Unmarked plod... is it really safe to pull over?
Discussion
This one may have been raised before, if so – sorry 
My point: You’re driving along minding your own business one evening on a quiet motorway, and the next thing you know there’s blue lights behind you and you’re getting pulled over.
With particular reference to the recent cash depot robbery, and the way the guy was said to be kidnapped (fake unmarked plod car), is it safe to pull over?
It sounds to me like a very neat way of hijacking a car – fit some blue lights (very easy) and drive a Volvo or Omega. Walk up to the target in a fancy dress outfit and ask them to step out of the vehicle, walk them to your car where your buddy is waiting, and hop into theirs and drive off. I am sure the same trick would work for rape, muggings, assaults, you name it.
What would you do?
My point: You’re driving along minding your own business one evening on a quiet motorway, and the next thing you know there’s blue lights behind you and you’re getting pulled over.
With particular reference to the recent cash depot robbery, and the way the guy was said to be kidnapped (fake unmarked plod car), is it safe to pull over?
It sounds to me like a very neat way of hijacking a car – fit some blue lights (very easy) and drive a Volvo or Omega. Walk up to the target in a fancy dress outfit and ask them to step out of the vehicle, walk them to your car where your buddy is waiting, and hop into theirs and drive off. I am sure the same trick would work for rape, muggings, assaults, you name it.
What would you do?
I don't know what a genuine plod ID looks like, I don't have one to compare it to, have not been on a course covering the verification of such IDs and quite sure I could whip up a pro looking ID of sorts in Photoshop....
Not that I plan on being pulled, but it does strike me as an issue - you don't want to get into more trouble by not stopping, or being seen as a smart arse (I can imagine them getting very nasty if you start quizzing them or refusing to get out of the car, locking yourself in etc), on the other hand I don't want to get hijacked.
Not that I plan on being pulled, but it does strike me as an issue - you don't want to get into more trouble by not stopping, or being seen as a smart arse (I can imagine them getting very nasty if you start quizzing them or refusing to get out of the car, locking yourself in etc), on the other hand I don't want to get hijacked.
There were a number of car jackings years ago in the NE of England that were done just like this, two blokes, white shits, black ties and blue strobes behind the grill. At the time there was a bit of an uproar and everybody said police should use marked cars etc but I don't think anything changed, people just forgot about it.
There's absolutely zero chance of getting rid of unmarked cars now they can be used to catch cars driving at a safe but obviously co2 extravegent speed.
There's absolutely zero chance of getting rid of unmarked cars now they can be used to catch cars driving at a safe but obviously co2 extravegent speed.
I would certainly think twice about stopping for an unmarked car and I've told my wife and daughter NEVER to stop in such circumstances, but either to drive to the nearest police station or to call the police on a mobile and arrange for a marked car to meet them, continuing until this happens.
If the police don't like this approach, then that's tough, but better safe than sorry in this nasty world we live in.
If the police don't like this approach, then that's tough, but better safe than sorry in this nasty world we live in.
cooperman said:
I would certainly think twice about stopping for an unmarked car and I've told my wife and daughter NEVER to stop in such circumstances, but either to drive to the nearest police station or to call the police on a mobile and arrange for a marked car to meet them, continuing until this happens.
If the police don't like this approach, then that's tough, but better safe than sorry in this nasty world we live in.
I hope you're prepared for someone to lob a stinger or similar out in front of your car...
Dibble said:
Yes you are. The requirement to stop is that the officer must be in uniform, not the car.
So if I am 'signalled' to stop at night by somebody in an unmarked car, I'm supposed to be able to work out whether or not he has a uniform on, which may or may not be a police uniform and may or may not be hired from a theatrical costumier? Give me a break.
It's a recognised issue - lorry drivers carrying valuable cargo have a card which they hold up to the window - which I think offers to follow the Police to the station?
My brother used to drive around the country with 'MOD related' stuff in his car - he was instructed never to stop for the Police but to head for nearest Miliary establishment. Could have been interesting!
Going back a few yrs, a local JP was stopped by an unmarked car. He panicked and drove off (doing a U turn and driving the wrong way down a one-way street). They threw the book at him.
My brother used to drive around the country with 'MOD related' stuff in his car - he was instructed never to stop for the Police but to head for nearest Miliary establishment. Could have been interesting!
Going back a few yrs, a local JP was stopped by an unmarked car. He panicked and drove off (doing a U turn and driving the wrong way down a one-way street). They threw the book at him.
OK, I'm playing Devil's advocate somewhat.
The law (s163 RTA 1988) states (my paraphrase) that you must stop for a constable in uniform.
I completely understand why people would be wary to stop for an unmarked car, and it's difficult to see into a vehicle, even during the day, and see who is driving.
Unfortunately, if you do fail to stop for an unmarked car, the first marked car you do see may be the one shielding the officer throwing out the stinger in front of you.
And as other posters have said, what does a genuine warrant card look like? There is currently no national standard; some are merely cards with photos in a heat sealed laminate pouch, others are embossed credit card jobs complete with holograms.
Similarly, there is no national standard for uniforms.
The law (s163 RTA 1988) states (my paraphrase) that you must stop for a constable in uniform.
I completely understand why people would be wary to stop for an unmarked car, and it's difficult to see into a vehicle, even during the day, and see who is driving.
Unfortunately, if you do fail to stop for an unmarked car, the first marked car you do see may be the one shielding the officer throwing out the stinger in front of you.
And as other posters have said, what does a genuine warrant card look like? There is currently no national standard; some are merely cards with photos in a heat sealed laminate pouch, others are embossed credit card jobs complete with holograms.
Similarly, there is no national standard for uniforms.
Dibble said:
OK, I'm playing Devil's advocate somewhat.
The law (s163 RTA 1988) states (my paraphrase) that you must stop for a constable in uniform.
I completely understand why people would be wary to stop for an unmarked car, and it's difficult to see into a vehicle, even during the day, and see who is driving.
Unfortunately, if you do fail to stop for an unmarked car, the first marked car you do see may be the one shielding the officer throwing out the stinger in front of you.
And as other posters have said, what does a genuine warrant card look like? There is currently no national standard; some are merely cards with photos in a heat sealed laminate pouch, others are embossed credit card jobs complete with holograms.
Similarly, there is no national standard for uniforms.
Blimey that needs sorting out surely?
If in doubt, drive to a police station.
If you have a mobile phone (hands free, of course) then you can also dial 999 and explain the position you're in.
Alternatively, a public place such as a motorway service station should be safer.
I do remember one case where a chap was cruising the M25 a few years ago. Just a white sierra and a yellow jacket. No lights, but he would stop people and give them a lecture on their driving 'faults'.
It can and does happen, but it is very rare. Still, where you are concerned, then you should act on those concerns. Genuine BiB should not have a problem with what you're doing.
If you have a mobile phone (hands free, of course) then you can also dial 999 and explain the position you're in.
Alternatively, a public place such as a motorway service station should be safer.
I do remember one case where a chap was cruising the M25 a few years ago. Just a white sierra and a yellow jacket. No lights, but he would stop people and give them a lecture on their driving 'faults'.
It can and does happen, but it is very rare. Still, where you are concerned, then you should act on those concerns. Genuine BiB should not have a problem with what you're doing.
Deltafox said:
OK, I'm playing Devil's advocate somewhat.
The law (s163 RTA 1988) states (my paraphrase) that you must stop for a constable in uniform.
I completely understand why people would be wary to stop for an unmarked car, and it's difficult to see into a vehicle, even during the day, and see who is driving.
Unfortunately, if you do fail to stop for an unmarked car, the first marked car you do see may be the one shielding the officer throwing out the stinger in front of you.
And as other posters have said, what does a genuine warrant card look like? There is currently no national standard; some are merely cards with photos in a heat sealed laminate pouch, others are embossed credit card jobs complete with holograms.
Similarly, there is no national standard for uniforms.
Blimey that needs sorting out surely?
Oh, it will be, about a week after we get a national police force........
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