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[Vamps]

Long story short. Saw a car pulled over by a plain clothes police car, had two alternating red lights in the back window and a single rear facing blue flashing light. Not sure what on the front and nothing showing. Thing is this car was only small, perhaps a Golf and swmbo said that she would not have stopped for that car, she expects a police car to be big.
Now I have heard different stories, do you HAVE to stop for an unmarked car, big or small? It is my understanding that you do not have to, but this is not the impression the likes of ‘Road Wars’ gives. I have also heard that you do not have to stop, but should acknowledge that you have seen them and drive to a very public place / police station.

[Danny]

if it has blue lights in it, you should assume its a genuine emergency vehicle, even if not necessarily police,  i think the best thing to do is pull over safely and remain in your vehicle until the occupants approach and show ID

we have unmarked focuses, audi A3s and even a zafira in this area

if you take a while to stop i'm sure the explanation of "not 100% certain it was a police car" cant be completely ignored especially if the officer isn't in any police uniform and driving a not so typical looking vehicle

[Entwood]

I believe the answer is here ??

http://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q587.htm

HTH

 

[Jay w]

Long story short. Saw a car pulled over by a plain clothes police car, had two alternating red lights in the back window and a single rear facing blue flashing light. Not sure what on the front and nothing showing. Thing is this car was only small, perhaps a Golf and swmbo said that she would not have stopped for that car, she expects a police car to be big.
Now I have heard different stories, do you HAVE to stop for an unmarked car, big or small? It is my understanding that you do not have to, but this is not the impression the likes of ‘Road Wars’ gives. I have also heard that you do not have to stop, but should acknowledge that you have seen them and drive to a very public place / police station.

i have been in this situation many years ago, i had an unmarked car try to stop me, i just drove to the nearest police station, copper wasn't not happy in my refusal to stop but it was late at night and all i could se was two shadows in the car, when i explained it like that he calmed down a lot.

Bruicie is going to be the best person to answer this i would have thought

[hotel21]

I believe the answer is here ??

http://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q587.htm

HTH

 

What this chap says works for me.....    

If in doubt (of a plain car, not a break off Battenburg example!) you should not get grief if you drive properly to the nearest Police Office.

We deal with high value load type vehicles stops (cash/security type vehicles) where the driver simply holds up a card at the window advising us that he will drive to a Police Office and not stop on a motorway, quiet side road or whatever.....

[Vamps]

I believe the answer is here ??

http://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q587.htm

HTH

 

Thanks Entwood, a mind of useful information tonight, are you after Deb's job.
Just discussed with swmbo

[hotel21]

.... and its the Police Officer in uniform who stops vehicles, not the car he/she is in at the time, be it marked or unmarked.

Tales of CID / plain clothes types holding warrant cards up at car windows, whilst doing diddlydump miles per hour, is the stuff of legend and simply does not hold water.....

Its not the first time I have had to don my Hi-Viz and white cap in an unmarked car with blues and sirens going to get someone to realise it was The Feds wanting a (not so) quiet word....  

[Andy B]

Nearest Police Stn at night will in a lot of cases be of no use to you anyway. A lot of them are shut at night, or just not answering the phone.  :-?

[Vamps]

.... and its the Police Officer in uniform who stops vehicles, not the car he/she is in at the time, be it marked or unmarked.

Tales of CID / plain clothes types holding warrant cards up at car windows, whilst doing diddlydump miles per hour, is the stuff of legend and simply does not hold water.....
Its not the first time I have had to don my Hi-Viz and white cap in an unmarked car with blues and sirens going to get someone to realise it was The Feds wanting a (not so) quiet word....  

Nighidiotch, ITV are doing just that, Q car, no uniform, blue lights and sirens. :question :question :question