Avon & Somerset safety cam FOI request

[J500ANT]

I was bored a few weeks ago and on the www.safecam.org.uk site there is a Freedom Of Information Act button.

So I pressed it and asked:
-Why did they choose the vehicles they use?
-Whether the equipment ran from the car battery or its own?
-What provision is there for the staff welfare when its cold outside.

Here's the reply.

Dear Mr Williams

In response to your request dated 21/02/05 regarding details of the vehicles
used for mobile operations, I can provide the following information:

The Partnership uses Police Spec Ford Galaxies for its mobile operations.
Engine size 2.8 and the fuel used is Petrol. As for the process used to
decide on these vehicles - the Partnership does not hold this information as
the vehicles are part of the Police Fleet generally. For more information
about why the Police utilise these particular vehicles, and for more detail
on their specifications may I suggest you contact the Fleet Manager of Avon
and Somerset Constabulary at Police Headquarters, PO Box 37, Valley Road,
Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8QJ.

The vehicle's engine does not have to be running in order to operate the
mobile equipment. The equipment is run off a separate battery source to
avoid any conflict with engine surge. This allows the vehicle engine to run
if required i.e for heating or air conditioning. It is up to the crews
whether they run the engine or not. The tailgate of the vehicle has to be
up when the equipment is operated so it does get cold. Crews may run the
engine to keep warm, they are also supplied with thick fleeces and other
uniform when working in cold conditions.

I hope this answers your questions, please do not hesitate to contact us if
we can be of any further assistance.

Emma Greenhow on behalf of
Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire Safety Camera Partnership

My thoughts are these..........

Why do they need a 2.8V6 For Galaxy to sit in a layby? Why can't they sit in a van like all the other camera people? And surely if they are sat in the vehicle with the engine running then they are grossly polluting the environment. How ironic that one of the partner councils have this campaign running?

Comments please.

Tony

[princeperch]

my thoughts:


I would have been inclined to ask what provisions there are to ensure there is no staff welfare when it’s cold outside.

These parasites don’t deserve air con when it’s warm, or thick fleeces when its cold. Further to the response you received, I am considering lodging a complaint....

This is aimed at the civilian scammers, because for the bib's I know when you take the kings shilling you may have to do things such as scamming that you may/may not disagree with. How a member of joe public can apply for a job that will result in lots and lots of other people loosing their job and take more abuse and be a figure of hate more than a traffic warden is beyond me.

If I was in their position id rather be on the dole or get a frigging paper round.




>> Edited by princeperch on Saturday 12th March 00:35

[autismuk]

J500ANT said:

Why do they (Scamera Mob) need a 2.8V6 For Galaxy to sit in a layby? Why can't they sit in a van like all the other camera people? And surely if they are sat in the vehicle with the engine running then they are grossly polluting the environment. How ironic that one of the partner councils have this campaign running? Comments please. Tony

They don't need it. They aren't allowed to make much money, so they have to spend the Scamera money on something.

[JMGS4]

J500ANT said:

This allows the vehicle engine to run if required i.e for heating or air conditioning. It is up to the crews whether they run the engine or not.

So we can nail the barstewards as leaving the engine running is an EU nono, illegal in most EU countries and perhaps in Britain???? anyone know exactly?

Here we certainly cannot leave the engine running for anything except a set of lights and if these are on longphase we're expected to shut off the engine!
Can't even run the engine while removing snow or ice here!!!!!

[longq]

JMGS4 said:

J500ANT said: This allows the vehicle engine to run if required i.e for heating or air conditioning. It is up to the crews whether they run the engine or not. So we can nail the barstewards as leaving the engine running is an EU nono, illegal in most EU countries and perhaps in Britain???? anyone know exactly? Here we certainly cannot leave the engine running for anything except a set of lights and if these are on longphase we're expected to shut off the engine! Can't even run the engine while removing snow or ice here!!!!!

Umm. Presumably they turn the engine off if they need to make a phone call then - or have a drink or something to eat. Or operate other equipment?

[mybrainhurts]

What size/type of bucket do they use....?

[deeps]

J500ANT, Nicely spotted!
I think you should write to the Bristol Evening Post pointing out the scammers poluting ways and flying in the face of Bristol city council.
The evening post are anti speed cameras, Im sure they'd appreciate an email. Their email address is:

[e-mail]

Cheers

[J500ANT]

I've already had one letter in the Letters page re speed cameras being used in Temple Way and sent in photos that led to an article in the paper. The scam people had their Galaxy set up in the front car park of Filton police station, so people driving either way would probably assume its just a van parked up. Wasn't amused at that, I went home got my camera and emailed them to the Evening Post. A few days later they called me back and we did a story on it. The van was there "supporting a nearby fixed camera" though why it needed support I dont know, no-one had attacked it!

I will be emailing the Evening Post later..........

Tony