Hidden cameras again?

[safespeed]

Hi all,

The following anonymous submission just in at SafeSpeed...

"The biggest single reason for the proposed ban on radar detectors is because we know that the speed camera program is not working and a return to hidden cameras is being considered.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!"

... from someone claiming to be a DfT Employee.

I've asked for documentary evidence. Has anyone got any ideas how we might pick this up with a freedom of information request?

[huwbertus]

You could try asking for an index of documents available from the concerned party. It is then a matter of picking the ones you you want, but be cearfull, I belive that there could be instances where you have to pay for the photocopying, stapling, posting etc.

[BliarOut]

I'm no expert on this, but there must be meetings where legislation is discussed and ammended prior to being put before the house.

I very much doubt there would be discussion that states that "it's not working" but minutes of any such meeting may turn up somethng interesting.

Sorry I don't have anything definitive, but if I think of anything I'll post it up.

Edited to add:

What piece of the puzzle are you missing that you couldn't find before. Perhaps there's a point of contact that was previously obfurscated that you can now sidestep?

>> Edited by BliarOut on Saturday 22 January 10:48

[kevinday]

Just a thought, but all new bills pass through the committee stage, where minutes are kept. Surely these should be released on request? Or, alternatively, look at Hansard for the day it was debated in the House.

[Don]

1) Even when they were grey GATSOs were not that hard to spot - unless placed behind signs deliberately - and if they do that they could be yellow and make no difference.

2) GPS systems are and will still be legal and would "detect" such hidden GATSOs anyway.

3) Scamera vans are, in effect, hidden to some extent anyway as they are not in a fixed location.

4) Given the almost total demise of Trafpol who is going to spot my illegal Radar/Laser Detector anway.

I intend to get one ahead of any proposed ban and will then use it. After all if I'm happy to break the law with respect to speed, presumably I am a total crim and am happy to break the law with regard to detectors...(and guess what? I am.)

[james_j]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is true, I have said a number of times myself on this forum that I thought the next step would be more hidden traps so as to render the only remaining (legal) detectors (i.e. GPS) virtually useless.

[james_j]

Don said:

I intend to get one ahead of any proposed ban and will then use it. After all if I'm happy to break the law with respect to speed, presumably I am a total crim and am happy to break the law with regard to detectors...(and guess what? I am.)

Absolutely.

The "lawmakers" will just create more lawbreakers with all the consequences that entails, i.e. even less respect for the law within an ever widening circle of people.

[mybrainhurts]

The new Chief Con of South Yorkshire is in favour of hidden cameras and, since his arrival, tripod mounted mini gatsos are being deployed, while the van sits out of sight in another road.

[JoolzB]

Correction to the statement, please see below:-

"The biggest single reason for the proposed ban on radar detectors is because we know that the speed camera program is not working and a as a result of the drop in income, the Police Christmas party will be held in the Shepherd & Dog and not the proposed Travel Lodge.

[Boosted LS1]

mybrainhurts said:

The new Chief Con of South Yorkshire is in favour of hidden cameras and, since his arrival, tripod mounted mini gatsos are being deployed, while the van sits out of sight in another road.

Always spotted by there being 3 wires on your carriageway Watch out for them!

[Streetcop]

mybrainhurts said:

The new Chief Con of South Yorkshire is in favour of hidden cameras and, since his arrival, tripod mounted mini gatsos are being deployed, while the van sits out of sight in another road.

Didn't he recently get caught for speeding twice himself, I believe I read..?

[Globulators]

james_j said:

I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is true, I have said a number of times myself on this forum that I thought the next step would be more hidden traps so as to render the only remaining (legal) detectors (i.e. GPS) virtually useless.

It's going to get to the point where fake number plates (or a nice mud spraygun system) are mandatory.

If that still fails and you get done, it's got to be a matter of running cheap cars without any license, insurance or MOT. Cheaper too, no points issues and no hike in insurance, as you won't have that!

That's the benefit of making everyone a criminal - you get to do all those exciting things too

[mybrainhurts]

Streetcop said:

mybrainhurts said: The new Chief Con of South Yorkshire is in favour of hidden cameras and, since his arrival, tripod mounted mini gatsos are being deployed, while the van sits out of sight in another road. Didn't he recently get caught for speeding twice himself, I believe I read..?

He did, indeed.

Believe he beat himself up with a bamboo twig.....

[safespeed]

huwbertus said:

You could try asking for an index of documents available from the concerned party.

BliarOut said:

I'm no expert on this, but there must be meetings where legislation is discussed and ammended prior to being put before the house. I very much doubt there would be discussion that states that "it's not working" but minutes of any such meeting may turn up somethng interesting.

kevinday said:

Just a thought, but all new bills pass through the committee stage, where minutes are kept. Surely these should be released on request? Or, alternatively, look at Hansard for the day it was debated in the House.

Thanks for the tips guys.

I've already been over the Hansard stuff with no helpful result.

With these clues and some other stuff in email, I've got some good ideas about where to look. I AM following this up.

I can't know that the original post was genuine, but it does ring true. If it is genuine and if we can get hold of documentary evidence we'll have a major news story.

[Peter Ward]

There's an article in yesterday's Sunday Times about hunting. The ACPO spokesman on the countryside says that the police will not be using hidden cameras to catch hunts that chase foxes, and that breaking the hunting ban is not a very serious offence.

Compare that to the police's plans for using hidden cameras for speeding. In hunting, a fox dies -- apparently the world's most heinous crime. In speeding, nothing dies -- but we're still to be captured on candid camera. Are the police chiefs off-message again? Or is this simply a further indication of completely screwed-up lawmakers at work?