Brisel Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 Spotted yesterday: Metallic green unmarked Vauxhall Vectra with the number plate starting FX54... Just a very normal looking car with alloys etc that you would expect from an upper range Vectra. Pulled someone over on the A52 near Donington. Lincs police have 4 unmarked cars - 2 Vectras, a blue WRX & a grey 02 plate Skoda Octavia RS. The Skoda won't be around much longer as it has done 110k miles & the copper I spoke to at a Cruise Lincs meeting thought that it would be replaced by another Scooby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 They've also got some white (no livery) Omega MV6's and they were trialling a black M5 earlier in the year, don't know if they've still got that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 It's just not cricket, is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 why??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Well, far be it from me to suggest that on occasion police officers use these performance cars in an inappropriate way, but I do know a person (who I absolutely have no cause to believe would exaggerate these things) who was driving a 2-seater open-top sports car at slightly over the limit in an NSL, and an unmarked car mentioned in the thread was very agressive in coming out of some slow corners behind him and of course he put his foot down a bit, so what could have been sorted out with a little chat turned into a booking. It's stories like these that sometimes make people wonder just what the reasoning behind some of the unmarked car purchases is. I do sense a little bit of paranoia from you in that any comment about the police gets your dander up a bit, and that's understandable given some of the comments made on here sometimes, but don't worry, I'm not anti-police and I know that sometimes individual officers can behave in ways that let down the majority, but don't you think there's a risk that buying unmarked ultra-performance cars for covert traffic operations might encourage a little bit of 'enthusiasm' on both driving and traffic duties? Besides which, aren't there much more cost-effective persuit vehicles than M5s? I mean, come on, that's got to be milking it a wee bit? Of course, I wouldn't mind at all if I got to have a go in one of them, just preferably not in the back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Stealth is cheating......... We don't go around with blue lights and siren blazing (so we don't copy you boys), so it's a bit unfair when you copy us and go out in unmarked cars . Then to add to the unfairness you go around in M5's, WRX's and some very un police, police cars. I would prefer you to have fully marked cars, even 50% more of them to 1 unmarked car. That will send out clearer messages to all road abusers than a couple of money makers in a plain clothed police car. A plain car just catches and catches (more and more revenue) people out. A marked car will deter all in it's path. So while plain car makes 5-8 collars a shift, a marked one will deter 1000's per shift and nick a few of the silly ones. Thus from a public point of view, marked cars are better at serving the public community, a plain clothes one on road traffic use does nothing apart from expanding the coffers of the exchequer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 How does one word sound paranoid?? Personally I love unmarked cars, I rarely go out in them, but its funny to see things when people dont know you are there To be honest an M5 is a VERY rare choice, you wont find many forces that will buy them, but also BMW especially, are making a very big effort to supply UK Police forces and are offering big discounts on the cars. My force doesnt use performance cars, they used to have cars like Cosworths in the 90's but now its just Mercs and Skoda's. Chri5, to be honest, only 1 or 2 unmarked cars are used in the area I work, and sometimes staffing levels means that none are sent out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] How does one word sound paranoid?? [/ QUOTE ] Other posts, but like I say, understandable given how some people post rather unpleasant things about your colleagues... [ QUOTE ] Personally I love unmarked cars, I rarely go out in them, but its funny to see things when people dont know you are there [/ QUOTE ] Well, to be honest, if the focus of that was people driving stupidly and dangerously, I wouldn't mind. However, the kit in the cars (vascar etc) is geared up towards recording somebody's speed, and a performance car in my mind might encourage the officers using it to persue fast moving cars even if that means passing several idiots driving with their eyes, ears and brains shut. Guess which I consider to be more dangerous (bear in mind I do live in the land of the pottering idiot)? I've said before that I would quite like to see unmarked cars fitted with constant video recording (all the time the car is in use, digitally recorded, encrypted and signed so it can't be tampered with, turned off etc) used to just drive around and look for people being complete planks on the road, regardless of their speed, and pull them over for a chat or a booking. If they want to go to court and have the video shown in court of them weaving about, overtaking on blind corners (in 5th gear from 30 mph most likely), and failing or use mirrors or indicators, that's their lookout and they'll end up getting the points, the fine and costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 re vascar etc - You have PM I would much rather focus on someones standard of driving, Speed DOES NOT kill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] ... I do know a person (who I absolutely have no cause to believe would exaggerate these things) who was driving a 2-seater open-top sports car at slightly over the limit in an NSL, and an unmarked car mentioned in the thread was very agressive in coming out of some slow corners behind him and of course he put his foot down a bit, so what could have been sorted out with a little chat turned into a booking. [/ QUOTE ] Unfortunately, this is not a new phenomenon. A work colleague in the 1970s told of an incident he had witnessed on the M1. An MGB, being driven in a relatively sedate manner was being followed by a saloon car (Rover 2000, IIRC) which was behaving agressively - tail-gating, headlights flashing etc. The poor MG driver got fed up with this so put his foot down. A little further along the road, the saloon car had switched on the hidden blue lights, and raised the 'POLICE STOP' sign in the rear window (yes, in those days they were pieces of board rested on the parcel shelf and raised by pulling a piece of string!). My colleague was tempted to stop and offer to witness for the MG driver, but reasoned that the coppers might not approve of his involvement, and book him for stopping on the motorway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 How do unmarked Police cars slow people down, save lives and serve the public? Unless the force in question do full page adverts in their local papers saying: 'We have Unmarked Police Cars out there, Slow down' (which might actually be a good idea)..... All I can see them doing as Traffic Cars is pulling people over and fining them, and fueling the revenue rather than crime fighting debate further. Surely they should be being used as undercover vehicles etc and not pulling speeders....? That said we dont know how often they are used for Traffic Duty.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 Unmarked cars are mainly based on Traffic departments, BUT, they are being used a lot more now with ANPR units, targetting stolen cars, uninsured cars and cars involved in crime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snail Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] How do unmarked Police cars slow people down, save lives and serve the public? [/ QUOTE ] The thing is, if all police cars were marked, you'd never worry about speeding, you'd just belt along until you see one. With unmarked, your never quite sure. I think not being quite sure what the police are driving is far more of a deterent. The thing is, if your not breaking any rules, what does it matter what the police drive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 In fairness in a week of driving on UK roads, I probably only broke the speed limit twice..... far too much traffic!! (e.g. 3 hours to do 45 miles on Sunday). So its almost self regulating anyway! Oh theres a thought. If I get stopped at say 90mph on the M3, could I get away with telling the Officer that I had sat in standstill traffic for the last 30 mins, so I am actually averaging well under 90mph....??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] If I get stopped at say 90mph on the M3, could I get away with telling the Officer that I had sat in standstill traffic for the last 30 mins, so I am actually averaging well under 90mph....??? [/ QUOTE ] I've often thought of the possibility of using this as a defence! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvantSE Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] If I get stopped at say 90mph on the M3, could I get away with telling the Officer that I had sat in standstill traffic for the last 30 mins, so I am actually averaging well under 90mph....??? [/ QUOTE ] I've often thought of the possibility of using this as a defence! [/ QUOTE ] Nice idea, shame the offence is exceeding a statutory speed limit and not an average speed. "Officer, my average speed, according to DIS, is 38mph over the last 62 hours of driving. Therefore I have not committed an offence on this section of 70mph motorway." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin09 Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] If I get stopped at say 90mph on the M3, could I get away with telling the Officer that I had sat in standstill traffic for the last 30 mins, so I am actually averaging well under 90mph....??? [/ QUOTE ] I've often thought of the possibility of using this as a defence! [/ QUOTE ] Nice idea, shame the offence is exceeding a statutory speed limit and not an average speed. "Officer, my average speed, according to DIS, is 38mph over the last 62 hours of driving. Therefore I have not committed an offence on this section of 70mph motorway." [/ QUOTE ] I think its been raised before, but what if there's 2 cameras within a few hundred yards of each other and you get caught by both for breaking the limit. Surely its one offence, because you didnt have a chance to dip below the speed limit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted June 6, 2006 Report Share Posted June 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] The thing is, if your not breaking any rules, what does it matter what the police drive? [/ QUOTE ] I couldnt have put it better myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin09 Posted June 7, 2006 Report Share Posted June 7, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] The thing is, if your not breaking any rules, what does it matter what the police drive? [/ QUOTE ] I couldnt have put it better myself [/ QUOTE ] Because I break the speed limit all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted June 7, 2006 Report Share Posted June 7, 2006 Like the vast majority of us - if we didn't then why would you need unmarked vehicles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin09 Posted June 7, 2006 Report Share Posted June 7, 2006 Coincidentally, I almost just got driven into by a red Octavia VRS unmarked with its lights flashing in the grille, hoofing it down Portland Street. FX54DUH, surely it couldnt be the Fire Dept driving like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted June 7, 2006 Report Share Posted June 7, 2006 coming up the M20 in Kent yesterday i was cruising about 75mph when a sky blue Volvo S60 joined the motorway just in front of me. As we approached roadworks with a 50mph sign he slowed down but as there was noone working on the road i stuck at 70mph,after we got through he then went pass me and went away from me at quite a rate. 3 minutes down the road there he is on the hard shoulder with blue lights flashing in the rear window and in his light clusters having pulled a bmw, close shave for me there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted June 7, 2006 Report Share Posted June 7, 2006 lucky boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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