Sure. Next time I see a 24 stone footballer running amok in a local watering hole, I'll start reading him his rights. "You have the right to remain ..... *thump*". Here endeth the citizen's arrest experiment.

There are times when you think it would be a good idea, but then you wonder how you could do it. Getting someone to a police station could be trickier than getting a kangaroo to come with you.

Sounds like fun to me. I'm sick of giving the evil eye to cigarette smokers that just chuck their butts wherever they want. It's leaving me unfulfilled. If I was able to arrest them I could practice my Tae-Kwon-Do to prevent them from escaping. Maybe some Karate to prevent them from resisting arrest. Chuck in some kick-boxing to prevent their colleagues trying to aid them. I could be called Buttman and make a reality TV show about it.... Thanks JC, great idea, I'm off to buy a video camera.

Jeff - I think the 'arrest' part is fine (ie. detaining of liberty so they can't get away) - but what can you do with them then? I don't think a citizen can then "charge" them with anything - you have to hold them until a police officer shows up (somehow) and then the police decide whether to charge. It all sounds very good - but I bet there are plenty of people who have later regretted making a citizen's arrest for either lack of follow up and counter charges of assault by the offender!

As with most legal mumbo jumbo, once you 'arrested' the (P PLATER) you would then have to prove he was driving dangerously for police to then charge him - which could only I guess be done by independent witnesses or video. Or you could just grab their keys and throw them into the bush. Option 2 sounds better.

There is some irony in Mr Bethune’s attempt to make a citizen’s arrest given he had to break international maritime law to do so. One trusts that the master of the Japanese whaling vessel reciprocated by in turn arresting Mr Bethune for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and illegally boarding a vessel in international waters. Unlike Mr Bethune’ dubious charges I suspect the latter would actually hold up in a court of law. I thought the “citizen’s arrest” provisions were something of an anachronism, but that appears not to be so. While the thought of arresting Buell for allowing her off leash dog to crap in Glenrock State Conservation Area under the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Regulations 2002 makes my pulse quicken, it is tempered by the prospect that a botched citizen’s arrest may result in the miscreant getting off on a technicality, and I certainly wouldn’t want to risk that. However, for those of you who feel less constrained, there will no doubt be boundless opportunities to test the provision of the act at the next “Rising Turd” protest -“ The People's Blockade of the World's Biggest Coal Port” on the 28 March 2010

If I ever make a citizen's arrest, I will ensure I do so in the fashion of the tough New York cop style eg. throw them through a window "You have the right to remain silent" *smash*, then throw through another window, "You have the right to an attorney" *smash* ... etc, yes, completely unnecessary and irrelevant (as we do not have such rights), but merely for dramatic effect.

Hey Jeff my wife has put me under house arrest a few times which hinders my progress to the bowling club.

I'm sure most of us have wanted to make a citizens arrest at some time. I am too much of a girly la la, and that's what i thought the police were for. I have no hesitation in ringing them if I see or am witnessing something horrible happening. Everyday I see smokers chucking butts into the gutter or out car windows, and then is when I'm most outraged, because it's not exactly a police call worthy event. So perhaps I could give them a yellow card warning? Although I think I'm far too much of a scaredy cat to do that.

The power for a civilian to arrest is also there under Section 352 (NSW) Crimes Act but a very judicious use would be advised as very few know of the ingredients needed to sustain the charge that have to be complied with. (He who alleges must prove beyond a reasonable doubt.) If done incorrectly, the arrester could find themsef/s being sued (and probably losing) for unlawful arrest. Nothing quite like an enraged solicitor who thinks some novice getting onto their patch. Still easiest method, ring Police, go through upteen switches then grow old waiting for them to attend. Far cheaper anyway.