Police on M40 bridge near J6/5 with speed guns

[mattski]

Anyone know why they would spend the entire day there, is there really nothing more urgent? I went north about 2:30 and came back about 5:30 and they were still there with speed guns, no high-viz jackets.

One question, on the way back everyone was making 'good progress', easily around 90mph. In these circumstances, what's the procedure? Just randomly pick someone or accept that it is the average speed of traffic? Also, anyone know what guns they would use and what range they have?

Matt

[RodentRacing]

Do they target oncoming cars? If so you could get as close as possible to the car in front. Et voila they can't see enough of you to aim the laser at.

[mattski]

I think they do both directions... interestingly, the never had high-viz jackets on and according to ACPO guidelines 'the operator must be clearly visible to the public and the target vehcile throughout the check' (because they can look like firearms)

[oldbanger]

Could it have been an ANPR van?

[corozin]

I doubt it was a speed check. They're probably using long lens photography to prosecute truckers for smoking whilst driving or something other serious crime.

[JustinP1]

mattski said:

One question, on the way back everyone was making 'good progress', easily around 90mph. In these circumstances, what's the procedure?...

I think the operators are instructed to research the origins of the saying 'Shooting fish in a barrel'.

[TheCarpetCleaner]

corozin said:

I doubt it was a speed check. They're probably using long lens photography to prosecute truckers for smoking whilst driving or something other serious crime.

[mattski]

TheCarpetCleaner said:

corozin said:

I doubt it was a speed check. They're probably using long lens photography to prosecute truckers for smoking whilst driving or something other serious crime.

if only!

[twister]

How certain are you of the location? There's a bridge between J4 and J5 which has what appears to be two uniformed figures standing in the middle looking at both carriageways, but they're always there, and always in the exact same position which leads me to think they're actually just dummies...

[mattski]

come to think of it, yes, two officers in the middle of the bridge, went that way today and they were in the same place. It's actually between J4 and 5 as you said, there are two bridges near each other and they're always on one of them, I think it's near Wheeler End or Lane End, zoom in on the following map; it's the only place I can see with the bridges next to each other...

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=51.628567,-0.837879&spn=0.067985,0.151234&z=13&om=1&msid=115962149760802329940.00043c755d99476201bc5 

Does this sound like the place you were thinking of?

Edited by mattski on Sunday 14th October 16:31

[twister]

mattski said:

Does this sound like the place you were thinking of?

It's exactly the spot I was thinking of, yes...

[Marcellus]

That bridge is about half a mile away from me and isn't a car or pedestrian bridge....it's to take a pipe (gas or water I think) over and on top if it there are some very large tap type things could it be those that you're seeing...for about the last 4 weeks there have been workmen digging all around it so perhaps it's the workmen having a fag (probably suggests it's not gas).

If I get time when it's light tomorrow I'll take a photo and post it up..

[mattski]

thanks guys, a photo would be super - will at least clarify what's what...

oh, and if it's a tap, I'll 'get me coat' :-)

Edited by mattski on Sunday 14th October 21:15

[twister]

Marcellus said:

That bridge is about half a mile away from me and isn't a car or pedestrian bridge....it's to take a pipe (gas or water I think) over and on top if it there are some very large tap type things could it be those that you're seeing...for about the last 4 weeks there have been workmen digging all around it so perhaps it's the workmen having a fag (probably suggests it's not gas).

Whatever they are, they've been there for a lot longer than 4 weeks - last time I drove that bit of the M40 was something like 3 months ago, and they were there then. Taps/valves are a possibility, though the resemblance to a pair of human figures wearing peaked caps is quite striking looking up at them from road level - if you don't get the chance to pass by there in the next few days, I might take a lunchtime drive by and have another look for myself now that I'm back at work in the area.

[mattski]

if anyone's not sure of what bridge we're talking about, check out the link below for the map and here are some pics...

Edited by mattski on Monday 15th October 13:04

[Sheriff JWPepper]

Great thread.

[mattski]

it's not that we were all 'pressing on' and are a bit worried about the peaked-cap'd heroes/pipes/taps at all, nothing like that whatsoever... !

[Blue Burner]

Sheriff JWPepper said:

Great thread.

Yeah but it does look like cops in peaked riding hats that I first noticed over a year ago.....always slow down at that point as a consequence yet southbound the M40 is a great slightly curved section of motorway that just beckons you. I for one would love to know the answer but in any event I have seen someone pulled by an unmarked car close to that area before now so as always I will be careful.

[mattski]

I saw someone pulled on the northbound carriageway by an unmaked red/maroon Skoda Octavia - definately worth being careful around there. I'd be interested in hearing from the bib what the usual story is when the traffic is generally 'pressing on'?

[mattski]

any update on this guys?