South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

I have a serious problem with this issue of "Unmarked" and stated on another thread that any git/idiot etc can get those flashing radiator grill lights and two tones etc in Halfords, back street kit car shops or on-line
Even the lorries look like Xmas trees now and I thought only white/orange lights were allowed to show forward facing

So, if I ever see these radiator lights on a plain car in my mirrors I will continue to ride along in my normal safe manner. If it's the usual marked Volvo sort I would pull over - but not otherwise.
How do I know it's not someone bent on causing me a big problem, nicking my keys or whatever...

It would be very difficult to see if the driver's in uniform and I doubt they would overtake to show they are actual Police unless on the Motorway maybe, I rest my case and will not come quietly!

Going the other way. I rode from Exeter to Taunton on the M5 last monday and passed a panniered bmw which I think was white, I dunno cos it had more yellow and blue reflective patches on than the proper police bikes. There he was riding along complete with the reflective jacket and white helmet.

Mind you he had the car drivers slowing down until I went passed at my 'brisk' pace

A friend of mine is, on occasion, required to transport ‘high value’ loads.
The Police have advised, unofficially, not to stop for ‘ANY ’ vehicle other than an officially marked patrol car.
As stated before, because these light kits are available for any muppet to put on his vehicle and when hidden in a radiator grille, are not easy to spot when not turned on.

There has been a spate of high value loads / prestige cars / exotic motorcycles, being targeted by thieves.
They will stop a vehicle, request the driver to follow them, for the vehicle to be spot checked by the ministry of transport. They will have people waiting for them when they get there, the driver will then be bundled into another vehicle and taken out of the area and dropped off in the middle of nowhere, minus phone etc.
With trucks, sometimes they will put the driver into the dodgy police vehicle and take him straight to a drop off point, while another ‘officer’ drives his truck in the opposite direction.

The Police have said that this is becoming more and more of a problem, having accounts of trucks & loads disappearing for weeks, high performance/classic cars and bikes vanishing, never to be seen again. Bikes can be more desirable than cars in some cases as they are easier to transport in a van and the market abroad is not affected by left/right hand drive.

I would be less likely to stop for an un-marked police car, if in my view there was no reason for the pull.

Especially if I was riding this:

greyskull wrote:A friend of mine is, on occasion, required to transport ‘high value’ loads.
The Police have advised, unofficially, not to stop for ‘ANY ’ vehicle other than an officially marked patrol car.
As stated before, because these light kits are available for any muppet to put on his vehicle and when hidden in a radiator grille, are not easy to spot when not turned on.

There has been a spate of high value loads / prestige cars / exotic motorcycles, being targeted by thieves.
They will stop a vehicle, request the driver to follow them, for the vehicle to be spot checked by the ministry of transport. They will have people waiting for them when they get there, the driver will then be bundled into another vehicle and taken out of the area and dropped off in the middle of nowhere, minus phone etc.
With trucks, sometimes they will put the driver into the dodgy police vehicle and take him straight to a drop off point, while another ‘officer’ drives his truck in the opposite direction.

The Police have said that this is becoming more and more of a problem, having accounts of trucks & loads disappearing for weeks, high performance/classic cars and bikes vanishing, never to be seen again. Bikes can be more desirable than cars in some cases as they are easier to transport in a van and the market abroad is not affected by left/right hand drive.

I would be less likely to stop for an un-marked police car, if in my view there was no reason for the pull.

Especially if I was riding this:

That is a different issue.

In this case, the rider had pulled over to re-fuel, and that was the golden opportunity to bring the whole episode to an end.

Even in plain clothes, an officer can arrest you provided he produces his/her brief.

Yes, sorry for the confusion, I was responding to steveR3's post above.

[quote="SteveR3"]I have a serious problem with this issue of "Unmarked" and stated on another thread that any git/idiot etc can get those flashing radiator grill lights and two tones etc in Halfords, back street kit car shops or on-line
quote]


I have actually had this happen to me. Had a car following me at night, didnt think anything of it as was on the CG not going very fast. All of a sudden, blue lights come on behind the grill, I pull over, he shoots off past me. Cant remember what car it was but certainly wasnt a police car! Turned out my mate knew him from dockyard lol. I thought it was pretty funny at time, but can see serious side of it now!

Hope I'm not straying too far off the subject here but I have a few bikes - and I'd only stop outside the nearest Police Station if I had Blues & 2's behind! especially if I had a work of art like that MV
If that's your bike Greyskull and you need guaranteed "12 bore" security - let me know and I'll drop you a PM.

Out of curiosity I'd like to hear from anyone on-site that actually knows where you stand if you continue riding [in your usual lawfull & safe manner] and fail to stop for one of these Trojan Horses...

SteveR3 wrote:Hope I'm not straying too far off the subject here but I have a few bikes - and I'd only stop outside the nearest Police Station if I had Blues & 2's behind! especially if I had a work of art like that MV
If that's your bike Greyskull and you need guaranteed "12 bore" security - let me know and I'll drop you a PM.

Out of curiosity I'd like to hear from anyone on-site that actually knows where you stand if you continue riding [in your usual lawfull & safe manner] and fail to stop for one of these Trojan Horses...

No steve, not yet, it belongs to a friend of mine.

I believe 'Bat Fastard' is a policeman, perhaps he could advise.

Looks like Bat F is a daily visitor to this site -

but he's not prepared to respond to a Private Message sent days ago...

He will mate, its just he works shifts thats all and maybe he is doing a bit of research into the ans for you

SteveR3 wrote:Looks like Bat F is a daily visitor to this site -

but he's not prepared to respond to a Private Message sent days ago...

Wind ya neck in fella, Am I at your beck and call just cos u bang me a question?

Just cos my internerd connection is on doesnt mean Im on line. Theres several home pages on my puter and its not just me that uses it.
As for the incident, I havent even watched the footage yet. some of us arent online all the fecking time you know.

SteveR3,

U have a PM.

Bat Fastard wrote:
Wind ya neck in fella, Am I at your beck and call just cos u bang me a question?

Just cos my internerd connection is on doesnt mean Im on line. Theres several home pages on my puter and its not just me that uses it.
As for the incident, I havent even watched the footage yet. some of us arent online all the fecking time you know.

Yeah well get off feckin YouPorn mate and get with the game will ya

How are ya matey

How rude

Here's the word on the street guy's Zero tolerance policy! shoot to kill if you don't stop!

Don't say I didn't tell you

I dont think u would be criticised to much if u didnt pull over immediately (if u thought anything was suspect), as long as u stuck to posted limits and pulled over somewhere well lit and public ie a petrol station forecourt or drove to the nearest police station