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Scuba Forum / UK Scuba / November 2004Diving Knife Query
In light of the increasing vigilance on the part of Mr Blunkett's anti-terrorist organisations, how would a diving knife be seen if we were in a stopped and searched? Could we easily convince the law that it was indeed a recreational tool, or would they insist that we were in possession of an offensive weapon and carrying it in public. Terrorism Act of 2000, S44 Stop and Search Powers <Snip> It can only be used to search for things that could be used for terrorism, BUT Police can search even if they don't have grounds to suspect that people have anything on them of this kind. They can search pedestrians and anything carried by them, cars, drivers passengers and anything they have with them. foj > In light of the increasing vigilance on the part of Mr Blunkett's > anti-terrorist organisations, how would a diving knife be seen if we were in > a stopped and searched? Could we easily convince the law that it was indeed > a recreational tool, or would they insist that we were in possession of an > offensive weapon and carrying it in public. I would say that if it is still wrapped up with a shop receipt, or carried with tanks, regs, masks etc, you will be fine. If you are wandering down the high street wearing a camo jacket with a shark cleaver strapped to your leg, you'll get nicked. Don't worry about 'offensive weapon', a diving knife is a bladed or pointed instrument under s139 Criminal Justice Act 1988, and the onus is on you to prove you had a good reason for having it. MP Having travelled all over post 9/11 with two such knives in my luggage, I've never been asked, as it has been in place with the rest of the gear (and not in my hand luggage, obviously!) > Could we easily convince the law that > it was indeed a recreational tool, or would they insist that we were > in possession of an offensive weapon and carrying it in public. Mine are either in a bag with lots of dive gear or, if I have it strapped to my person, I am wearing a rubber suit and fins. Both would be acceptable proof that it is dive gear. If somebody strapped it to their jeans and walked down the high street I would be quite happy to see them have to explain that to a magistrate. nigelH > In light of the increasing vigilance on the part of Mr Blunkett's > anti-terrorist organisations, how would a diving knife be seen if we were [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > a recreational tool, or would they insist that we were in possession of an > offensive weapon and carrying it in public. It's just a question of context. Common sense will be applied. >> In light of the increasing vigilance on the part of Mr Blunkett's >> anti-terrorist organisations, how would a diving knife be seen if we were [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > It's just a question of context. Common sense will be applied. You don't read many court reports, do you ? jd  SignatureJohn Daragon argv[0] limited john@<antispam>argv.co.uk Lambs Lawn Cottage, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton TA3 5SL, UK (house) 01460 234576 (office) 01460 234068 (mobile) 07836 576127 (fax) 01460 234069 > >> In light of the increasing vigilance on the part of Mr Blunkett's > >> anti-terrorist organisations, how would a diving knife be seen if we were [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > You don't read many court reports, do you ? No, I don't read any court reports. This post was because of a conversation at the dive club the other evening. We were considering the remarks made by the Queen regarding the increase in powers for the anti-terrorist organisations and that a member of the public had been detained, under the act, because during a routine stop and search exercise in London a Swiss Army Knife was found in his glove compartment. This apparently was reported in the Spectator. I simply wondered what the broader view was amongst divers would be. You said common sense would be applied. In the above case it was, but not for almost 8 hours. Jim posted > > >> In light of the increasing vigilance on the part of Mr Blunkett's > > >> anti-terrorist organisations, how would a diving knife be seen if we > were stopped and searched? {snipped} > during a routine stop and search exercise in London a Swiss > Army Knife was found in his glove compartment. This apparently was reported > in the Spectator. I read the Spectator story (or at least as it was posted on newsgroups), and it didn't sound entirely pukka to me. Funnily enough it was just the sort of story that would have appeared in New Statesman (quite) a few years ago. Just enough to get the reader angry, but somehow not quite right.... Hywel A large locknife and a cosh - oh and a lot of attitude to the arresting officer..... >In light of the increasing vigilance on the part of Mr Blunkett's >anti-terrorist organisations, how would a diving knife be seen if we were in >a stopped and searched? Could we easily convince the law that it was indeed >a recreational tool, or would they insist that we were in possession of an >offensive weapon and carrying it in public. Carry a line cutter and/or sea snips (trauma shears) instead. Gordon > Carry a line cutter and/or sea snips (trauma shears) instead. > > Gordon I do and even a small knife with a blunt end. but the question was......... and I agree with others if wearing a big shark hunting knife in public when not dress as a diver would need to be explained. if its in a dive bag with the rest of your gear you are doing nothing wrong. David |
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