go equipped

English

Etymology

From the heading of section 25 of the Theft Act 1968: "Going equipped for stealing, etc."

Verb

go equipped (third-person singular simple present goes equipped, present participle going equipped, simple past went equipped, past participle gone equipped)

1. (UK, law and law enforcement, intransitive) To carry tools, weapons or other articles with the intent of using them to commit a crime.
   • 1997, Claire Rayner, Fifth Member (George Barnabas; 4):

     Would I go equipped? You can get a stiff sentence for that! I've got a couple of skeleton keys, I don't deny, but I hope we won't need them. There are other ways.

   • 2006 June 1, “Base trespass suspects rearrested”, in BBC News‎^[1]:

     They were allegedly carrying cable cutters and a hammer when they were arrested and could face up to 10 years in prison if deemed to have "gone equipped" to commit an offence at the base.

   • 2011 November 9, “Thousands march in student fees protest”, in The Independent‎^[2]:

     A Scotland Yard spokesman said three arrests were for public order offences, one was for possession of an offensive weapon, three were for going equipped and 12 breaches of the peace.

   • 2017 February 8, Ian Proctor, “JAILED: Burglars who went equipped with tools, disguises and homemade swag bags”, in The Lancashire Telegraph‎^[3]:

     All had admitted conspiracy to burgle and Talbot also admitted going equipped to burgle and Eldred a breach of a conditional discharge.