Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

The power of citizen’s arrest was all the talk yesterday.   And I think we all agree that poor old dairy owners and small retailers who watch ratbags nicking their stuff need the ability to be able to detain the thieves.   But the announcement comes without many details.   Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says the changes will expand a person’s ability to detain someone committing a crime to any time of the day and over any stolen goods.   Under current legislation, a citizen’s arrest couldn’t be made outside the hours of 9pm-6am unless the goods being stolen were worth at least $1000. You can make a citizen’s arrest, but you need to know your law.   You need to know whether the crime committed is going to attract a custodial sentence of more than three years and you need to know the legal definition of reasonable.   When appearing on Ryan Bridge's show last night the Minister stammered and stressed that it’s only a proposal and he seemed vague on the rules of engagement. Which is