Stopped by police; Forecourt Security Register
Discussion
A friend of mine was recently stopped by the police for a full docs check and chat at the side of the road. They weren't speeding, was in a busy area of London. They were driving a newly bought second hand car from a forecourt and had a lot of questions on when they'd bought the car and if they were 'in the trade'. They were let to go about their evening but without much of an explanation, but are now paranoid on the history of the car and whether there is a 'marker' against the plate.
I ran my own hpi check on the plate which came back absolutely fine; I'm guessing the the stop may have been due to the car not being removed from the security watch database by the forecourt as per below;
This register typically records vehicles at high risk of fraud or theft (e.g. hire cars, demonstrator vehicles and garage forecourt stock). The Security Watch register is primarily used by the Police, finance companies and the motor trade, to ensure that these vehicles can be traced if someone steals them or attempts to sell them fraudulently (for example - perhaps without first settling an outstanding agreement). The registering party will be alerted that an HPI Check has been made and they should contact you within the next working day, please contact us if this is not the case. You should not purchase a vehicle that is recorded on this register, until you receive confirmation that it is all clear from either the registering party or us
I explained that the police may have removed the marker after confirming everything was fine from the stop. Is this a sensible conclusion? I also said that they shouldn't get too stressed about it as there are probably a lot of stops going on at this time of year due to drink driving crackdowns etc. Anything else it could have been or any other way to check?
I ran my own hpi check on the plate which came back absolutely fine; I'm guessing the the stop may have been due to the car not being removed from the security watch database by the forecourt as per below;
This register typically records vehicles at high risk of fraud or theft (e.g. hire cars, demonstrator vehicles and garage forecourt stock). The Security Watch register is primarily used by the Police, finance companies and the motor trade, to ensure that these vehicles can be traced if someone steals them or attempts to sell them fraudulently (for example - perhaps without first settling an outstanding agreement). The registering party will be alerted that an HPI Check has been made and they should contact you within the next working day, please contact us if this is not the case. You should not purchase a vehicle that is recorded on this register, until you receive confirmation that it is all clear from either the registering party or us
I explained that the police may have removed the marker after confirming everything was fine from the stop. Is this a sensible conclusion? I also said that they shouldn't get too stressed about it as there are probably a lot of stops going on at this time of year due to drink driving crackdowns etc. Anything else it could have been or any other way to check?
Bigends said:
I'm not sure that patrolling officers would have access to the security register you describe. Depending on how long your friends had the car and whether or not the paperwork has reached the DVLA - their car may still be shown as 'in trade' - hence the questions.
exactly this,happened to my son when he got a new car..
Sounds like the car is on the PNC (Police national computer) as a vehicle used in recent crime.
Easy to sort if you're the new owner, go down to your local station and ask for it to be removed as you've now bought the car.
They may ask you a few questions about whom you've bought the car from, and then if they're happy, they can remove it from PNC.
Easy to sort if you're the new owner, go down to your local station and ask for it to be removed as you've now bought the car.
They may ask you a few questions about whom you've bought the car from, and then if they're happy, they can remove it from PNC.
BusaMK said:
They were let to go about their evening but without much of an explanation, but are now paranoid on the history of the car and whether there is a 'marker' against the plate.
Sounds to me like they never asked why they were stopped or didn't listen to what they were told. I can't beleive for a second they were pulled over and asked for their docs without any explanation as to why. Or if asked why they have been stopped no explanation given.
Bigends said:
I'm not sure that patrolling officers would have access to the security register you describe. Depending on how long your friends had the car and whether or not the paperwork has reached the DVLA - their car may still be shown as 'in trade' - hence the questions.
This is the correct answer. 'In trade' cars are regularly used in crime. DaveH23 said:
Sounds to me like they never asked why they were stopped or didn't listen to what they were told.
I can't beleive for a second they were pulled over and asked for their docs without any explanation as to why. Or if asked why they have been stopped no explanation given.
Remember..being stopped by Police would be quite an unfamiliar and uncomfortable experience for many, who wouldnt wish to question the reason for a stop and also may not take in what was being said at the timeI can't beleive for a second they were pulled over and asked for their docs without any explanation as to why. Or if asked why they have been stopped no explanation given.
Bigends said:
DaveH23 said:
Sounds to me like they never asked why they were stopped or didn't listen to what they were told.
I can't beleive for a second they were pulled over and asked for their docs without any explanation as to why. Or if asked why they have been stopped no explanation given.
Remember..being stopped by Police would be quite an unfamiliar and uncomfortable experience for many, who wouldnt wish to question the reason for a stop and also may not take in what was being said at the timeI can't beleive for a second they were pulled over and asked for their docs without any explanation as to why. Or if asked why they have been stopped no explanation given.
I have been pulled over twice in over 10 years and don't recall either being uncomfortable and I can still remember how both conversations went.
Probably not showing as insured on the databases if freshly bought .
I got stopped many years ago on the way from collecting a car that I had just bought .
They did a full check including the vin and chassis stamps and document check .
The car in question was an ex Thames Valley unmarked Granada 2.8i.
I got stopped many years ago on the way from collecting a car that I had just bought .
They did a full check including the vin and chassis stamps and document check .
The car in question was an ex Thames Valley unmarked Granada 2.8i.
Trevor555 said:
Sounds like the car is on the PNC (Police national computer) as a vehicle used in recent crime.
Easy to sort if you're the new owner, go down to your local station and ask for it to be removed as you've now bought the car.
They may ask you a few questions about whom you've bought the car from, and then if they're happy, they can remove it from PNC.
Easy to sort if you're the new owner, go down to your local station and ask for it to be removed as you've now bought the car.
They may ask you a few questions about whom you've bought the car from, and then if they're happy, they can remove it from PNC.
Any evidence to back up your assertions?
DaveH23 said:
I can't beleive for a second they were pulled over and asked for their docs without any explanation as to why. Or if asked why they have been stopped no explanation given.
My wife was stopped when coming home at 11PM after playing badminton. Police just said it was "routine" and got shirty when she pressed them.Trevor555 said:
16 years as a Police officer
Surely theyd have questioned them about the crime the marker was in place for wouldnt they if that was the case.If there is a marker in place - the stopping officer should be in touch with the officer placing the marker to to let them know that the vehicle now has a new owner and the marker can now be removed. Thats NOT down to the new keeper to do.
Bigends said:
Surely theyd have questioned them about the crime the marker was in place for wouldnt they if that was the case.
If there is a marker in place - the stopping officer should be in touch with the officer placing the marker to to let them know that the vehicle now has a new owner and the marker can now be removed. Thats NOT down to the new keeper to do.
If there is a marker in place - the stopping officer should be in touch with the officer placing the marker to to let them know that the vehicle now has a new owner and the marker can now be removed. Thats NOT down to the new keeper to do.
In an ideal world that would happen, but if the person gets stopped several times then going to the station themselves would sort it quicker. Maybe it has already been removed?
It might have been that the car just showed as "previous keeper only" on their database, but the OP said they asked lots of questions which would point to maybe a little more than just "not currently registered"
Anyhow, I was only trying to be helpful, I'll just crawl back under my stone. My first few posts on this forum, I'm getting the impression it's not such a friendly place.
Trevor555 said:
Anyhow, I was only trying to be helpful, I'll just crawl back under my stone. My first few posts on this forum, I'm getting the impression it's not such a friendly place.
There are some knowledgable people on this forum but there are also some who just think they are. It can be entertaining.
There are quite a few police/ ex- police too.
Plus a few solicitors/ barristers.
You'll work it out. Stick around.
Edited by Red 4 on Tuesday 12th December 23:14
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