New unmarked car, Salisbury, Wiltshire

[Mad Dave]

Gold coloured Saab (new 9000 kinda shape). Usual flashy lights in the grille/rear shelf. Saw it today with all lights ablaze, plain clothes dressed lady at the wheel.

I assume Salisbury Police still have their RS03 registered Black Octavia RS.

[bennyboysvuk]

If we're going that direction, I may as well mention the unmarked (well apart from a few stone chips I'd expect ) dark green V-registration Volvo V70 saloon that I saw on the M3 between Basingstoke and Winchester recently.

Noticed it whilst travelling at approx 80 ish and so pulled in behind and backed off a little. It was doing about 75ish. Seconds later a girl in a Golf convertible went by pretty briskly. The unmarked Volvo didn't hesitate to follow her. Doh!

Ben

[Streetcop]

Plain clothes is unusual...

Street

[timsta]

Streetcop said:

Plain clothes is unusual... Street

I agree. I was under the impression that you only had to stop for an officer in uniform.

Tim

[Mad Dave]

Hmmm, well maybe im wrong about the plain clothes bit - she had shoulder length light brown hair - most WPC's ive seen have their hair tied back. She did blitz past pretty damn swiftly though.

Whilst we're on the subject, Warminster have a blue Honda Accord 2.2 VTEC with all the toys. Registration HY52 (i think). This replaces the red Accord Type R that they used to blast around in. Dont forget the sneaky scamera bike that Wilts police are hiding behind bridges and the like.

Dave

[Streetcop]

timsta said:

Streetcop said: Plain clothes is unusual... Street I agree. I was under the impression that you only had to stop for an officer in uniform. Tim

Hi Tim.
Technically you're right. It's a case of what to do best in the circumstances. Idealy a police officer working in plain clothes in a plain car should radio up for a marked mobile to stop you. However, depending on the particular squad, the unmarked vehicle might have blue lights etc behind the grill. You are perfectly in your right to not stop, (fearing a bogus police officer might be wanting to cause you some harm etc). However, I personally would recommend that you stop, but not get out. Wind you window down a fraction to fascilitate conversation and request to see a warrant card before you comply with any further instructions. If this then satisfies your doubts, ok. If it doesn't drive away and to your nearest police station. If the 'Bib' was a fake, you can file your information with the police. If he was genuine, you'll probably be stopped by a marked mobile in a matter of minutes (depending on where you are in the country).

Personally, I have never had a problem with people stopping for me whilst not in uniform. I've had to pass my warrant card through a 3cm opened window before on a couple of occasions, but feel perfectly ok and glad that the motorist has taken those precautions.

Generally, it's the scrotey end of the market that warrant such stops and they usually don't have the normal persons fears or anxiety.

Street