A highways traffic vehicle (yellow and black squares livery) has taken to frequenting the well known and used car parks recently. Seems its a convenient place for them to wait for call outs on M4, A404M and probably M40. A patrol 4x4 approached this evening and shone a powerful searchlight from its roof along the length of the car park from the road before it came in. Very unnerving and intimidating - probably exactly the reaction they wanted. Not sure what the legal status of these patrols is. Are they manned by police? What powers do they have? Anyone know?
The highways officers have limited powers with regard to the control of traffic on A roads and motorways. However some of these officers are actually retired police officers and are employed because of their knowledge of main road safety,traffic control etc. This means that even tho they may have no authority over cars parked up near the main roads they can be very well connected, their control will have a direct link to the local police.
Tonight at , 2 police vans at dogging site on the Wirral. Be careful.
The above link says it all.
It belongs to a chav group that call themselves the dogging police and take great delight in shinning torches about and chasing people.
They browse the boards on this site for news on intended meets so be very careful when posting locations.
If you get any hassle from people in vehicles (we suspect Citoen Saxo types) then get the reg numbers and report them. If they are chasing people and giving them hassle then it's illegal.
The Highways Agency are there for their own titilation. In fact, they're only supposed to 'patrol' the trunk road and main A roads where they act as a 'support' for the police at accident scenes and all that.
They have no powers whatsoever, similarly, they have no responsibilities either. If you see them touring a dogging site, get the reg number of the vehicle and complain to the Highways Agency control.
I repeat they do have some limited powers regarding traffic, including the stopping of vehicles on motorways and certain A roads in England only - quoted from Highway code page 39. I know this because 1 of our truck drivers ignored them whilst driving with a mud flap hanging loose, they got the police to stop him in the end. Fortunately for him copper said that they only on the road 2 days and their 'powers' not clearly advertised' got the impression he did'nt like them either. We made sure all our drivers became aware of them. If the lay by is on 1 of their A roads then they will use it.
Hope this will clarify the situation. HATO's have no powers whatsoever, they cannot stop vehicles, they cant demand names address etc. They have no legal powers to detain people. they are only supposed to patrol A Roads and mainly the M,way. They cant even break the speed limit when called to an accident etc. They are civilian employees only.
Hope that helps.
HATO's can stop you on a motorway and some major A roads.
VOSA have powers to stop vehicles, HATOS have powers to direct traffic at the request of the police, rolling road blocks and lane closures etc.
Truth is, save for a bit of HGV enforcement on the part of VOSA they don't bother unless they're on a joint operation with the police, and it's the police that do the stopping. Neither VOSA or HATO's have any authority to exceed the speed limit. HATOS are just glorified cone dispensers. On some motorway networks they tried sending HATO's to minor accidents but gave that up when some people gave false details - no powers of arrest you see! If a HATO tries to stop you, which he probably won't, just put your foot down, they can't exceed the speed limit and if the cops stop you later on the fixed penalty is only £30 non endorsable. If however, they are implementing a road closure and you drive through then it's s driving without due care and attention. Given that they're likely to be closing off at the request of the police then this might just get plod's back up to.
This is getting silly! Highway Code page 39 section 108 in black and white
If a HATO wants to stop you they will where possible attract your attention by
Flashing amber lights usually from behind
Directing you to pull over to the side of the road by pointing and/or using left indicator
You MUST THEN PULLOVER AND STOP AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO DO SO
IT IS AN OFFENCE NOT TO COMPLY WITH THEIR DIRECTIONS
I think you may get done for more than speeding.
Can we stop this now and just read the Highway Code more often,just remember ignorance is no defence!
watch out for police on horse back at strathclyde park as locals are fed up with couple having sex out in the open so useing horses so that thay can reach secluded corners of the park and any doggers so high-visibillity over the next few comming weeks .
Be aware there is an increase in police activity in the Bristol area. Quite aggressive tactics being employed including video and shining torches into cars.
Was out in a certain picnic area last night with Sara looking at an old barn.(enough clues)? When in drives a 4x4 and decides to drive all around the parked cars with spotlights and rooflights was very helpfull as we were looking for our marbles at the must be very quiet for our boys in blue......unless you need I know when they say they are busy THEY ARE DOGGING.......BE WARNED
No, it's just the law carrying-out their policy on policing public sex environments.
Its much the same in Sussex ! At am plod arrives illuminating half the county, passes us all and makes a beeline for only couple shagging. The poor souls are asked a few questions and we all fear the worst to be next in line....but plod leaves ! Only to return 15 minutes later to the same couple again.....goes to prove our police have much the same drives and juices as we all do i suppose !
I have been made aware by a Police friend that the Alkrington Woods area North Manchester will be targeted over the next few weeks following a dramatic rise in the number of complaints received from local residents; it appears some have been rather 'too public' and may well have ruined the area for those who understand the meaning of discretion!
It's happening everywhere: Policing, that is.
"SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS" it's called.
Now coming into its third year in this county, and the police have announced that high-profile policing will continue to deter "anti-social behaviour".
Basically, the most well-known dogging and cruising sites will continue to have the attention that the town center doesn't get.....
Such events like:
Registered keepers of vehicles getting letters asking why the vehicle was parked at " a site known for sexual activity". (not good if its a company car) (or the wife/husbands)
Drivers being warned that their vehicle may be impounded under sec 59 police reform act (use for antisocial behaviour)
And uniformed officers asking single males why they walk in the park (it's ok if you're dragging a dog or woman along) (unless the dog craps and you don't pick it up) (don't know about the woman)
Thats must of been the sort of thing they were doing last night under the guise of "SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS"!!!!!
We were out in Nott's when they pulled in & done the usual drive round shining all the cars up!!!
Then they started to talk to the occupants of some cars...
When he got to ours we had another cpl who were friends of ours in there with us chatting as it was pouring with rain outside...
The normal questions were asked is it your car have you your driving license & doc's...
As he was checking us out the single guys were skulking away quick!!!
But the copper was such an agressive arse!!!
Giving it large & raising his voice to us saying you might think your only here chatting but "I know what your here for"!!!!
He even threatened to continue the conversation at the police station under the "voyeurism act"..
I suppose it did'nt help as we showed no fear!!!
As couples we're there together so letters home mean nothing at all as we have nothing to hide from each other..
I put a post in main forum, then though may be this a better place
Quite right to close it.... Flashin in front of woman and school kids is not on..... The arseholes spoil it for everyone
hi was at a certain site nr the a666 last night and was a few nice coupls there as you do pick a nice spot wait very Patiently was sat there a good few hours then hay presto as by magic just as it goes dark the old bill turn up in there bmw and once again spoils the least one good thing came out of it i got chatting to one of the regs up there (ford focus) and made a new friend so was happy with that.
if anyone was there last night i was the man in the van if you was next time just come say hi.
EEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW THE THOUGHT