police visit during the night

[tigbrand]

I agree Hicky that its interesting that this has come up again,and it will continue to do so.Most collectors think if they keep quiet it wont effect them,Wrong! As you say FFE certs are a waste of time,especially in regard to postal items. 1st class post is dodgy,as items can be flown. Send items 2nd or standard parcels,do include a note inside,do strip things down,also writing do not fly on items saves a lot of bother. What i do now is arrange to meet people at fairs to collect items or get other collectors/bocn members to do it for you. Had a cracking swap with Ogreve last year,items came from europe,to Harry G,who passed them on to Steve Mcgregor at an Ecra meet,he them gave them to a friend at Beltring and back to Dorset! Took time,but no post and no risk.Btw Ken now youve had a visit and they were ok you should be fine,my local police were fine,its just Eod who tend not to give it back(no offence meant but true). If getting a visit worries people then perhaps stamp collecting is a safer bet! Tig

[smle2009]

"Just hope wifey is not too miffed as on ferry home for weekend - could be sleeping with my collection!! (would doing that be ethically or morally wrong??)"

Iv'e done that a few times before now....and the collection doesn't snore either!!!!(nor does the dog come to think of it!!!!!)

Was going to ask if you were talking about your ordnance collection or porno mag collection!?

[pointblank0]

I have always put a FFE bit of A4 inside and written 'INERT' all over the internal packaging of all the stuff I have sent but have often wondered why. Maybe just to put the EOD officer at ease a little.
I haven't had a problem yet, a few times when I was expecting a visit, like the time I was transfering my mortar collection from my garage to my house and a Police car drove past giving me VERY funny looks, and also the time where I thought it wise to transfer my Bren from my garage to my second floor flat, and got caught by my new nervous neighbour.
These things happen and I know that if I do get arrested (quite likely nowadays), I won't get charged, as I have nothing to hide and my collection is lawfull 100%. I am glad that the Police are doing their job well, as it does keep wrong-uns on their toes.
While a few people were concerned about this 'Police register', this is merely an intelligence system, searchable and inputable (maybe not a real word) by respective forces.
I am a serving copper and am fully aware of all the systems in place. If ANYTHING comes to light regarding ammo, guns, bombs, kitchen knives, deep water, sharp corners on kitchen drawers etc, an intelligence report is input on the local system by the local station/borough/constabulary, filed under address, name, vehicle registration or all of them. The information is looked at and actioned as appropriate.
Before the Police visit your address, this system is checked on all the above. If one comes back as something similar in the past, then a visit by local bobby would probably be appropriate. But No, you will not come up flashing yellow and marked as a collector (or you could be a nasty terrorist, get caught with something legitimate, then do what you want for years).

Don't worry about it. We are all legitimate and sensible collectors here and would like to keep it that way. In order for this to happen, some of us may end up getting checked out a little closer. We have nothing to hide so may as well just hand out as much info and detail about this wonderful hobby to those coppers who don't have the knowledge. They may also get the bug and join the fun.

[smle2009]

"sharp corners on kitchen drawers etc"

[hicky1300]

Pleased to inform you all that items appeared on Friday all safe & sound.
Didn`t need to sleep with my collection (ornance SMLE!!) but wifey has come up with a sensible compromise - I do not buy anything whilst away from home that will be sent by post. I think I may have aloo got an escape chit to attend Ciney Fair. So all`s well that ends well.
I agree moving stuff personnaly is best but not always practical with regards to time & cost. Unfortunately (as has been pointed out) many members can only buy & sell online & this usually means involving thepost.
From now on I will only send items by Standard Parcel or 2nd class if unable to meet up with buyer/seller. I agree with the courier option for larger/heavier items.
Also overseas trades are still a problem - like many others-I think I will have to stop selling abroad.

[smle2009]

(ornance SMLE!!)......think you left the P out of this H, seriously glad it all worked out well for you in the end mate.


Cheers
Tony

[ken68]

Yeah my parcels got to there destination after the scanning carry on , Thanks to the police on this one they were great and passed a message to the sorting office i was a collector and all is FFEM , i think you's are right, 2nd class and SD parcel are the best options for posting i was real unlucky my SD parcel was scanned ?. anything over 5 kilos and your looking at courier as i posted some kit out and buyer agreed to send it this way ...
As collectors i think we play an important and responsable role in keeping Live and illegal stuff away from auctions and sites etc ,
Anyway i will keep buying posting and selling untill the goverment says otherwise and always make sure i am on the right side of the LAW !!!!!!!

Cheers Ken