Quick traffic police question

Justintime · 12 Mar 2010 at 13:30

Went out for some stuff at shops not far from work about 1/2hr ago. I passed quite a few traffic police cars, some covering the side roads and some police vans on the side of the road where it was coned off and they were pulling people over. A little worried as i was doing almost 40 on my speedo (massive wide road with a view for miles but its a 30 for some reason) though if i do get done its my own fault. Saw the first traffic car in a side road and went down to 30 or so. Did not see any radar being used and no camera signs etc.. Am i right in assuming its a tax/insurance dodger sting and they'd have pulled me on the spot if they deemed me speeding? We're talking maybe 20-30 police all over the road.

stulid · 12 Mar 2010 at 13:37

Sounds like they are grabbing tax dodgers, there would be a van with cameras parked somewhere, relayin information to them, and cops in cars ready to catch the runners or people who take a quick detour when spotted.

IAmATeaf · 12 Mar 2010 at 13:49

Sounds like an ANPR trap to catch people without tax, insurance, driving licenses etc...

Semple · 12 Mar 2010 at 13:58

That's a lot of police for catching tax dodgers. Its usually a van and a car or two.

mast3r · 12 Mar 2010 at 14:30

indeed, what about the drug dealers and post office robberys?

They must be running low on funds...

Burnsy2023 · 12 Mar 2010 at 15:19

IAmATeaf said:
Sounds like an ANPR trap to catch people without tax, insurance, driving licenses etc...

Yep, sounds like it.

mast3r said:
indeed, what about the drug dealers and post office robberys?

They must be running low on funds...

Ironically, ANPR is used to find wanted people as well such as drug dealers etc. Get a grip.

mast3r · 12 Mar 2010 at 15:35

Burnsy2023 said:
Ironically, ANPR is used to find wanted people as well such as drug dealers etc. Get a grip.

Ironically, ANPR is indeed used to do such a thing, but since when does it take an Army of officers? I drive passed these on a regular basis, there is never any less than 25 officers (the missus counted them)

This system can be done with what, a Single ANPR equipped car set up, 1 officer, an Officer to hold his hand up at the oncoming "Offender", a group of PCSO's to take the details and one or two high speed bobbies for good luck.

I agree with the process I don’t agree with the way they priorities their resources

Gaygle · 12 Mar 2010 at 15:49

mast3r said:
Ironically, ANPR is indeed used to do such a thing, but since when does it take an Army of officers? I drive passed these on a regular basis, there is never any less than 25 officers (the missus counted them)

This system can be done with what, a Single ANPR equipped car set up, 1 officer, an Officer to hold his hand up at the oncoming "Offender", a group of PCSO's to take the details and one or two high speed bobbies for good luck.

I agree with the process I don’t agree with the way they priorities their resources

lol. You really have no idea do you? "Hold his hand up at the offender"? I'm not sure if that's meant to be a joke?

What happen's if a wanted drug dealer or post office robber flags up, you think he's going to pull over or speed into the distance, leaving the officer waving his hand around?

What happen's if a truck gets pulled and a lorry expert is needed to deem it roadworthy?

What happen's if a car/van flags up that has been implicated in using illegal immigrants? How are your trusty PCSO's going to take down the details of people who don't have a fixed address and aren't even on the system?

People like you really get on my nerves, because you just seem to live in a dream world? Seriously, get a grip.

jamief · 12 Mar 2010 at 15:52

Gaygle said:
lol. You really have no idea do you? "Hold his hand up at the offender"? I'm not sure if that's meant to be a joke?

What happen's if a wanted drug dealer or post office robber flags up, you think he's going to pull over or speed into the distance, leaving the officer waving his hand around?

What happen's if a truck gets pulled and a lorry expert is needed to deem it roadworthy?

What happen's if a car/van flags up that has been implicated in using illegal immigrants? How are your trusty PCSO's going to take down the details of people who don't have a fixed address and aren't even on the system?

People like you really get on my nerves, because you just seem to live in a dream world? Seriously, get a grip.

He's obviously an expert on police resourcing though?

IAmATeaf · 12 Mar 2010 at 16:54

mast3r said:
Ironically, ANPR is indeed used to do such a thing, but since when does it take an Army of officers? I drive passed these on a regular basis, there is never any less than 25 officers (the missus counted them)

This system can be done with what, a Single ANPR equipped car set up, 1 officer, an Officer to hold his hand up at the oncoming "Offender", a group of PCSO's to take the details and one or two high speed bobbies for good luck.

I agree with the process I don’t agree with the way they priorities their resources

Hmmm, would work if all offenders are law abiding who do as the police or the law says :confused:

Lethal` · 12 Mar 2010 at 16:59

There's a BMW estate traffic police car that normally hangs around a main route between two towns near here. It's a 30 limit, and sometimes I see it parked up either facing traffic or behind. Although the other day it was parked, facing out towards the road, in a narrow side road.

It can't read numberplates from the side of a car and I would assume they can't measure speed in such a short distance. So what was it likely to be doing? Just interested

mast3r · 12 Mar 2010 at 17:06

It was Meant as a joke yes.

I give up. remove my posts mod.

PS, My Father In Law (to be) is a Sergent for a team of Traffic Officer's, my words were from his mouth only this past weekend, he has served for 39 years on the roads, i take his opinion which as it happens to be the same as mine seriosuly.

This is all a case of What If's.

Surprisingly the Gtr Manchester Police force have come out bottom for not only general policing but for Officer Resourcing especially on this topic.

eatcustard · 12 Mar 2010 at 18:56

It will ANPR

We get them a lot in Brummyville often 20 cars+
they get loads of untaxed/insured muppets

Burnsy2023 · 12 Mar 2010 at 20:20

mast3r said:
Ironically, ANPR is indeed used to do such a thing, but since when does it take an Army of officers? I drive passed these on a regular basis, there is never any less than 25 officers (the missus counted them)

This system can be done with what, a Single ANPR equipped car set up, 1 officer, an Officer to hold his hand up at the oncoming "Offender", a group of PCSO's to take the details and one or two high speed bobbies for good luck.

I agree with the process I don’t agree with the way they priorities their resources

Yes and that lets you stop one offender at any one time. IIRC PCSOs aren't trained to search vehicles either.

The number of officers required depends on the aims of the operation.

friddela · 12 Mar 2010 at 21:27

Burnsy2023 said:
Yes and that lets you stop one offender at any one time. IIRC PCSOs aren't trained to search vehicles either.

The number of officers required depends on the aims of the operation.

Depends entirely on the force and how much the Sergeant/Inspector will 'bend' the rules. As the number of PC's keeps on getting lower (2 per shift for us) I'm sure it will happen more and more.

Having said that, it will be a traffic operation so not sure why PCSO's would be there.

Duke · 12 Mar 2010 at 21:30

Lethal` said:
There's a BMW estate traffic police car that normally hangs around a main route between two towns near here. It's a 30 limit, and sometimes I see it parked up either facing traffic or behind. Although the other day it was parked, facing out towards the road, in a narrow side road.

It can't read numberplates from the side of a car and I would assume they can't measure speed in such a short distance. So what was it likely to be doing? Just interested

It could be waiting for a particular car or someone to go fly past, or on their phone, etc.