Scamera Vans?

[st3v3]

This sounds like a very long shot, laughable idea so i'm looking for advice from sensible people here before I go and test it...

"Safety Camera Vans", these things manned by civilian staff.
According to some legislation I read when it comes to offences a Constable has authority to action what s/he deems lawful.

Now, last year when I inadvertently kicked off a public protest I was informed by a Constable that unless I was willing to walk away he would do me for a public order offence, I briefed the public order act with him and nobody would speak up and say my actions were impacting their quality of life etc so he conceeded I couldn't be done for it - Constables on duty are impartial and cannot have an opinion on it?

Anyhews part of this protest was informing motorists of certain things, I was then informed that if I stopped someone going about their lawful business; that was an offence, and regardless of anyone complaining he could do me, if I hassled a driver while stopped in traffic I was fine, if I stopped a car as a civilian I could be arrested for it.


So, this got me thinking, police staff are not constables and have no such powers, yet sit in these camera vans protecting kittens from bikers doing even 1mph over the limit on a rolling country road - under what powers? Because I might be wrong but if a police civilian staff (not a badged traffic cop or constable with powers) is sat in a camera van are they not:

1) impersonating Police
2) acting as a civilian and when someone slams on in seeing said van 'causing them to stop going about their lawful business'?

I have never been done for a speeding offence, this isn't some payback plan I'm just curious whether i'm over-hoping there's a loophole.
____________________
Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[SwartGevaar]

It's been done to death:

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=speed%20camera%20vans%20with%20civilian%20operators

TL;DR Civilian operators have all the authority they need.

EDIT:

Done here almost excatly a year ago https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=293831

[Minty]

[blueglue]

Nice little earner.

Generally a retired Officer collecting their pension and getting paid 20k to sit in a van going *pew* *pew* at drivers.

40k a year innit!

[Taught2BCauti...]

The civilian operators will be acting as agents, for the purpose of collecting evidence, which if obtained lawfully, may be used to prossecute offenders.

Police have a secret power known as 'the ways and means act' - piss them off a certain amount, and you will be taught a lesson. If nothing else comes to mind, you will more than likely be arrested for 'behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace' - which will probably amount to nothing in the long run, but still something best avoided.
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[st3v3]

[Keir]

generally the camera vans are fitted with fixed and calibrated cameras, the 'operator' does nothing but drive it there and stop anyone smashing it up of stealing it etc. The camera records the evidence, not the civilian, and then police send out NIPs to the car keepers afterwards.

I don't know about everywhere but here in Essex I cant remember the last time I saw a camera van, I heard a rumour they got sold off due to the budget cuts but obviously this wasn't publicised.
____________________
Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[T.C]

There are more than 1,600 non-police officers have been given enforcement powers by the Home Ofice under its so-called Community Safety Accreditation Schemes which was introduced in 2002.

Another 255 people have been given powers as Vehicle Operator Services Agency Inspectors, who are issued with the single power to stop vehicles for the purpose of testing

This also covers the enforcement and prosecution of speed limits but usually is operated by retired traffic cops as they are already trained, are familiar with the equipment and are also deemed experts.
____________________
It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next

[blueglue]

[berzerker]

[berzerker]

[Taught2BCauti...]

I once heard a story about someone who thought he was well within his rights, to stand behind a safety camera van, waving something in front of the camera as vehicles approached.

Police arrived and politely suggested that he move away, but he protested his 'rights' and was subsequently arrested and charged with obstructing Police and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It bet OP is planning to do something like that.
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[st3v3]

[groovylee]

lawful business.

if you are slamming on when you see the van, its because you're speeding.

so really, they're only stopping you going about your unlawful business
____________________
Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

[Nexus Icon]

[groovylee]

[iooi]

[Nexus Icon]

If it's any kind of indicator, I've never been done by a static camera or camera van.
____________________
Greetings from Shitsville!

[st3v3]

I'm not planning anything, I've never picked up a speeding ticket I just don't see how civilian staff in marked "Police" camera vans operating Police equipment that aren't warranted or sworn in can create lawfully risky situations where people do act out of fear and become dangers to other road users at the sight of a van placed in a convenient place which 90% of the time is placed there purely as a revenue earner.


I mean, I challenge anyone viewing this thread to upon seeing one, stop in a safe place and legally take a picture of a mobile safety camera van parked outside either a School, Hospital, or notorious residential accident blackspot.

Then, if we get a few, compare to the amount we can take where they're on country roads or dual carriageways..
____________________
Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[andyscooter]

[orac]

I am seriously thinking about learning to make small emp device just big enough to kill the cameras and the vans they are in. It will soon cost then to much to replace adj the parts that will need to be replaced
____________________
Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[st3v3]