill of Rights is attracting very entrenched opposition from not only Ken Clarke but also the lawyers brought in to examine the Govt proposals. These people appear not to be concerned with the balance of the rights and responsibilities of the people but, more with perpetuating left wing dogma enshrining only their rights.
These matters go to the heart of the problems affecting not only Old Sarum but also the near and occasional actual anarchy which from time to time affects this nation. Nothing will change until we institutionalise responsibilities as well as rights.
John Green
By: Robert Whitton - 16th March 2012 at 13:14
Its hardly the police’s fault if they arrest someone and the CPS says no to prosecution!
By: TonyT - 14th March 2012 at 23:57
Can you not do a civil prosecution and get the taxpayer to fund it…… A lot of media coverage about police etc failing to take criminal to task may help, they do not like to be seen as incompetent, what this country needs is a test case where the police are sued in a European court for failing to do their public duty and to protect the innocent.
By: atr42 - 14th March 2012 at 22:47
Might be worth an email to your MP asking him to bring it to the attention of Nick Herbert who is the minister in charging of policing issues.
Nick is my local MP and I have to say he is good at giving a personal response to questions. He doesn’t normally duck issues.
By: TonyT - 14th March 2012 at 20:55
What we need then is to bring back Stocks… A week in there should do.
By: paul178 - 13th March 2012 at 11:52
I can’t take issue with any of what you have said there John.
By: John Green - 13th March 2012 at 11:15
Perhaps – and it is a big ‘perhaps’ – the only way that any of us who feel strongly enough about persistent criminality, is to protest thru a street level campaign of civil disobedience.
Tens of thousands of ‘boots’ on the streets. Are there enough of us who have been affected by crime or criminal actions to take action? Yes, according to Home Office statistics. Will enough of them get off their backsides, overcome their inertia and appear on the streets ? No. Why not?
Two principal reasons: The criminals unbelieveably, have their very vocal defenders: Social deprivation; poor housing; absent fathers; absent mothers; drugs; neglect in any guise; every excuse under the Sun.
Then there is the anarchic philosophy of the political hard left: The criminals are not responsible for their actions. They were born untainted but, have become tainted by their experience of a society – that’s me and you – riddled with the corruption and selfishness of capitalism.
That, is roughly how it works. Note. No suggestion of personal responsibility or adherence to the long established and worthy values of for example: the Ten Commandments as an instance of a tried and tested value system.
The nett result of all this so far as we at Old Sarum are concerned is that the scumbags get off scot free and therefore receive a massive injection of confidence that they can continue their criminal activities unhindered. The victim continues to shoulder the expense of the losses but, that’s our fault for being associated with a ‘rich man’s sport’ making us fair game for a bit of continuous plunder.
I keep telling my son and his wife and two small daughters to get the hell out of this twisted, lying, disceitful and thoroughly immoral country and at least go somewhere where the taint of life is less noxious.
John Green
By: paul178 - 12th March 2012 at 20:55
Wants his legs breaking, he won’t carry much off on a pair of crutches… Not very PC though… But I bet he wouldn’t do it again in a rush.
So I was right its being dropped but breaking his legs will just involve us all in extra expence
1 Payout from the criminal injuries compensation fund
2 Never work again due to injury=pile of dosh each week
3 Adapted housing so scroate can get about
4 New car every 3 years on motability scheme
I could go on but you get the idea!
Crime does pay(unfortunately)
By: TonyT - 12th March 2012 at 19:22
Wants his legs breaking, he won’t carry much off on a pair of crutches… Not very PC though… But I bet he wouldn’t do it again in a rush.
By: John Green - 12th March 2012 at 12:01
Much as some contributors forecasted, especially Lincoln 7, we’ve heard that the CPS has declined to prosecute in the case of the solitary villain caught trashing Scarum airfield.
We’re further told that there was never any prospect of the scum being ‘done’ for stealing fuel. Most of this info has come thru the ‘grapevine’ none, from official sources.
We haven’t even heard that universal sop to public outrage: ” We’re working hard to put in places measures to ensure that such n’ such can never again happen” Blah, Blah etc.
John Green
By: pistonrob - 29th February 2012 at 22:10
my workshop is linked via a mobile phone + motion sensor to tell me is anyone has got into my shed, its set up to ring the person i personaly know who`s nearest that has agreed to have their phone on. never had it used in anger yet and never hope it happens.
By: paul178 - 29th February 2012 at 21:40
Bit of a result – so far ! Just had a call from a Wilts. PC in charge of the investigation into the fuel thefts from Scarum. Someone is under arrest and, I believe, awaiting charge.
John Green
Translated means bailed to appear at a future date if the Criminal Protection Service don’t drop it or he,she or it does not just get a Police Caution!
I hope a positive outcome is reached in this matter. I bloody hate thieves!!!
By: John Green - 29th February 2012 at 21:07
It looks as though some of you were right. The problem hasn’t gone away. I was at Scarum to-day. As I drove onto the airfield, I saw a ‘scenes of crime’ police van parked. It transpired that round the back and therefore out of sight, windows had been smashed to gain entry to the parachute school office which forms part of the main building. I don’t know the scale of the theft or what was stolen.
As far as I know, no fuel has been nicked. This of course, won’t be known until the pilot or owner turns up to fly the a/c. Then if they do not check……….? It might be the case, that some pilots or owners might be unaware of what’s been going on.
What was that about fiddling while Rome burns ?
John Green
By: atr42 - 18th February 2012 at 18:20
Glad to hear some good news at last. I wonder if as well as theft they can make out a charge of endangering the safety of an aircraft? Bit vague considering the checks I’m sure you make before flight but maybe worth asking the question.
By: BeeJay - 17th February 2012 at 17:20
Hi John, Your news is better than I expected. I will keep an eye for updates on the outcome?
Regards
Beejay.
By: Lincoln 7 - 13th February 2012 at 23:52
Tomy T/ Yes one would certainly hope there may have been only one..but you guys who had it stolen won’t need me to tell you to still dip your tanks, prior to T/O.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: TonyT - 13th February 2012 at 22:12
Cool, the fact one has been nailed will hopefully scare the rest into realising the easy touch has gone, if there is indeed more than one of them.
By: Lincoln 7 - 13th February 2012 at 21:34
JG. Hi John, great news, but try and not get too complacent, slime like this rarely go by themselves on a mission in my experience. Lets hope under interview, he grasses some other/s up.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: John Green - 13th February 2012 at 21:11
Bit of a result – so far ! Just had a call from a Wilts. PC in charge of the investigation into the fuel thefts from Scarum. Someone is under arrest and, I believe, awaiting charge.
My comments regarding public safety has resulted in an increased Police presence around the airfield. Since I reported the last one, there have not been any more thefts. That’s probably made me a ‘hostage to fortune’ !
Again, thank you to all who have offered commiserations and support.
John Green
By: TonyT - 9th February 2012 at 20:51
I bet the reason the police are about more is the article makes them look like a bunch of….. Hope it has seen them off, older cars that haven’t got a cat and were designed to run on leaded petrol would be ok on the stuff. I ran my MR2 on a track day on it, it was like putting 5 star in it and you noticed the difference in power….. Oh and before you ask, no the fuel wasn’t stolen.
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November 29, 2011 at 7:42 pm