james said:
Whilst I semi-agree with you that that would be a morally acceptable response this would put you into a different crime league - whilst the police might not be concerned with investigating slashed tyres they will try a lot harder with crimes relating to violence against a person (however much they deserved it)
But don't get me wrong, if you think you can get away with it then go for it - if broken bones and/or stitches were a common hazard of anti-social behaviour then I believe there would be less of it.
But I think we are straying off topic and onto something better covered in 'crime and punishment'.
I would say that if you caught someone smoking a joint in Swildons and decided to make a citizens arrest two things would happen. First it is unlikely the person concerned will come quietly - why should they it's open farmland, anything can happen!!
But if you pulled it off - and sat in stony (no pun intended) silence by the roadside waiting for the police to send a car out into the boonies you would get no thanks from the police, and the evidence train just isn't strong enough for a prosecution - it will be your word against theirs. Even if they had drugs on them cannabis is only a class C, and therefore a misdemeanour (in small quantities) rather than a criminal offence.
I am not sure that the self-righteous glow of satisfaction one might feel having made the citizen's arrest would make up for the hassle, inconvenience and possible future repercussions.
Personally I have no problem with people partying anywhere; booze, drugs, it's all personal choice and individual rights. Obviously if someone incapacitates themself in the process I am not going to be too sympathetic!
But making a mess - that is unacceptable. And smoking underground is a bit of a no-no too, this as also been discussed elsewhere.