NationStates Jolt Archive


Harry Potter and The Burglar of New Zealand

Londim
07-08-2008, 23:55
A wanted poster featuring Robbie Coltrane is being used by police in New Zealand to try to catch a teenage burglar who resembles the actor.

Detectives stressed the Cracker and Harry Potter star is not suspected of any crimes, but said the thief looks like a 16-year-old version of him.

The poster has been distributed to homes in the Christchurch area of the South Island.

New Zealand law bans the publication of pictures of juvenile criminals.

Below the heading 'Wanted' is the picture of Coltrane, underneath which are the words 'Active burglar in this neighbourhood'.

Bicycle burglar

The text below explains that the photo is of Coltrane and continues: "Robbie Coltrane is not the burglar but imagine him aged 16 with lank greasy hair and you have the picture.

"He is 16-years-old, lives locally, travels by bicycle and burgles houses in your street.

"He will break windows to gain entry and ransack the property targeting electronic items, cash and jewellery."

It explains the reason for the use of the Scottish star, who the New Zealand police describe as English.

"Because of the Children and Young Persons Act 1989 Police cannot show you a picture of the 16-year-old burglar operating in your neighbourhood," it states.

Residents reportedly welcomed the leaflets and praised the ingenuity of the police. Coltrane was unavailable for comment.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7548472.stm

Ingenius, silly or stupid? NSG decides!
That Imperial Navy
07-08-2008, 23:58
Oh that is freaking hillarious.
Johnny B Goode
07-08-2008, 23:59
BWAHAHAHA!


That is all.
Hachihyaku
08-08-2008, 00:02
This isn't news ... There is a hell of a lot of better things the BBC could be talking about.

But then again, its the BBC, skirts over the important stuff and gives you lots of a filler and propaganda.
Fartsniffage
08-08-2008, 00:02
I'm seeing images of Hagrid on a bike.
Ashmoria
08-08-2008, 00:03
thats brilliant! everyone knows what haggrid looks like.
Katganistan
08-08-2008, 00:03
Perhaps Mr. Coltrane, if he has a sense of humor and/or civic duty, would be kind enough to provide snaps of himself when he was 16 to further help NZ police? :D

I'm seeing images of Hagrid on a bike.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/Katganistan/250px-Hagrid-motor.jpg
Fartsniffage
08-08-2008, 00:12
Perhaps Mr. Coltrane, if he has a sense of humor and/or civic duty, would be kind enough to provide snaps of himself when he was 16 to further help NZ police? :D


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/Katganistan/250px-Hagrid-motor.jpg

"You're a wizard Harry.

Now I'm taking all of your shit"
That Imperial Navy
08-08-2008, 00:17
"You're a wizard Harry.

Now I'm taking all of your shit"

Expelliamus!
Katganistan
08-08-2008, 00:31
"You're a wizard Harry.

Now I'm taking all of your shit"

Heh -- wasn't much for him to take....
Fartsniffage
08-08-2008, 00:36
Heh -- wasn't much for him to take....

Yeah but the thinnest blanket would seem a lot in a hut in a storm....
Katganistan
08-08-2008, 00:44
Yeah but the thinnest blanket would seem a lot in a hut in a storm....
One could say that Harry actually ended up getting far more in the deal -- a home, friends, clothes, an owl, a wand, personal belongings, glasses sans tape... ;)

Yes, I am being altogether too serious....
Conserative Morality
08-08-2008, 00:45
Epiiiiiic Faiiiil!

Seriously, what's the reason for a law like that?
Xomic
08-08-2008, 01:15
Epiiiiiic Faiiiil!

Seriously, what's the reason for a law like that?

Cause the British Commonwealth IS AWESOME!!!1
Conserative Morality
08-08-2008, 01:20
Cause the British Commonwealth IS AWESOME!!!1

If by "Awesome" you mean "Random" I'll agree.
Xomic
08-08-2008, 01:26
If by "Awesome" you mean "Random" I'll agree.

Well Canada has a similar law as well, so I'm assuming it must be their must be similar laws within the other former British nations.

It is a dumbass law though.
The Parkus Empire
08-08-2008, 03:58
Amusing; incompetence usually is.