Policing: Does anyone share our common sense?!

Was prompted to write a dedicated thread for this one, seeing as I just made a passing mention to it in a reply to Cloggsy in the Pennine section. It refers to the letter in the new MCN entitled 'New Police Tactics?'.

It details the rider's belief that he has witnessed new tactics employed by police in the Helmsley area using unmarked cars to bait bikers into racing/keeping up with them. He describes an odd series of events involving a Subaru Impreza which kept playing yoyo with him, shooting off when he got close, then (due to his suspicions making him stick to the limit) dropping back down 'til he caught up. Rinse and repeat. He even mentions them apparently (he does not categorcially state but it is implied) speed through a village. He says he then got close enough to see blue lights, a hi-vis jacket on the driver and a heads-up display of some sort in the car. Go check out the paper for the full thing.

I suppose I have 2 questions, both assuming his presumptions are correct and he is not mistaken.

1. How on earth can this be legal?! Surely a police force cannot actively pursue entrapment-like policies designed to bait bikers...do we have laws concerning this or am I getting confused with the US due to Hollywood stuff?

2. Opinions come in left, right and centre from bikers supporting, with qualification, plans to improve safety in all areas: Retesting, speed cameras in identifiable black spots as opposed to cash cows, police presence to catch non-speeding offences, advanced training. It seems we are at the forefront (barring the ******s who stunt through speed cameras of course) of accepting and even supporting sensible legislation in all manner of areas. We seem to offer common sense solutions, accepting that improvement needs to be made in some areas. If people like us with a little bit of nouse can see all this, why on earth does it appear that the proportional balance is not borne out by those with the power...where are the people like 'us' working for the system and how does intelligent, pragmatic debate get won over consistently by idiots?

Sigh...I hope the letter isn't true, but I wouldn't be surprised. Just wound me up that's all, felt like venting impotent frustration

[Bluepete]

Three letters answers the whole question;

MCN

I read it and found it a bit odd too. I won't say I don't believe it, but I can't imagine any circumstance where a traffic cop, authorised to use an Impreza would behave as described and then attempt to use the evidence collected to launch a prosecution.

I can understand what the rider writing the letter means (by your description, haven't read the paper). I was sat behind an evo a few weeks ago that was behaving in a similar manner, it wouls speed off then slow down and sit behind a row of cars before speeding off again. I thought it may have been a police car since I've heard rumours of the police having 'chavved up' evos undercover. But I then started looking at how he was driving and it wasn't exactly 'professional' so shot past as he was stuck in traffic.

I'd be bloody disgusted if that was the case, i agree with you both- that cant surely be a legal thing to use as evidence in busting someone??

Crazy

There's a few ropey traffic cops around. But they are the law
Maybe we should get videos on our bikes

good thinking batman

just out run the C8nts in traffic, easy to lose an Evo!!! go onto fast busy roads where bikes can get past and a car cant.

Also get a good enough lawyer and you can claim you were intimidated and fled for your own safty stating that you thought the driver was putting your life at risk (which they are really)

the coppers case would collapse in court.

but i have to say i like all copers i am married to one, so im a good boy and never race on the highway!!

Originally Posted by neio79

but i have to say i like all copers i am married to one, so im a good boy and never race on the highway!!

Does your other half know the pace involved on the North Wales ride?

Personally (and probably due to living in North Wales), I can spot marked police cars miles away (the other night in the dark I clocked one from around 800m away). Unmarked ones a little closer.

Yes, I've still been caught out being a little "cheeky" but I take that as a gamble I take daily.

At the end of the day, I'm in control of my vehicle, if I'm baited into racing on the public road, then get caught, my fault for being stupid.

Originally Posted by Baph

Does your other half know the pace involved on the North Wales ride?
.

No she thinks it was a nice gentle ride, not!! she knows what i get up to on the bike LOL

But i get my own back when i am in the car with her i am like, do you realse its a 30 and you are doing 32 etc etc really winds her up LOL

what would your collegues in traffic say?? ha ha

I remember years ago reading columns in the Sunday Express written by John Junor in which he had a similar story to tell, ie. police driving aggressively in order to provoke similar behaviour in civvy motorists. He claimed to have been bullied and intimidated by a police driver in an attempt to goad him into reacting.