robert.saunders
MB Enthusiast
I thought I’d post some ramblings on here about my shift with traffic police yesterday (1300-2300 shift). I’ll try and keep it informative but not too specific for obvious reasons.
Arrived at 1300, had a brief hello with the people I didn’t already know, and we had a quick look at cars available to take out. The PC that I was with had loads of paperwork to do, but put it off as I was with him, and he would catch up later. Most vehicles listed on the whiteboard were already out or off the road, due to being broken. There was a Range Rover or a Volvo T5 in the yard, alongside an unmarked BMW but that was due to have a hardware/software upgrade to the onboard computers so that was not an option (despite it being sat in the yard). The T5 was duly selected, an ’06 model, 75k miles and getting tired already. Colour very dark purple, almost black, fully marked up with blues etc. Apparently, slower than their previous T5s (on ‘05/’55 plates).
So, off we trot, and head to the A1M where we see a car towing a caravan, in a poor condition. It’s stopped, having different index on the ‘van to the car. Turns out the driver has no licence, no insurance, the ‘van isn’t in a great condition (non-working rear lights, made-up number-plate, no break-away cable etc). Both car and ‘van seized due to no insurance, and it’s removed to a pound for collection upon payment of fines. Driver reported for various offences too. Various upset and aggression directed at the PCs for doing nothing better with their work by family members who turned up as if by magic (does that give a clue as to the type of person who was stopped?!). Quite shocking really.
Then we head to the A47 and sit up out of sight, and immediately spot a van driver using their mobile phone. Pursuit engaged, van driver decides he can outrun the T5, decides after a few moments he can’t, he’s stopped. Pleads for a warning. Quite pathetic to watch really. £60 FPN and 3-points awarded, driver changes his tone, becomes really aggressive. Sent on his way, flea in ear. We head back to same spot, park up, BMW 3-series goes by, woman using phone. Set off after her, she is stopped, didn’t want to use her hands-free as her convertible was too noisy, so accepts the £60 FPN and 3-points rather reluctantly, and enquires why the PCs haven’t better things to do. Common feedback apparently.
Get call to attend a DIC (drunk in charge, I think) back in Peterborough, so it’s blues & twos all the way, amazing to see how many don’t see the T5 approaching, pulling out on it, speeds reached on attendance high-ish but nothing amazing, and we arrive to find a Sierra stoved into rear of a Citroen, side of road. Keeper lives a few doors away. PCs head in, and in a nutshell he is arrested, blows over 100 on the breathalyser. Witness details gathered, and van called for the DIC. Sierra driver was going to visit supermarket (all of 100 meters away and decides to drive there, but can’t get out of his parked spot without crashing). Head into station, he is booked in, prints and DNA taken, he blows another 102/100 and is sent to the cells, to wait for interview, this has now taken 2 hours of processing before heading back out. Much more paperwork to do later.
Grab sandwich, and bottle of water. Head out to car, see it’s picked up a nail in rear tyre. PC has to change it, leave damaged one for repair/replacement. One PC gets witness on phone, so we drop off for a statement re: the DIC, while me and other PC get the tyre changed and re-fuel. Collect the other PC and head off to a call for assistance for another non-insured driver, in a Mercedes no less. Turns out he has missed a monthly insurance payment and he gets it sorted – Traffic accept details presented and revoke impending seizure, and he’s on his way in his car with a FPN only, happy he has his motor.
It’s getting dark now, head to A1M for use of laser for speeders (it’s an area priority) and we park up on an overbridge/roundabout junction, side on, reflective battenburgs on view, on lit motorway, car lights on. Pretty conspicuous I think. Not there long, when 114mph is flagged up on the laser, it’s another Volvo! So we wait for it to pass and then dismount from position and head off in pursuit, attain 140mph to catch up and sit behind it for a mile or so at 115/120mph about ¼ mile behind. See enough, blues on and he’s pulled over. 23 year old male, girlfriend’s car. No insurance. Polish driving licence to be produced, and he is reported for various offences (plus other ‘things’ that I wasn’t allowed to know ) Car is seized. He has to arrange friend to collect him from service road adjacent to the motorway.
PCs get call from Sarge, can they do 2-3 hours overtime, as so short-staffed. I am offered to join them further but I decline as I am tired
Observations: relentless work; much aggression directed at them; people lie a lot; paperwork is horrendous; no tea or coffee consumed; lunch comprised 15 mins whilst doing paperwork, munching on a sandwich; doughnuts were available in the station and we all grabbed one before heading out; these guys drive supremely
Sorry for long post (I haven't listed everything, it would take too long!), just wanted to share it
Arrived at 1300, had a brief hello with the people I didn’t already know, and we had a quick look at cars available to take out. The PC that I was with had loads of paperwork to do, but put it off as I was with him, and he would catch up later. Most vehicles listed on the whiteboard were already out or off the road, due to being broken. There was a Range Rover or a Volvo T5 in the yard, alongside an unmarked BMW but that was due to have a hardware/software upgrade to the onboard computers so that was not an option (despite it being sat in the yard). The T5 was duly selected, an ’06 model, 75k miles and getting tired already. Colour very dark purple, almost black, fully marked up with blues etc. Apparently, slower than their previous T5s (on ‘05/’55 plates).
So, off we trot, and head to the A1M where we see a car towing a caravan, in a poor condition. It’s stopped, having different index on the ‘van to the car. Turns out the driver has no licence, no insurance, the ‘van isn’t in a great condition (non-working rear lights, made-up number-plate, no break-away cable etc). Both car and ‘van seized due to no insurance, and it’s removed to a pound for collection upon payment of fines. Driver reported for various offences too. Various upset and aggression directed at the PCs for doing nothing better with their work by family members who turned up as if by magic (does that give a clue as to the type of person who was stopped?!). Quite shocking really.
Then we head to the A47 and sit up out of sight, and immediately spot a van driver using their mobile phone. Pursuit engaged, van driver decides he can outrun the T5, decides after a few moments he can’t, he’s stopped. Pleads for a warning. Quite pathetic to watch really. £60 FPN and 3-points awarded, driver changes his tone, becomes really aggressive. Sent on his way, flea in ear. We head back to same spot, park up, BMW 3-series goes by, woman using phone. Set off after her, she is stopped, didn’t want to use her hands-free as her convertible was too noisy, so accepts the £60 FPN and 3-points rather reluctantly, and enquires why the PCs haven’t better things to do. Common feedback apparently.
Get call to attend a DIC (drunk in charge, I think) back in Peterborough, so it’s blues & twos all the way, amazing to see how many don’t see the T5 approaching, pulling out on it, speeds reached on attendance high-ish but nothing amazing, and we arrive to find a Sierra stoved into rear of a Citroen, side of road. Keeper lives a few doors away. PCs head in, and in a nutshell he is arrested, blows over 100 on the breathalyser. Witness details gathered, and van called for the DIC. Sierra driver was going to visit supermarket (all of 100 meters away and decides to drive there, but can’t get out of his parked spot without crashing). Head into station, he is booked in, prints and DNA taken, he blows another 102/100 and is sent to the cells, to wait for interview, this has now taken 2 hours of processing before heading back out. Much more paperwork to do later.
Grab sandwich, and bottle of water. Head out to car, see it’s picked up a nail in rear tyre. PC has to change it, leave damaged one for repair/replacement. One PC gets witness on phone, so we drop off for a statement re: the DIC, while me and other PC get the tyre changed and re-fuel. Collect the other PC and head off to a call for assistance for another non-insured driver, in a Mercedes no less. Turns out he has missed a monthly insurance payment and he gets it sorted – Traffic accept details presented and revoke impending seizure, and he’s on his way in his car with a FPN only, happy he has his motor.
It’s getting dark now, head to A1M for use of laser for speeders (it’s an area priority) and we park up on an overbridge/roundabout junction, side on, reflective battenburgs on view, on lit motorway, car lights on. Pretty conspicuous I think. Not there long, when 114mph is flagged up on the laser, it’s another Volvo! So we wait for it to pass and then dismount from position and head off in pursuit, attain 140mph to catch up and sit behind it for a mile or so at 115/120mph about ¼ mile behind. See enough, blues on and he’s pulled over. 23 year old male, girlfriend’s car. No insurance. Polish driving licence to be produced, and he is reported for various offences (plus other ‘things’ that I wasn’t allowed to know ) Car is seized. He has to arrange friend to collect him from service road adjacent to the motorway.
PCs get call from Sarge, can they do 2-3 hours overtime, as so short-staffed. I am offered to join them further but I decline as I am tired
Observations: relentless work; much aggression directed at them; people lie a lot; paperwork is horrendous; no tea or coffee consumed; lunch comprised 15 mins whilst doing paperwork, munching on a sandwich; doughnuts were available in the station and we all grabbed one before heading out; these guys drive supremely
Sorry for long post (I haven't listed everything, it would take too long!), just wanted to share it