Burglary victim threatened with arrest for polite notice to would-be thieves

Two break-ins in the space of 10 days were the final straw for a business owner repeatedly targeted by burglars. Graham Jagger, who runs his own plastering and electrical contracting business, has now put up a sign on his home in Earlsheaton, Dewsbury, West Yorks, with a few choice words for any would-be thieves.
But the warning sign, which read: “Polite Notice: There is nothing of value left on our premises… It’s already been taken… By Thieving Fucking Bastards,” landed him on the wrong side of the law after police received a complaint about the language it used. Mr Jagger said: “They were out in less than 10 minutes to [warn] me, but when I phone and a proper crime has been committed, it’s days. I think it’s disgusting, I really do.”

Police told 50-year-old Mr Jagger, who has suffered 10 burglaries or attempted burglaries since he moved to his home four years ago, that he would be arrested if he did not remove the sign. But Mr Jagger said the sign was there to stay until the perpetrators were found. “I said I would make it more appropriate by removing some letters, but it’s staying where it is,” he said.

A police spokeswoman said it was a public order offense to display language if it caused harassment, alarm or distress. She said: “The householder was given sufficient time to remove the offensive language and warned that if it was not removed they would be liable for a fixed penalty notice. No further complaint has been received.” There have so far been no arrests made over the burglaries.