Letter: Arrest warranted

Bruce D Skivington (Letters, 3 August) is concerned that the Metropolitan Police and not the Northern Constabulary should have power to arrest an alleged computer hacker resident in Shetland.

I can only assume that the scene of the crime is what determines who has power of arrest, and in this case the alleged crime was committed in London, where its effects were felt.

This would be more apparent if the hacker had sent a parcel bomb by post. I recall being involved in a case more than 50 years ago, when a resident of Ireland committed a crime in Scotland. The case was due to be called in Inverness Sheriff Court, but the individual had moved to South Wales.

When his new address had been established, two officers from Northern Constabulary travelled to South Wales, arrested him and brought him back to Inverness for trial.

Some years ago, a couple wanted by police in England for a serious crime went on the run to Lochinver, thinking that nobody would look for them in such a remote place. Needless to say, they stood out like a sore thumb, and within a couple of days they had been detained by Northern Constabulary, but they were arrested by English police and returned to England to stand trial.

I don't think Mr Skivington should trouble justice secretary Kenny MacAskill with this matter, as he has plenty on his plate already.

Donald Jack

Summerside Place

Edinburgh