Spotted - convoy on M4

[DanL]

The other day I saw something, and I was wondering if the resident BiB can shed some light on it. I was heading into London on the M4, when I saw a police bike with blues and twos belting the other way.

... then another one.

... then three in formation, followed by two blacked out Range Rovers (with blues in the grill), followed in turn by a police van bringing up the rear.

Any idea what this was for? Have I seen the Queen heading out to Windsor?

Dan

[YarisSi]

No
She has 3 bikes up front, bentley, 2 Range Rovers, Mini-Van and few more bikes

[tvrforever]

have seen a few similar on the Northbound side of the A34 between newbury & Oxford recently, only difference being instead of range rovers they were sealed army style trucks but lots & lots of police bikes, RR up front and another behind (loads of comms kit on roof). With police bikes following about 1 mile behind as well...

[towman]

YarisSi said:

No She has 3 bikes up front, bentley, 2 Range Rovers, Mini-Van and few more bikes

PMSL. Love the idea of Her Maj cruising in a minivan - hope its a 1275 with carlos fandango wheels!

[towman]

tvrforever said:

have seen a few similar on the Northbound side of the A34 between newbury & Oxford recently, only difference being instead of range rovers they were sealed army style trucks but lots & lots of police bikes, RR up front and another behind (loads of comms kit on roof). With police bikes following about 1 mile behind as well...

Brunstrom`s idea of a "softly softly" approach!

[Tonyrec]

This would be the SEG (Special Escort Group).

They do the 'Royal and Diplomatic' runs and Cat A prisoner runs. In this example it sounded like the latter.

[Plotloss]

Is it the SEG that do the bullion runs to and from the airport?

[Tonyrec]

Yes it is.

We as Trafpol sometimes work with them when theres a State visit. In fact, they get Trafpols from around the Country who can ride a bike.

The SEG are formed by Trafpols. Two lads from my Garage joined them recently and threw their pens away for good.

[tvrforever]

Do they get any special powers or training etc?

[Tonyrec]

tvrforever said:

Do they get any special powers or training etc?

No special powers but they are Firearms/close protection trained.

They are tested to make sure that they can do Convoys etc and there are a few other quirky bits and pieces to put them on a higher level than a mere Trafpol

[Streetcop]

The early days of the Special Escort Group

[gone]

tvrforever said:

Do they get any special powers or training etc?

Complete exemption from every rule whilst on donut runs

[mybrainhurts]

No, no, no....it was the station doughnut run.....

[Tonyrec]

Dont forget the matching index plates and the "one, two, three, engines off gentleman routine".

[Plotloss]

Tonyrec said:

Yes it is. We as Trafpol sometimes work with them when theres a State visit. In fact, they get Trafpols from around the Country who can ride a bike. The SEG are formed by Trafpols. Two lads from my Garage joined them recently and threw their pens away for good.

I only ask as a friend of mine started in Z division (dont know if division is the right word) and he told me a story about coming into work an being greeted by a few chaps with an almost comedic amount of weaponry on them...

[Tonyrec]

If they were on Bikes and driving cars with the lettering on the tyres all coloured in gold, then thats them

[ca092003]

Tonyrec said:

tvrforever said: Do they get any special powers or training etc? No special powers but they are Firearms/close protection trained. They are tested to make sure that they can do Convoys etc and there are a few other quirky bits and pieces to put them on a higher level than a mere Trafpol

Like?

[tvrforever]

Z division?

[Plotloss]

tvrforever said:

Z division?

It basically means the coppers attached to Heathrow.

All the divisions/areas/whatever used to have letters. I think D was Slough...

[Tonyrec]

We as Trafpols are used to doing Convoys with HGVs etc, they dignitories and as a result have to eat with a knife and a fork.