7Nut Posted June 12, 2002 Share Posted June 12, 2002 Whilst driving along the A12 between the A414 and the Boreham junction (Tuesday), I noticed a Police van parked in a layby. Marked up like the back of those vans that hide the 'mobile' tripod cameras, it appeared to have cameras fitted above the two rear doors , the type that don't flash and take photo's of motorists approaching. Twas about 5pm so traffic was steady at around 50-60 mph so no concerns about speeding!!! Is this a new ploy I've not seen or heard of before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 These style vans are all over the place down here . No visible markings from the rear , just the rear window wound down with a camera poking through it . They had a biker at 155mph teeth.gif about 10 miles from my home a few weeks back . Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Isn't this in contravention of the new regs on cameras and signage - let alone painting them yellow! Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Birtwisle Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 I have seen that type of van in a layby at the M6/A74 interchange (if you can call it that). Have you noticed the new trend to use traffic cars painted silver rather than white and use a very low profile lightbar. When they come up behind you it is very difficult to read the POLICE sign on the bonnet and you can't identify it as a police car in your mirror until it is right up your chuffer. It's all a bit sneeky and a bit rude isn't it? Alex Edited by - abirtwisle on 13 Jun 2002 11:55:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino ferrana Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 I think that the new vans with two cameras are on the lookout for tax too! Bit of an arse when most of us have tax on the side of the car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 I understand that "mobile" units are exempt from the new guidlines - colour / ID etc etc . Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert939 Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 It could be the new ANPR system(automatic number plate recognition)looking for stolen cars or vehicles with no documents.This system is on use around here and does not deal with speeders. On another point Warwickshire Police publish details of where their mobile speed traps will be operating in the next few days. They do it on local radio and the local press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 The tax disc check does not check the disc itself - only makes a quick lookup of every car that passes against the central database at DVLA - otherwise it would be fooled by dirty windscreens, colour photocopies, incorrect location, etc.... I almost agree with tracking down the road tax evaders as most of them will be uninsured and in potentially dangerous cars (no MOT). However, I nearly fell into the trap as I moved the month before tax renewal and the reminder never arrived. It was a neighbour who pointed the expired disc out to me. Cheers, Graham Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino ferrana Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Ah of course Graham didn't think of that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Watson Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 I saw one of these things parked on a bridge over the M1 once. They were watching the traffic in my lane through the open side door, but were parked over the other lane - if you see what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade Ray Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 The police are operating a a transit van in Leamington Spa painted the same colour yellow as this forum. Although there are markings on the side of the van, there are none on the back. It seems to be mainly operating in the town, thats certainly where I have seen it on all occasions. It seems to be stopping all sorts of vehicles for speeding, tax disc issues as well as anything else it doesnt like the look of. I saw it recently stop a Ford Escort that was driving two cars infront of me. The only offence that I could see was that the Escort had the most dreadfully fitted body kit and blacked out windows on the side and back. As a general comment about speed cameras, I can see the situation arising that if the police are going to be restricted as to where they can place fixed speed cameras, they will (a) increase the use of these mobile vans and (b) seek to use lower 'trigger' speeds on the cameras they do have, ie you get done for doing 52mph in a 50 mph zone. Ade Make the world a better place, hug an estate agent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 The message should be clear. Speed and you will get caught sooner or later. We should lobby for more tracks to we can use our cars for recreational purposes more easily. I agree entirely with tracking down Tax, MOT and insurance evaders! They should be found out and made to pay. I don't necessarily agree with the way the money that comes from road Tax is used. Steve My racing pics hereid=red> Hants (North) and Berkshire area club site hereid=red> Edited by - stevefoster on 13 Jun 2002 13:43:29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Piper Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Stewart, Essex Police also publish details of their camera sites - can be found here....http://www.essexsafetycameras.co.uk/homeframe.html. No mention of the one on the A12. You do get a nice photo of the back of your car when you do trip one of these cameras though (black & white unfortunately).... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssexBoy Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Seven_Nut, I travel the area mentioned frequently and so far have clocked a unmarked Grey 530d BMW, Bright White Vauxhall Senator and two vans one red and one blue. The two vans are frequently on the road coming into Brentwood from the A12 Mountnessing turn off. As you drive past them you notice a camera on stands either still in the back or put in front of the van. The driver is normally looking frightened in the drivers seat hiding his face! When they first appeared in Brentwood they got a front page story in the Sun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 The DVLA operate one of their vans in and around Nottingham on an almost daily basis. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Perhaps we should create a new forum with daily updates of unmarked vehicles, mobile positions, fixed gatsos, SPECS etc. Is there anyway of putting some sort of database together Mr Site Manager? Highlighting the above, giving us a sporting chance against these spoilsports. People could update daily and everyone could check it out, prior to going for a blat. Could also have permanent links to Police Force sites that announce their weekly or daily intentions. Just a thought Cheers Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying kiwi Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 I saw one of these vans with Camera`s just above the rear doors on the A55 Tuesday this week, I thought at the time you b......s are getting very sneeky in deed. Kiwi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budjuggler Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Saw one outside Huntingdon on A14 (on race day) two weeks ago. R770 VOMid=green> Anniversary id=yellow> (with cycle wings) id=green> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WindyMiller Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Huntingdon racecourse, that's right on my doorstep and didn't know Cambs were playing that game! I've been told, believe it or not, that some forces are buying silver cars to boost resale value.Would you buy a high miler from them? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Yep, I would buy carefuly but they are very good VFM. I bought an ex police unmarked RS2000 about 4 years back now. It had done 90k miles and had been serviced every 10k miles by Ford. Cost me 4000UKP, it needed a good polish and a valet but other than that it ran sweet as a nut for another 40k miles, traded it in last year and got 2000UKP for it. Not bad. I have been reliably informed the best VFM ex police car is a motorway range rover, a good P reg one can be picked up for well under 10kUKP, the average market price for a high mileage P reg is about 12k... X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Birtwisle Posted June 14, 2002 Share Posted June 14, 2002 all of the policemen I know wouldn't touch an ex-police car with a very long pole (that had an extra long extension on it to make it longer!). They may be serviced regularly but those who drive them don't care for them - they are just a tool of the job - and thrashed to death. I bet a very high percentage have been involved in some kind of RTA in their time. About 10 years ago the west midlands police had a Masseratti Bi-Turbo for sale (or so I was told)..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Birtwisle Posted June 14, 2002 Share Posted June 14, 2002 back to the thread ............. there is an unmarked Red Vauxhall Corsa Y reg prowling the streets of Bromley/Croydon (that in London for those north of Watford Gap). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenEvans Posted June 14, 2002 Share Posted June 14, 2002 The lens sticking out of the van window could well have been the business end of an LTI20/20 laser speed measuring device, just like the one that caught me on an empty road early last year at a distance of about 400 yards. These are the most dangerous speed measuring devices aimed at the experienced, safe driver making progress on a quiet A road. I could write an essay here but will resist the temptation for today............ Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted June 14, 2002 Share Posted June 14, 2002 abirtwisle, you have mail. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Birtwisle Posted June 14, 2002 Share Posted June 14, 2002 so do you Simon me old fruit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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