Topic: Guide to spotting unmarked Cop Cars! (Read 2905 times)

ClubCalibra · « **on:** May 09, 2006, 20:22:32 PM »

Guide to Detecting Unmarked CopCars!

The police are getting wise; no longer do they just patrol the highways and byways in large white cars with lights on the roof and stickers on the side - nearly all of the UK's police forces have a range of normal-looking unmarked police cars. I've heard of tales about people being nicked for speeding by two police officers in a modified VW Golf GTi or Ford Escort Cosworth - even a black cab! Whereas I don't condone speeding, with the increasing number of Gatso cameras appearing on Britain's roads, this page attempts to help readdress the balance.

The list below is a collection of observations by friends, colleagues, and myself. Please note: I do not condone speeding; everyone's done it, but it is dangerous. Speed limits are set for safety reasons, and this guide isn't meant to encourage anyone to exceed the speed limit!

Two rearview mirrors. Marked and unmarked police cars have a second rearview mirror for the passenger officer.

Wheels without wheeltrims or hubcaps. Apparently, this is because they might become loose and then fly off during high speed pursuit and cause third-party damage. Or even injure someone. I don't fancy being hit with a hubcap that's been launched from a car doing 60mph+!

More than one aerial. Okay, so many people have aerials for their radio and mobile phone mounted externally, but the police cars definitely have at least two.

Two people in the car. Most unmarked cars are staffed by pairs of police officers. In today's environment of single-occupant cars, this can be quite noticeable.

Strange protrusions in or outside the car. The video camera will either be suspended under the inside rearview mirror, or in a lump on the front dashboard.

Extra lights on the bumper, boot, or behind the front grille. All very well and good, but if you're close enough to see these, you're probably already in trouble!

A large 'box' on the rear parcel shelf. This is the width of the parcel shelf and about 10cm tall (i.e. a long, flat box). If the car is going to pull you over, they overtake and then the centre section of this box flips up with a 'stop police' illuminated sign in it.

Sequential number plates. Police forces normally buy their cars in bulk, so the registration numbers are concurrent. In your own area, try and memorize the numberplate patterns and you can spot the 'unmarkeds'. This is of limited use at a distance but it can help you at lights or whilst overtaking, though.

Other possibilities: No tow bars, GB stickers or dealer window stickers. Not a complete absence of stickers though. I know several unmarked cars around my area sporting local radio station stickers and other similar items in their windows. Smaller aerials fitted to the bumpers rather than on the roof or rear window

dicky · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2006, 22:11:35 PM »

They also have Blank number plates, no dealer marks.

I saw an omega on the motorway once which had two arials, a rear parcel shelf box and no number plate markings. The guy was also wering the white shirt with the black shoulder things so I knew he was a cop so I was a bit more cautios.

The saw an Audi A4 shoot past and the Omega went after him and pulled him over.

ruffday · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2006, 22:14:58 PM »

Most unmarked cars do have markings on the plates now as people sussed it out.

ClubCalibra · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2006, 22:19:50 PM »

What sort of markings? Any pics?

J@zV6 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2006, 20:49:00 PM »

Quote from: Ash on May 09, 2006, 20:22:32 PM

Guide to Detecting Unmarked CopCars!

Two people in the car. Most unmarked cars are staffed by pairs of police officers. In today's environment of single-occupant cars, this can be quite noticeable.

Not always true. Remember the unmarked Subaru Imprezza that drove into the middle of our 'circled wagons' at the camp in Dalesbridge, after he spotted Laura speeding on the A66..? He was on his own, but in full uniform.

ClubCalibra · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2006, 19:18:41 PM »

Quote

Remember the unmarked Subaru Imprezza that drove into the middle of our 'circled wagons' at the camp in Dalesbridge, after he spotted Laura speeding on the A66..? He was on his own, but in full uniform.

Yeah I do remember that!!!! What a mad experience! J@z do you still have the pics from that and other events? Could you zip them all up and end them to me - want to get this Gallery sorted and no ones contributing any pics!!

J@zV6 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2006, 19:34:21 PM »

Quote from: Ash on August 11, 2006, 19:18:41 PM

Quote
Remember the unmarked Subaru Imprezza that drove into the middle of our 'circled wagons' at the camp in Dalesbridge, after he spotted Laura speeding on the A66..? He was on his own, but in full uniform.

Yeah I do remember that!!!! What a mad experience! J@z do you still have the pics from that and other events? Could you zip them all up and end them to me - want to get this Gallery sorted and no ones contributing any pics!!

I will upload the pics, but I don't want to create the galleries under my own username. I'm happy to upload them directly to sub-folders under the Calibra special events gallery, including one for the Dalesbridge/Blackpool w/e.

I don't think that I have the necessary authorities to create new folders in the general galleries. I sent you a list of events that I have pics for on 28 June and have been waiting for the folders to appear so that I could start uploading the images. If you want me to resend the e-mail I will. Or perhaps you can give me limited privileges to create the albums...

willcalibra · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2006, 20:46:43 PM »

the local poice in north wales have put security fencing up that you cant see into their vehicle compound now because all their cars were parked in full sight, havent seen the cars recently but the had a beaut of a vectra black with spoilers, big alloys, lovely car, have seen it in the past scare the c**p out of unsuspecting speeders.

willcalibra · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2006, 21:00:36 PM »

also in shropshire I saw an unmarked maroon hyundai pony with blue lights in the grille pull over a car, I thought have the police been screwed on their budget this year or what. That was a couple of years ago so they might have learned their lesson, crap cars dont catch criminals, imagine if that hyundai was chasing a stolen lada riva it would look like a benny hill sketch without the fit women.....

JJ · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2006, 21:35:36 PM »

well,i've lost count of the amount of umarked Bmw 5 series,vox omegas,ford mondeos etc in the poole/bournemouth area,they stand out like a sore thumb

willcalibra · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2006, 21:46:35 PM »

is that cos they are white with blue lights on top

.

Have the marked cops in your area started to get silver focus, all the ones in N wales are silver I recon they must have a discount on ex rep cars,

JJ · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2006, 22:38:39 PM »

Quote from: willcalibra on August 31, 2006, 21:46:35 PM

is that cos they are white with blue lights on top .

Have the marked cops in your area started to get silver focus, all the ones in N wales are silver I recon they must have a discount on ex rep cars,

nah,they've started to put blue leds on the rear lights lol,plus teh fact that they've normally got 3 aerials on teh roof kinda gives em away as well..

willcalibra · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2006, 22:42:50 PM »

drive past a little chef and you will see all the unmarked cops in the area, they are the ones parked next to the panda cars.

lol

Salem · « **Reply #13 on:** September 09, 2006, 07:31:08 AM »

currently operating out of darbys corner station (poole dorset but covers m27 area as far as southampton and west as far as dorchester) in addition to the unmarked bmw's etc are :- an old beige avenger (i kid you not) - a dark blue r reg v70 volvo saloon - an L reg white cavy 16v sri saloon - a 52 plate black and grey honda fireblade and a dark blue k100 bmw motorcycle.

I thought it was a wind up when i saw the avenger but apparently they park it at the side of the road and hide behind it with a speed camera

This is my first post here by the way so LO ALL!!!

S

scaramanga · « **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2007, 07:57:52 AM »

up here they have a skoda superb "yes i said skoda" also got 5 mondy STs so watch out if your coming up to bonnie scotland as they are always patroling up and down the M74

.:Mondo:. · « **Reply #15 on:** January 31, 2007, 09:06:38 AM »

Quote from: willcalibra on August 31, 2006, 21:46:35 PM

is that cos they are white with blue lights on top .

Have the marked cops in your area started to get silver focus, all the ones in N wales are silver I recon they must have a discount on ex rep cars,

The police (as far as I know) are now going for silver cars as white ones are apparently more difficult to sell than any other colour! Bizarre but true!!!

J@zV6 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2007, 12:54:04 PM »

Quote from: Salem on September 09, 2006, 07:31:08 AM

...an old beige avenger (i kid you not)
I thought it was a wind up when i saw the avenger but apparently they park it at the side of the road and hide behind it with a speed camera

I should have thought that this might count as 'entrapment'. I understood that the purpose of speed cameras was supposed to be 'deterrence', not 'revenue generation'. This is why speed cameras are now supposed to be painted in high visibility colours and not 'hidden' behind other road signs, or vegetation. The rules appear to be rather more vague for mobile cameras, but there are at least supposed to be 'speed camera' warning signs.

If the camera is 'hidden' behind an Avenger, or anything else, it is not acting as a 'deterrent', it can only be intended to catch as many drivers as possible... It might even be grounds for contesting a penalty, although I wouldn't fancy your chances; it probably isn't worth it unless you risk losing your licence under the 'totting up' rule!

calibra1979 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2007, 20:58:34 PM »

After speaking to a copper it is true that silver cars are more valuble in resale than the white ones

Ibster · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2007, 23:28:50 PM »

Quote from: scaramanga on January 31, 2007, 07:57:52 AM

up here they have a skoda superb "yes i said skoda" also got 5 mondy STs so watch out if your coming up to bonnie scotland as they are always patroling up and down the M74

here m8,

you wanna see the DB9 they got from Kirkaldy to StAndys (unmarked too)

& yes, silver cars do have a higher resale value plus they blend in more with the surroundings ( yes even with all the decals ).

Kujoy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2007, 23:36:29 PM »

Anyone seen the VOSA enforcement vans? OK so they stand out like a sore thumb being covered in big green and yellow squares. Seen one hanging around scarborough the last few days. I didnt even know they existed. I always thought road law enforcement was done by the police for all offences.

Author Topic: Guide to spotting unmarked Cop Cars! (Read 2905 times)

willcalibra

willcalibra

JJ

willcalibra

JJ

willcalibra

scaramanga

calibra1979

Ibster