Shocking Security. Forums

torquayite

I am considering fitting an electric fencing energiser inside my van, having been burgled repeatedly.
The energiser converts 12 volts to 10000 volts but with almost zero current, and gives a horse or cow or human a big but supposedly harmless shock.
Wired to mats inside each door and to a cover on each seat, would anyone be able to get in to the van?
If they were warned by signs on each door, would they still chance it?
The chap who has already done it leaves his doors unlocked....why have your locks damaged?
He tested the system by betting a young man a tenner he could not drive his camper away even if he had the keys.
The pretend miscreant jumped in and out.....and refused to get in again.
My son thinks the downside is that if any ne-er-do-well got a shock, he may be infuriated and would damage the vehicle in retaliation.
Any comments would be appreciated.
An energiser costs about £55, seemingly a cheap way to prevent theft.
Obviously, an On/Off switch would be located externally so you could disarm the system.
Peter.

torquayite

Oh, I forgot.
Any lawyers out there?
Knowing how one must be nice to criminals, is this legal?
Peter.

tonyt

I like the theory of it and look forward to the lively debate this posting is likely to generate.

Grizzly

I think that what you plan is illegal Peter. It's setting a man-trap and, if you do kill anyone ( heart stops due to large current ?) or injure them then you are in big trouble.

Tempting though it sounds I think you'd be safer with more conventional alarms.

G

cobaltkoala

Whilst this to me seems a perfectly acceptable idea, after all only those who shouldn't be there would be effected, you must remember the eggshell skull principle of law.
If the criminal had an underlying condition that meant even the small shock, whether physical or indeed simply psychological, stimulated a reaction in the criminal that proved to injure or even kill them, you would be held responsible. In fact if you hit one of them with a peanut and they dies from an alergic reaction 'theoretically' it would still be deemed as your responsibility.

Perhaps if you added a bengal tiger to the cab therefore ensuring the evidence was eaten all may be well.

Geo

Yes I think if I were a burglar,
and suffered the shock treatment, I would utterly and totaly destroy your pride and joy, absolutely no doubt about it

torquayite

I have heard that a mantrap is illegal. However, I have investigated the use of these as electric fences and found that, if used alongside public access areas, notices placed at reasonable intervals absolve the farmer from blame if you decide to touch his fencing.
Also, a branch of a well known building materials company experienced frequent thefts at night, ringed their premises with a suitably "Noticed" electric fence, and have since not had one theft.
If I place a notice in three languages on each door warning that the interior is wired, that can not be a trap.
A challenge, perhaps, but certainly not a trap.
Peter.

peejay · Campsite DB Admin

Geo

Grizzly