Unmarked plod... is it really safe to pull over?

[s a m]

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?

[s a m]

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.

[s a m]

So it’s not safe, and doing so puts you at great personal risk... the “puller over” could be a plod, if your lucky… and if you put up a fuss you get into more trouble.

Real safety second?

[s a m]

Hope not... long as they don't think your being a smart arse or wasting their time.

[s a m]

mungo said:

The requirement to stop is totally lawful and enforceable. You would very highly likely find yourself arrested and charged with failing to stop in the circumstances you describe.

So with regard to my first comment - one would (and should, is how I read your post) get in serious trouble for exercising common sense.

[s a m]

mg6b said:

s a m said: mungo said: The requirement to stop is totally lawful and enforceable. You would very highly likely find yourself arrested and charged with failing to stop in the circumstances you describe. So with regard to my first comment - one would (and should, is how I read your post) get in serious trouble for exercising common sense. No. Common sense would be to do as you are instructed and stop. You should stop as far over to the left as is possible but be careful about stopping on the verge which may be soft or any French drain which may be deep! I would suggest that you do not get out of the vehicle but make sure the nearside door is unlocked so it can be opened by the officer who will come to you. If you are asked to get out, make your way around the front of the car and join the officer at the nearside. Do not stand between the two vehicles and always make sure that you are watching the traffic approaching you so you can jump if needs be!

Isn't my point about the plod NOT being a real plod, and in fact using it as a cover to get you to stop in a quiet, remote place then get you out, or themselves into the car?

I would have a problem stopping on the hard shoulder, I have seen Police Stop and similar enough times to see what *can* happen when nutters can't stay in lane. I would pull over for a marked car, all be it a little pissed off, but unmarked would be a difficult call for both the hijack risk, and the road safety angle.