A Woman Was Stopped By A Car With Blue Flashing Light

[ranworthbreeze]

A woman was stopped by a bogus car with blue flashing lights.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/lock_your_doors_close_your_windows_police_issue_advice_to_motorists_after_woman_was_approached_by_man_driving_car_with_blue_flashing_lights_near_norfolk_village_1_4871662

Regards

Alan

[Hylander]

That is quite worrying.      Obviously another nut on the loose.

[Jbx5]

A bit worrying as our daughter lives in East Harling

but as usual they new before us so she is on guard.

 

John 

[addicted]

While driving on the outskirts of Ely Christmas 2015 I stopped at a road junction behind another car and a man ran across in front  of my bonnet   I took little notice of him untill he tried to get in the front passenger door. Our car automatically locks  as you pull away so he was left on the outside looking in I drove off and reported it to the police as soon as I was able to pull in somewhere. I felt sure the man was of E. European extraction.  Our last 3 cars including this one have now all locked automatically but I've been driving in a locked car for the last 25 years at least as there has been scare stories of this ilk  going round for at least that long particularly in London where I used to  live.

 

 

Carole

 

 

.

[grendel]

many years back I was driving my transit in Dublin (old V4 transit parcel van) with the sliding doors open as it was a glorious day. as we turned onto a bridge a man leapt onto the passenger running board and asked if we had a plaster showing a bleeding wound, my passengers got the first aid kit and patched him up, as he left on the other side of the river he admitted he was grateful as he had been stabbed and our running board turned up just in time for him to get away. were we worried - not at all, the van was fully loaded both with vikings and weaponry.

[Viking23]

I once had a car with blue flashing lights pull up behind me, on the M42 I was driving a Vectra Sri, it looked very suspicious, even the uniforms looked real, I'd heard about hijacking etc  I thought I'm not hanging around here...  I was doing over 140 mph before I finally lost them lol..

Sorry, not a joking time.

 

Seriously it can be a real issue, anyone can import what ever coloured lights they want from the far east, if you use your phone, even when stationary to check with the Police, technically you are comitting an offence of using a mobile phone whilst in charge of a vehicle, stationary or not. 

Drive to a well lit area, or go directly to the nearest police station or petrol station with security cameras. 

Be discrete, get their reg no. Do Not get your mobile phone out and obviously snap away... tempting yes, but if they know you have evidence, what steps will they take to recover it? 

 

I used to work in Birmingham, one of my routes took me through Winston Green area, it was local knowledge to lock all doors and windows, but also when in a traffic queues to leave a very big gap in front, so if someone tried to smash a window, you could drive forward and snatch their arm off.

In the door panel, I keep a can of deicer all year round, just in case... if anything happened... first thing to hand officer. You can't justify having a can of mace, or a sawn off baseball bat lol.

[Gracie]

Thanks to Im indoors, I know self defence but I am only 5ft 4in (5ft 9 in heels lol) and 8 stone I still wouldn't fancy my chances against a 6ft, built like a brick shed man intent on doing me harm. If you are in fear of your life and you speed off or spray something in their eyes and you get it wrong, that it was in fact a genuine Police Officer, I would rather risk prosecution than rape or worse, like Richard we have a can of deicer and wouldn't think twice if I thought my children or me were in danger

Grace

[ranworthbreeze]

Maybe Stuart could give us an update or some advice?

Regards

Alan

[Wildfuzz]

This appears at this time to be an isolated incident, there have been similar in the past but nothing recently. Unless the vehicle is a bonefide emergency vehicle it is illegal to have blue lights fitted, several local youngsters fell foul of this when it was the rage to have LED`d fitted to the washer jets, with ice blue being a favorite.

It would be more usual for a fully liveried car to do a general stop, but we do have unmarked cars around and they obviously have the same powers, however the driver has to make it clear they are a police officer.

My advice if you are not sure would be to acknowledge the request to stop, but proceed to a public place or similar, the worst case is the officer would call in a fail to stop and follow. this often happens with elderly drivers and I have had several "pursuits" at under 20 mph.

Another aside is some of these new zenon and similar headlights can look very blue at night and can be misinterpreted as emergency vehicles coming up from behind. Common sense applies, I have yet to hear of anyone being prosecuted if failing to stop for the reasons given, if you are uncomfortable take all reasonable steps to stay safe in your vehicle, and if in doubt a 999 call.

 

Hope this helps

[Viking23]

Well in the spring, de-icer will be half price... stock up lol.

Make sure the cap will come off single handed, and know where the nozzle is aiming. Well you might get some ice on the screen and you need to be ready for it.

[Vaughan]

I have always understood that the only person entitled to stop a vehicle, in law, is a police officer in uniform.

When I was truck driving we were sometimes called in for a weigh bridge check. There would be all sorts of men from the Ministry in white coats but we were always actually pulled in by a "uniform" even if he then had to escort us a mile to the MOT weigh bridge.

Could Stuart confirm this, as it may be an important point for our ladies' peace of mind.

[Wildfuzz]

Norfolk Constabulary has now issued advice to motorists on what to do if they are in a similar situation and have clarified what their rights are.

Does an unmarked police car have the power to stop vehicles?

The answer is yes. But the officer must be wearing uniform in order to carry out the stop. The law states motorists have to stop for a police vehicle displaying blue lights; however, the officer must be readily identifiable as a police officer in uniform.

Do the police need a reason to stop me?

No, they don’t need a reason. The police have the power to stop any vehicle and ask for your name and date of birth and to see your driving licence, insurance and MoT documents. These can usually be shown later at a police station.

What if you are not sure if it is a real police officer?

If you do get pulled over but you are suspicious, lock your doors, close your windows and ask for the officer to show their identity. You can then call the police on 101 to confirm that identity; however, always dial 999 in an emergency. Do not drive off at great speed making the police think you are trying to get away.

[Viking23]

Just now, Vaughan said:

I have always understood that the only person entitled to stop a vehicle, in law, is a police officer in uniform.

When I was truck driving we were sometimes called in for a weigh bridge check. There would be all sorts of men from the Ministry in white coats but we were always actually pulled in ba "uniform" even if he then had to escort us a mile to the MOT weigh bridge.

Could Stuart confirm this, as it may be an important point for out ladies' peace of mind.

We watch Columbo a lot... even the Police don't recognise he is in the Police Department, what chance does Joe public have.

I must admit... blue lights do seem to get you through traffic quicker. 

I wonder what traffic would do if you had some pink ones lol...?

[ranworthbreeze]

Thank you Stuart for your replies, it is appreciated.

Regards

Alan

[grendel]

why is it then that a lot of foreign lorries have the front lit up like a blue christmas tree and are allowed to get away with it?

[Wildfuzz]

Just now, grendel said:

why is it then that a lot of foreign lorries have the front lit up like a blue christmas tree and are allowed to get away with it?

I think their are some differing laws for temporary visiting vehicles, but I always hated traffic law so don't quote me lol.

After 20 plus years of blue light runs I can say it is a very strange experience to see cars parting like the red sea in front of you, especially in urban areas. Now I only drive a desk and the closest I get to a blue light run is a trot up the corridor for the kettle!!!!

[Paladin]

2 hours ago, Wildfuzz said:

Norfolk Constabulary has now issued advice to motorists on what to do if they are in a similar situation and have clarified what their rights are.

Does an unmarked police car have the power to stop vehicles?

The answer is yes. But the officer must be wearing uniform in order to carry out the stop. ***The law states motorists have to stop for a police vehicle displaying blue lights***; however, the officer must be readily identifiable as a police officer in uniform.

 

Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 gives the powers of police to stop vehicles, which are:

(1)A person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road must stop the vehicle on being required to do so by a constable in uniform or a traffic officer.

(2)A person riding a cycle on a road must stop the cycle on being required to do so by a constable in uniform or a traffic officer.

(3)If a person fails to comply with this section he is guilty of an offence.

I am unaware of any legislation that requires  a motorist to stop for a police vehicle displaying blue lights, but am eager to learn. Which Act and section imposes that specific requirement, please?

[Wildfuzz]

Hmmmmmm...... looking into it

[MauriceMynah]

27 minutes ago, Paladin said:

***The law states motorists have to stop for a police vehicle displaying blue lights***;

 

27 minutes ago, Paladin said:

A person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road must stop the vehicle on being required to do so by a constable in uniform or a traffic officer.

Is the first not indicative of the second?

 

Nice to see you back posting Pally.

[Vaughan]

2 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

Is the first not indicative of the second?

Exactly.

But the "stop" must be enforced by an officer in uniform, who presumably "gets out of vehicle and dons helmet".

"Good evening sir. And who do we think we are then - Nigel Mansell?"

[MauriceMynah]

Or in My case... "Good evening John... you prat."

[Paladin]

10 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

 

Is the first not indicative of the second?

 

No It isn't, MM.

In your rear view mirror, you see a vehicle approaching, displaying flashing blue lights. Is it a Police, Fire or Ambulance vehicle. My first instinct is not to impeded its progress. As the vehicle gets closer, you then see that it's a Police vehicle. Following the advice that has been given, you must then stop.

Not so! It might simply be on an urgent call.

If there is a Police officer in uniform in the car, who indicates to you that he wants you to stop, then and only then, must you stop. Yes, perhaps that is pedantic, but where advice on the law is given by a representative of the constabulary, I expect it to be accurate. The statement was " The law states motorists have to stop for a police vehicle displaying blue lights." I simply want to know the text of that 'law'.

[Vaughan]

11 minutes ago, Paladin said:

The statement was " The law states motorists have to stop for a police vehicle displaying blue lights." I simply want to know the text of that 'law'.

As I see it, you are only going to be pulled in by a police vehicle if there is some kind of offence involved. A routine check of documents will normally involve a policeman standing at the side of the road and waving you into a suitable lay-by. I would have thought (from long experience of being stopped) that it will be bleedin' obvious if a police car wants to pull you in!

 

Edited February 2, 2017 by Vaughan
forum spell checker!

[MauriceMynah]

Ok, I take your point Pally. Yes, of course the officer must indicate that he/she wants you to stop, I rather think Wildfuzz took that bit as read.

I suspect that he was really just giving a simplified version of the law to reduce worries that some may have over bogus policemen.

Either that or the law has (once again) been written so badly as to be ambiguous. We both know that can happen  

[Paladin]

MM, as the incident from which this thread stems relates to a female motorist being stopped by a seemingly bogus officer, to issue OFFICIAL advice (and as far as I can determine, totally incorrect advice) that the law requires a motorist to stop for a police vehicle displaying blue lights is, IMO, at best irresponsible and, at worst, downright dangerous. The law, as I have quoted it, is entirely unambiguous. The legal requirement to stop relates to the officer, not to the vehicle or whatever lights it may be displaying.

Wildfuzz has simply repeated what  a 'police spokesman' has told the Press, probably the same spokesman that told the Press a while back that the people setting off fireworks/flares on the Broads were committing no offence!

I generally ignore the poor information and advice that pops up on this forum, but, in this case, someone could be put in severe danger.

Having made my point. I will now return to my silent, head-shaking mode.