granby Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 (edited) Received this email this morning Hi Ian I've just got off the phone to Darren, who's one of my researchers (it's 0:43 in the morning as I write this - they don't let me get any peace!) and he told me about a new discovery the team have made this week. Our source is a Police Constable whose name I won't mention to avoid him getting into trouble with his bosses. He has informed us about PCSO's being in charge of laser speed guns in the Kent area, and possibly across the rest of the UK. According to our source, these PCSO's are untrained in the use of the speed guns and because of this, their speed readings can not be used to directly prosecute motorists. HOWEVER... The speed measurements they collect and the "offending" cars registration numbers are stored on a central Intelligence Database which is accessed when a driver is stopped. Now, I will have a word with our specialist Solicitors in the morning about this (they will not be amused if I call them now :-) and ask them if this information could be used in any prosecution. I am 90% confident that it could not though. BUT... Our source says that it does indeed effect an Officers decision if they pull you over. In other words, if they pulled you over for, say, your headlight being broken, then they would access this Intelligence Database and this could effect how they deal with you. Even if the original reading was a load of rubbish, for a different car (mistake), or if someone else was driving your car! I must say that this sounds a bit dodgy to me, but I'd like to ask your opinion? Take the poll: http://btst.co.uk/poll5/ Thanks Ian. All the best, Adam Blair Founder, BeatTheSpeedTrap Edited April 10, 2009 by Granby
tony_cousins Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 Received this email this morning Hi Ian I've just got off the phone to Darren, who's one of my researchers (it's 0:43 in the morning as I write this - they don't let me get any peace!) and he told me about a new discovery the team have made this week. Our source is a Police Constable whose name I won't mention to avoid him getting into trouble with his bosses. He has informed us about PCSO's being in charge of laser speed guns in the Kent area, and possibly across the rest of the UK. According to our source, these PCSO's are untrained in the use of the speed guns and because of this, their speed readings can not be used to directly prosecute motorists. HOWEVER... The speed measurements they collect and the "offending" cars registration numbers are stored on a central Intelligence Database which is accessed when a driver is stopped. Now, I will have a word with our specialist Solicitors in the morning about this (they will not be amused if I call them now :-) and ask them if this information could be used in any prosecution. I am 90% confident that it could not though. BUT... Our source says that it does indeed effect an Officers decision if they pull you over. In other words, if they pulled you over for, say, your headlight being broken, then they would access this Intelligence Database and this could effect how they deal with you. Even if the original reading was a load of rubbish, for a different car (mistake), or if someone else was driving your car! I must say that this sounds a bit dodgy to me, but I'd like to ask your opinion? Take the poll: http://btst.co.uk/poll5/ Thanks Ian. All the best, Adam Blair Founder, BeatTheSpeedTrap Sorry to upset the boat but if they do indeed start to use them they WILL be trained and qualified just like a full time officer and will be able to use it in a court against you . It will be done to you to find out if they are qualified though Thames Valley have a training programe in place already so i would have though Kent will too. With such a money maker to be had im sure they will have every legal issue covered.
HairyDJ Posted April 14, 2009 Posted April 14, 2009 Doesn't sound any different to the civilian (official vigilantes) community speedwatch folk who already do this? These folk are Police controlled volunteers, and trained, who capture speed readings & registrations - data is then processed and you win a letter with a finger wagging enclosed. Regular "customers" are supposedly given further attention - unspecified, but maybe justification for a pukka Police monitoring session on your favourite road? http://www.speedorsafety.com/community-speed-watch/ http://www.kent.gov.uk/transport-and-stree...speed-watch.htm
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now