Police activity

[My login is Henrietta]

Maybe they had found someone asleep in their car    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/philipjohnston/7983665/Since-when-was-it-a-crime-to-sleep-in-a-car.html

<<Since-when-was-it-a-crime-to-sleep-in-a-car.>> As long as there have been vagrancy laws and cars.

It is technically an offence under the Vagrancy Act 1824 to sleep in your car. (Yes, I know cars weren't invented in 1824.) The Act originally applied to persons sleeping in the street but it is still in force and covers any means of sleeping in the street, including in cars. However, it is unlikely you would be "done" if it was a one-off, you weren't a threat or causing an obstruction and you didn't mouth off at the policeman who questioned you.

I've often stopped for a nap on long journeys at night and occasionally a passing police car has stopped to investigate but gone about his business when I've explained. I suspect they would rather leave you to sleep in a lay-by than scrape you up off the road later when you've fallen asleep at the wheel.
 

[Victor M]

Unfortunately bit more serious than that. There was an armed robbery at Blockbuster last night and tonight there has been one at the Bookmakers next to Wilson's. Luckily there has been no one injured.

[Dave]

Maybe they had found someone asleep in their car    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/philipjohnston/7983665/Since-when-was-it-a-crime-to-sleep-in-a-car.html

[orangewhip]

Does anyone know the reason behind the heavy police presence in Marple yesterday evening?  There were three poilce cars outside Brabyns Preparatory School, and a further three parked in the Co-op car park.  I've tried my usual oracles but their keen gossip network is clearly faltering at the moment.  It was certainly intriguing, I do hope it was nothing too serious.