Bogus police in Worcestershire
Discussion
Watch out for a dark blue car, possibly Ford Escort with a blue light strip on roof.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/4209408.stm
Text follows.
Police are appealing for information after a driver handed over £50 to two bogus police officers who told him he was speeding in Worcestershire.
The motorist pulled over after being followed by what he thought was an unmarked car flashing its headlights on the Evesham bypass on 31 August.
The two male occupants implied they were police and said he was speeding and would have to pay a £50 fine.
The man offered to pay the fine on the spot and handed over the cash.
Both men were white, in their late 20s or early 30s, of average build, and clean shaven. The first is described as 6ft 1in to 6ft 2in tall, with short black hair. The second one was 6ft, with short blond hair.
They were dressed in white shirts and black trousers
The vehicle is described as a dark blue car, possibly a Ford Escort, which had a blue strip light on the top of it.
A police spokesperson said: "Police would advise anyone who has concerns that an officer is not genuine to keep their door locked, wind the window down and ask to see their warrant card or identification.
"If they are still concerned they are advised to acknowledge the officer and continue driving to a busy well-lit area or manned police station.
"Officers who give out on-the-spot fines do not require payment there and then."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/4209408.stm
Text follows.
Police are appealing for information after a driver handed over £50 to two bogus police officers who told him he was speeding in Worcestershire.
The motorist pulled over after being followed by what he thought was an unmarked car flashing its headlights on the Evesham bypass on 31 August.
The two male occupants implied they were police and said he was speeding and would have to pay a £50 fine.
The man offered to pay the fine on the spot and handed over the cash.
Both men were white, in their late 20s or early 30s, of average build, and clean shaven. The first is described as 6ft 1in to 6ft 2in tall, with short black hair. The second one was 6ft, with short blond hair.
They were dressed in white shirts and black trousers
The vehicle is described as a dark blue car, possibly a Ford Escort, which had a blue strip light on the top of it.
A police spokesperson said: "Police would advise anyone who has concerns that an officer is not genuine to keep their door locked, wind the window down and ask to see their warrant card or identification.
"If they are still concerned they are advised to acknowledge the officer and continue driving to a busy well-lit area or manned police station.
"Officers who give out on-the-spot fines do not require payment there and then."
Flat in Fifth said:But, and I've asked this before ... how does Joe Public know that a warrant card is genuine.
[ ... ]
A police spokesperson said: "Police would advise anyone who has concerns that an officer is not genuine to keep their door locked, wind the window down and ask to see their warrant card or identification.
And, if the officer cannot show his warrant card, what other form of identification would you accept? A VOSA ID, something purporting to be issued by the Security Services, a military ID?
Once again, the politicians have no concept of what error they write [Old English form] when they extend 'Stop' powers to other than officers in uniform.
Streaky
streaky said:
But, and I've asked this before ... how does Joe Public know that a warrant card is genuine.
In this case, the fact that the "Officers" were willing to accept an on-the-spot payment should have been a dead give-away.
Lock door, window up, boot down to the nearest cop-shop.
streaky said:
[ ... ]
A police spokesperson said: "Police would advise anyone who has concerns that an officer is not genuine to keep their door locked, wind the window down and ask to see their warrant card or identification.
But, and I've asked this before ... how does Joe Public know that a warrant card is genuine.
And, if the officer cannot show his warrant card, what other form of identification would you accept? A VOSA ID, something purporting to be issued by the Security Services, a military ID?
Once again, the politicians have no concept of what error they write [Old English form] when they extend 'Stop' powers to other than officers in uniform.
Streaky
Simple, don't stop unless officer is in uniform, or make your way to local police station.
If an officer in an unmarked car wants to stop you he or she will call for a marked unit, and that's it.
silverback mike said:Is that subject to regional variation? On a test drive of a 911 turbo with salesbot alongside we were stopped Starsky and Hutch stylee by a battered ford estate which overtook, cut me up and stopped abruptly at 45 degrees across my path. Two burly blokes got out at which point I hit the central locking and thought
If an officer in an unmarked car wants to stop you he or she will call for a marked unit, and that's it.
Turned out to be unmarked plod with plain clothes officers, they were 'asked' to push their warrant cards up to the glass in no uncertain terms, and with the engine running as I refused to switch off until seen. When peace was restored they excused their car jacking tactics by claiming the trade plate in the back window wasn't visible and they thought a new car had been nicked from a showroom. Yeah right ossifer!
turbobloke said:
If an officer in an unmarked car wants to stop you he or she will call for a marked unit, and that's it.
Is that subject to regional variation? On a test drive of a 911 turbo with salesbot alongside we were stopped Starsky and Hutch stylee by a battered ford estate which overtook, cut me up and stopped abruptly at 45 degrees across my path. Two burly blokes got out at which point I hit the central locking and thought
Turned out to be unmarked plod with plain clothes officers, they were 'asked' to push their warrant cards up to the glass in no uncertain terms, and with the engine running as I refused to switch off until seen. When peace was restored they excused their car jacking tactics by claiming the trade plate in the back window wasn't visible and they thought a new car had been nicked from a showroom. Yeah right ossifer!
No, not regional variation - They shouldn't have done it. It's easy to call for uniform assistance. I worked on an unmarked squad for a while and quite frankly if a car with a bunch of apes looking like us had asked me to stop I wouldn't have. I would however, have gone to the nearest station.
silverback mike said:SM - you miss the point. Various police forces [sorry, "services"] are granting powers to stop (in a trial for now) to VOSA officials. As you (SM) will know, the Police Reform Act 2002 allows Chief Constables to accredit VOSA staff with the power to stop goods and passenger vehicles (the forces taking part in the pilot scheme are Cambridgeshire, Greater Manchester, Metropolitan, North Wales, Nothumbria and Staffordshire - although it might now be up to some 30 police forces [sorry, "services"]).
[ ... ]
A police spokesperson said: "Police would advise anyone who has concerns that an officer is not genuine to keep their door locked, wind the window down and ask to see their warrant card or identification.
And, if the officer cannot show his warrant card, what other form of identification would you accept? A VOSA ID, something purporting to be issued by the Security Services, a military ID?
Once again, the politicians have no concept of what error they write [Old English form] when they extend 'Stop' powers to other than officers in uniform.
Streaky
If an officer in an unmarked car wants to stop you he or she will call for a marked unit, and that's it.
The vehicles used by VOSA are reportedly battenburg yellow/black to the sides, with yellow/orange chevrons rear-ends and an amber-light roof-bar with variable matrix signing (dead easy to reproduce ... and anyway, who else but a SP&L reader, road hauliers and a few others would know?).
I have seen it reported that VOSA officers wear a "national uniform similar to that worn by the Police" ... er ... WTF?
"Accredited persons" (e.g. VOSA officials) can be given the power of a constable to stop and direct traffic. Although they are not attested constables, they will have the power of a constable for that purpose.
VOSA Officers have the power of a constable to stop vehicles (albeit for certain specified purposes). Therefore, if you 'fail to stop' then you have committed an offence, just the same as if you failed to stop for a real police officer - the relevant offence appears to be: "Obstruction of an accredited officer" (Police Reform Act 2002).
BTW - the Police National Legal database states that the power to stop is also available to a traffic warden and any PCSO designated as a traffic warden ... in addition to constables [however, it didn't mention VOSA officials at the time of viewing].
And if you are wondering whether there is an offence of "Impersonating a VOSA official", it's covered under the RTA88 ("Impersonating a VOSA official"
and under the PR2002 ("Impersonating an accredited person". Streaky
streaky said:
Various police forces [sorry, "services"] are granting powers to stop (in a trial for now) to VOSA officials. As you (SM) will know, the Police Reform Act 2002 allows Chief Constables to accredit VOSA staff with the power to stop goods and passenger vehicles (the forces taking part in the pilot scheme are Cambridgeshire, Greater Manchester, Metropolitan, North Wales, Nothumbria and Staffordshire - although it might now be up to some 30 police forces [sorry, "services"]).
Don't know the full list but certainly VOSA are stopping in areas outside that listed above.
streaky said:
The vehicles used by VOSA are reportedly battenburg yellow/black to the sides, with yellow/orange chevrons rear-ends and an amber-light roof-bar with variable matrix signing (dead easy to reproduce ... and anyway, who else but a SP&L reader, road hauliers and a few others would know?).
Only ever seen Galaxies marked exactly as Streaky describes. Also on approach to organised stop & inspection points the driver will pass temporary signs warning of vehicle inspection point and a marked vehicle before encountering an official who will give the command to stop / enter the inspection area in the usual manner.
streaky said:
I have seen it reported that VOSA officers wear a "national uniform similar to that worn by the Police" ... er ... WTF?
Yes that is true, including the white cap traditionally associated with traffic ossifers. Looks like trafplod as you approach.
Streaky,
VOSA operators will not be operating in plain vehicles, so the point being, go to a police station if at all concerned and don't stop. Unless of course it means using common sense at an rta etc.
A vosa official if genuine will call us if there is a problem, so there will then be a marked police vehicle on scene.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Sunday 4th September 15:10
VOSA operators will not be operating in plain vehicles, so the point being, go to a police station if at all concerned and don't stop. Unless of course it means using common sense at an rta etc.
A vosa official if genuine will call us if there is a problem, so there will then be a marked police vehicle on scene.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Sunday 4th September 15:10
Also, you questioned if the officer doesn't have his warrant card, what id should you ask for.
Simple, he or she will have it. As you don't go out on patrol without it, it comes out with the asp, cs, stab vest and pocket note book. It has a picture, hologram and signature.
If you still doubt it, phone 999 and ask for police assistance as there is a bogus police officer stopping you.
Simple, he or she will have it. As you don't go out on patrol without it, it comes out with the asp, cs, stab vest and pocket note book. It has a picture, hologram and signature.
If you still doubt it, phone 999 and ask for police assistance as there is a bogus police officer stopping you.
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