Back in the early 60s, I had – as some members may recall – a yellow Morris Mini. I had parked it in Birmingham one chilly winter evening; when I came back for it, someone had tried to break in, apparently by placing a length of tubing over the driver’s door-handle and sharply pushing it down. Unfortunately for the thief – and for me – the shank broke inside the door, which meant I was unable to unlock the door and get in. I called the RAC; but before the patrol arrived a policeman appeared, apparently under the impression that I was drunk because I was shivering. I had just finished explaining when the RAC patrol arrived. He cheerfully produced a length of stiff wire, suitably bent, with which he opened the driver’s side window (sliding in 1963) and opened the door from the inside. The policeman had watched this proceeding with great interest, and pointed out to the patrolman that he was technically in possession of a device for stealing cars; the RAC man simply gave him a dirty look, said goodnight to me and got back into his van.