would you shop your bro/sis/son...etc ?

[tigga]

I watched Crimewatch last nite on the telly and it got me thinking, what would i do if i recognised an immediate family member or a partner on it. Now obviously it is a very broad question with lots of circumstances to be considered (Which is basically my answer). I would have to think about it a lot before i considered shopping them, how would you feel ? Would you also have to consider things or would it be Absolutely not / Most definitely ?

[lodekka]

I've done it already. Not a pleasant duty, but I found myself with little choice.

I have no intention of going into specifics.

[stoo_pid]

Depends on the situation but, like lodekka, I've done it. 

[Greedyfly]

Yep - shop em

[FP]

I think it would depend on the crime and othe circumstances.  For example, if  there was violence involved I think I would have to shop them.  If it was someone stealing from a shop whilst they thought noone was looking,  and being caught on camera, then I might have to think about it.  In the second case, I would probably have to talk to the person concerned myself first and try and get them to own up.  Difficult question there, back2tigga.

[justpassing]

Yes I would, and have done so but the person concerned was just 8 at the time....

 

I've always told my sons that, if they broke the law, I'd 'shop' them. One day I discovered the youngest had been shoplifting penny sweets with a friend, so I call the local police. Just as we were going out one afternoon a 6ft 6ins officer made a house call....The result?

1 very scared 8yr old and now a law abiding 18yr old who knows I'd do it again if necessary.

[saffstar]

Yes.  If it was serious enough to end up on Crimewatch then I definitely would.

[natalie_1982]

Depends on the circumstances as to whether I would or wouldn't but whichever I would try to encourage them into going along themselves.

[georgit79]

I couldn't ever answer the question until it happened to me...which, thankfully, it hasn't.

[smudge]

A very good question, but can be difficult to answer, therefore, I have to agree with natalie_1982.

[smudge]

Sorry & you too georgit.

[HighwayChile]

I was somewhat shocked by the answers to this question. What no-one seemed to mention was the severity of the crime, which surely makes a considerable difference. Would you shop a relative if you found out they were smoking pot, altering the mileage gauge on their vehicle or littering?

In the case of homicide, do you not consider the reason behind the act? For example, if you found out a female relative in your immediate family had struck out in self defence her abusive husband, surely you would see this differently to someone who presents a continuing danger to society, such as a rapist, a child murderer, etc? Yes, if I found out a relative had mugged and killed  a pensioner for her savings, of course I would have to do something. But if I found out a relative had acted, for instance, in self defence in a case of domestic violence, then I would protect them.

Would you shop them for any and all crimes? Is it so black and white?

[stoo_pid]

Er, actually HighwayChile from what I could see everyone pretty well said that it depended on the circumstances.  You're not going to see someone who struck out in self defence on Crimewatch.

I think what back2tigga was getting at is would we all treat our own relatives differently to people we don't know, even with serious crimes?

[tigga]

Thank you all for your answers.

Highway chile, your middle paragraph completely mirrors my thoughts on this. As most people said, it would take some consideration as i was talking about something serious enough to be on crimewatch, also all our feelings might change when push comes to shove.

Please dont get me wrong, i mean in a case such as Ian Huntley and his girlfriend, i have no idea what could be in a persons mind to stay quiet or even protect such an animal- no matter what the relationship.

Also can i just say, i do admire the ones who said they have had to do it in the past, i can imagine it to be a difficult situation.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

[georgit79]

HighwayChile: the question was about spotting loved ones on Crimewatch, as several people have already pointed out so sorry for labouring the point. When I read the question, I immediately imagined seeing my brother or partner on one of those CCTV captures, lifting jewelry from a shop. I didn't picture my sister being abused by her boyfriend and lashing out in self-defence. Of course in the latter case I would obviously protect said sister, but I still think the police would have to be informed of the circumstances. I wouldn't 'shop' her as such, but I would make damn sure the police were aware she acted in self-defence and was not at fault.

This is all theoretical of course! Just in case my little sis or one of my brothers stumbles upon this site...