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Keep up Leif :-)
Relieved for you Liam.
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Having read the story - and seen the result, I too am pleased. But, as was suggested, I think I'd get one of those steering locks ... Stoplock PRO (not the standard, basic one). £44 on Amazon or one on Ebay at £14.85 plus a fiver P&P (currently no bids on it). I have two of the old "Longarm" locks and keep one in each car ... not to mention I have a couple of Diskloks in the garage for when I know I'm going to a dodgy area - but they've become pricey , at around a hundred pounds, and they are a bit unwieldy... it's not a problem fitting it but it's a big, heavy thing to have in the car and if you put it in the boot then you can't always be bothered to go and get it (yes, ridiculous, I know).
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Relieved here also - I've become quite fond of this 'character' car (and of the obvious character of its owner).
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, I remember as a young dibble getting radio messages about cars just reported stolen - and going to look for them. We found quite a few and nicked a few thieves. But those were also the days when at the beginning of the shift we were briefed about stolen cars, wanted people, etc. Duly noted down and action taken. Different times now, of course.
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Duly noted down and action taken. Different times now, of course.
I imagine you, and lots of us here, and quite a few real present day coppers who joined up to nick bad guys, would like to turn the clock back to those days when you wore the blue serge.
As KB mentions, regarding that StopLock Pro, i put a dab of oil on the lock mechanism and it's a delight to use, fitted and released in seconds.
Edited by gordonbennet on 23/07/2018 at 12:44
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"I imagine you, and lots of us here, and quite a few real present day coppers who joined up to nick bad guys, would like to turn the clock back to those days when you wore the blue serge."
One of the sad things I find when talking to still-serving former colleagues is just how much motivation has gone.
For example: driving a marked police car (not necessarily a 'traffic' car, could be a 'panda' - you were on show, highest driving standards expected (and trained for). Entitled to and expected to pull over drivers for bad driving (advice or prosecution).
Example: RTAs investigated and drivers prosecuted for due care/reckless driving (nowadays sorted by insurance companies on 'knock for knock').
Things have changed, and not for the better. In the small rural town where I live people show me countless dash-cam videos of careless/reckless/dangerous driving incidents. Years ago (not that long) the Old Bill would have been catching and prosecuting.
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One of the sad things I find when talking to still-serving former colleagues is just how much motivation has gone.
Widening the topic somewhat, I think part of it is a slowly shrinking sense of community, with a parallel growth of individual entitlement. One symptom is a reduction in volunteering, of many kinds.
I have been a member of an orienteering club for approaching 50 years. It's a minority sport which (like many others) depends on volunteers for staging events. These days most participants are over 50, with a small proportion of younger people who (if they stay around) will not be enough to keep it going. I am also in a choral society which is in a similar position, many well past pension age, with a few younger ones. I also volunteer at a heritage steam railway - same story again: the railway is a tourist attraction provided to amuse families, very few of whom consider getting involved.
When asked, the working generation mostly say they don't have time to spare. When I was in their position (growing our sport) we made the time available. Doesn't seem to happen now, more's the pity.
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There are many more sports and leisure activities available now. It's up to us involved with activities we love and enjoy to make them attractive and relevant to subsequent generations. Taking steam as an example, this will be something that appeals to a generation who remember and have fond memories of steam trains, younger generations won't have that connection.
Anyway have strayed well off topic so glad the 106 has been found.
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One of the sad things I find when talking to still-serving former colleagues is just how much motivation has gone.
Widening the topic somewhat, I think part of it is a slowly shrinking sense of community, with a parallel growth of individual entitlement. One symptom is a reduction in volunteering, of many kinds.
Our sense of community has changed. I made new friends through a fungi recording group via online discussions. We in effect did work unpaid for Kew Gardens. Similarly I find out about ice skating and ice hockey using online resources. Our coach goes out of his way to organise and help, and many of us also help out. For many of us our communities have expanded massively and I think this is especially true for the younger generation.
I live near a steam railway station, and it seems pretty popular to me. However, it might be that the key members of the trust are older. Then again, isn't that true with a lot of 'less glossy' activities, that they attract retired people?
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Cheers Joe,
we are getting quite the reputation ,locally :)
tonight, someone saluted us as we drove past !
We may end up the town's mascott
All the best
Liam
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Sincere thanks to all.
I obviuolsy wasn't quite right in the head that day !....hey , I hear that :)
Maybe sunstroke, dehydration, tooth abcess?
dunno ... hopefully something and nothing !
Cheers all and many thanks
Liam
and Dora the Explorer 106
ps with the stoplock pro, what's to stop a thief sawing through the steering wheel and cutting it out?
Edited by liammcl on 24/07/2018 at 00:02
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ps with the stoplock pro, what's to stop a thief sawing through the steering wheel and cutting it out?
Nothing in theory, other than with the design of the lock you can hook the hoops around one of the spokes, so the thief will have to cut two sections of outer wheel leaving him with nothing to steer, and if you happen to see him faffing about he might fail to catch that hammer you passed swiftly to him to help bend the cut wheel :-)
Before he's done that he should if he has any sense have tried to start it, and that where your hidden switch comes in, so he has to faff about hot wiring, plus the steering lock, more time exposed..
You cannot make a car thief proof, because if they really want it the usual untouchables will just HIAB it away, it's all about your car being more trouble than the others to nick.
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<< You cannot make a car thief proof, because if they really want it the usual untouchables will just HIAB it away, it's all about your car being more trouble than the others to nick. >>
Plus there's the old theory that something someone has spent money to protect must be worth nicking to start with. It may be better to leave it in plain sight rather than draw attention to it?
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Thank you both,
I may do the switch,
or I amy just leave it, in the hope no-one would steal a bright green 106. :)
Cheers
Liam
ps I'll empty the boot of anything too
Edited by liammcl on 24/07/2018 at 18:03
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I may do the switch, or I may just leave it, in the hope no-one would steal a bright green 106. :)
Liam, my daily car is a 2008 Pug 207. It might fetch £1500 on a good day, but while I lock it in a public car park, I never bother on my own drive.
The other car is a 1990 Pug 205 hatch. Same applies to that. I've never put a Krooklok on any car I've owned and I've not lost one yet .... Depends where one lives I suppose. I don't think anyone would be tempted by a bright green 106 either (even when it was new) :-))
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Andrew-T ,
I think you'll find that's the green eyed monster talking , dissing my pug 106 :)
I'm sure there is some sort of cheap smart phone and an app,
you could get to leave in the car,
so you could get the gps location for tracking
record any conversations
and use as a web cam for evidence etc
All the best
Liam
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Andrew-T ,
I think you'll find that's the green eyed monster talking , dissing my pug 106 :)
Liam, I'm just a bit puzzled about your reg [ it's 97, not 87 by the way :-) ] but on an L-plate it should be 93 or 94 ? Is that a cherished plate ? :)
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