🚀 go-pugleaf

McGyver <Greyprof@msn.com> wrote in message
news:as01tb$mjoug$1@ID-75195.news.dfncis.de...
> "crofters" <crofterscan@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:aruh7j$q24$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > filling up today, i saw a small notice on the pump warning about having
> > means to pay before drawing fuel etc, and that they are instructed by
> local
> > (sussex) police to take your photo and thumbprint, should you not pay
> within an
> > agreed period.  wouldn't this be against some human rights, or privacy
> laws? thought only
> > the police had authority to take prints, and only then when arrested,
not
> > before.  also, who holds the information, and for how long? someone
could
> easily
> > forget a wallet, and get a police record!
>
> The practice is not a violation of any civil rights or privacy laws.
> Remember, you have no obligation to give your fingerprint to the owner.
If
> you can't pay for the gasoline, the merchant has the right to call the
> police and have you arrested.  You are offered the alternative of signing
a
> promise to pay and leaving a fingerprint.  It's your choice.  You cannot
be
> forced to leave your fingerprint or even your signature with the merchant.
>
> Nobody needs any "authority" to take fingerprints.
>
> I don't know anything about that law or procedure except what you posted,
so
> I can't say how the print would be kept.  I don't see any reason for
> concern.  We leave our fingerprints all over town, on counter tops, on
> merchandise, on checks and credit card slips, gasoline pump handles, etc.
> The police don't collect the prints if the customer pays, I'm sure.  And
how
> long a merchant hangs on to old, useless records depends on the merchant's
> packrat personality, I suppose.
>
> The whole procedure probably stems from police budget limitations.  They
> probably lobbied for the law and/or procedure so they wouldn't get the
> calls.  Next they'll be trying it for burglary.  (That was a joke)
>
> McGyver

Mcgyver,

As long as there was no deliberate intention not to pay then all the person
who filled up has to do is leave the registration number of the car and
his/her adddress and name, adding a thumbprint is just another level of
security for the petrol station, but the driver doesn't have to agree to it.
If the police are called there will be no power to arrest the person because
they have given their details and stated an intention to come back and pay.