Advice from the BiB
Discussion
I need some advice from the BiB if possible. I have a job where I finish work, anywhere between 1130-3am. I also have recently bought a white van. However the two do not seem to mix. Since buying this van I have been stopped by the BiB at least once a week, once was my fault, and I have no issues with that, however the other times was to make sure that firstly its not been stolen and secondly to make sure I am not up to no good.
This rate of getting pulled is somewhat irritating, so is there anything (other then getting rid of the van) that I can do to stop this? Each time it can take up to 20 mins to confirm my details, breathalyse, check the van over etc. Is there anything that I can carry with me, to speed the process up? i.e insurance details, full driving licence etc, and will the police believe me and check anyway?
The van is quite distictive and should be remembered and was bought ready to start up my own business when I will be on 24 hour call-out.
Or is it just a case that I need to ride the storm, stop being a baby, and let Surrey Police get to know the van, then hopefully they won't pull me over any longer?
Any help and advice is welcome.
This rate of getting pulled is somewhat irritating, so is there anything (other then getting rid of the van) that I can do to stop this? Each time it can take up to 20 mins to confirm my details, breathalyse, check the van over etc. Is there anything that I can carry with me, to speed the process up? i.e insurance details, full driving licence etc, and will the police believe me and check anyway?
The van is quite distictive and should be remembered and was bought ready to start up my own business when I will be on 24 hour call-out.
Or is it just a case that I need to ride the storm, stop being a baby, and let Surrey Police get to know the van, then hopefully they won't pull me over any longer?
Any help and advice is welcome.
Edited by Leeh754 on Wednesday 25th April 16:27
Driving a van around in the small hours is always going to attract attention I'm afraid. I can't see why it takes 20 mins though. Most local officers now have hand held terminals that speed up checks. Carrying things such as insurance and mot, shouldn't really make a difference, unless the computer is having a issue??
Vehicle stops overnight tend to throw up all sorts of finds. Have you asked the officers the reasons for the stops (before I'm flamed, I know there isn't a need for a reason) but sometimes it's nice to know if there is anything else apart from being a van out and about in the early hours.
Recently there has been a high number of cable thefts in vans, so this might not of helped.
Vehicle stops overnight tend to throw up all sorts of finds. Have you asked the officers the reasons for the stops (before I'm flamed, I know there isn't a need for a reason) but sometimes it's nice to know if there is anything else apart from being a van out and about in the early hours.
Recently there has been a high number of cable thefts in vans, so this might not of helped.
Lakelord said:
Can appreciate your frustration but a few PHers on here have had vans and tools nicked causing them a great deal of grief and loss of earnings. Hope it never happens to you but if so, let's hope the BiB are as vigilant?
I can appreciate the fact that vans and tools are nicked quite regularrly, and this was in no means suppose to be a slagging match for the BiB, I hope it doesn't come across like that. All I wanted to achieve is a plausible solution to a issue I have. Landshark said:
Driving a van around in the small hours is always going to attract attention I'm afraid. I can't see why it takes 20 mins though. Most local officers now have hand held terminals that speed up checks. Carrying things such as insurance and mot, shouldn't really make a difference, unless the computer is having a issue??
Vehicle stops overnight tend to throw up all sorts of finds. Have you asked the officers the reasons for the stops (before I'm flamed, I know there isn't a need for a reason) but sometimes it's nice to know if there is anything else apart from being a van out and about in the early hours.
Recently there has been a high number of cable thefts in vans, so this might not of helped.
Every officer has spoken to someone on a radio, I haven't seen a hand held device, unless it stays in the car. Most of the time it's just the fact it's a van, and there have been alot of thefts in the area. Although thefts of what I am not really sure.Vehicle stops overnight tend to throw up all sorts of finds. Have you asked the officers the reasons for the stops (before I'm flamed, I know there isn't a need for a reason) but sometimes it's nice to know if there is anything else apart from being a van out and about in the early hours.
Recently there has been a high number of cable thefts in vans, so this might not of helped.
Everyone seems to be more interest in what's in the back then the van itself.
Do you think a massive ph smilie on the rear would help me out?
designforlife said:
If you are starting your own business it may be a good idea to get the van vinyled up with your company name/logo/graphic and phone number.
A geniune company van looks a lot less suspicious than a plain white one (imo).
Unfortunatly that idea doesnt work. It still has the vinyl from the bloke I bought it off on the back, minus the phone numbers. A geniune company van looks a lot less suspicious than a plain white one (imo).
Not a lot else to add, but if you're getting stopped during the early hours in Surrey, then chance are I've stopped you.....hi 
Sign writing done properly may help, but I would guess you're still going to get stopped because of the reasons already stated.
Lots of tool thefts at the moment and guess what the thieves drive?
Sign writing done properly may help, but I would guess you're still going to get stopped because of the reasons already stated.
Lots of tool thefts at the moment and guess what the thieves drive?
Leeh754 said:
Every officer has spoken to someone on a radio, I haven't seen a hand held device, unless it stays in the car. Most of the time it's just the fact it's a van, and there have been alot of thefts in the area. Although thefts of what I am not really sure.
Everyone seems to be more interest in what's in the back then the van itself.
Do you think a massive ph smilie on the rear would help me out?
There are some dept's that don't have the hand held things yet!!! Wanting to see what's in the back is making sure you don't have cables, tools, TV's etc in the back!!!! Everyone seems to be more interest in what's in the back then the van itself.
Do you think a massive ph smilie on the rear would help me out?
Furry Exocet said:
Not a lot else to add, but if you're getting stopped during the early hours in Surrey, then chance are I've stopped you.....hi
Sign writing done properly may help, but I would guess you're still going to get stopped because of the reasons already stated.
Lots of tool thefts at the moment and guess what the thieves drive?
Have you stopped a Vivaro with a large Union Jack on the back Window?Sign writing done properly may help, but I would guess you're still going to get stopped because of the reasons already stated.
Lots of tool thefts at the moment and guess what the thieves drive?
Today I have found a huge PH Smilie so that is going on the rear door. Hopefully I won't be too hard to spot with that on it.
If you do stop me, you will have to work hard at being more fun then the armed policeman that stopped me a few weeks ago. Im sure he said if they forget to give back a driving licence to a "customer" then they have to buy the doughnuts on that shift!
Edited by Leeh754 on Wednesday 25th April 23:07
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