Because knowing he'd have to stand there with a stolen mattress, in full view of reception, might embarrass a would-be thief into thinking twice.

The prospect of wading through raw sewage deters many a would-be thief, say the engineers who spend all day down in the muck.

The shopkeeper reached for a box under the counter and threw a handful of chilli powder in the would-be thief's face.

Would-be thieves have since tried to nick the cycle, which sports a distinctive basket, from outside his house and at a restaurant.

Would-be thieves did not wander round with helmets on the off chance of finding a motorcycle to steal; they were insufficiently organised or motivated to do it.