Morning folks.

Apols if this has been asked before. I've had a quick sniff/search and couldn't see anything.

Each day I have a little stint on the M3 between Bagshot and Camberley or Farnborough, depending if I'm going to work or travelling back home.

I keep spotting what looks to be a (or perhaps there's more than one) semi-naked Police 4x4. Wearing a black and green checked paint job, it's got an all-clear light unit on the roof (not seen them working though) but no 'Police' (or 'eciloP' ) markings... but at times I've seen it parked up at the Police points along the carriageway and pull up behind stranded cars on the hard-shoulder.

Just curious to know whether this is a new breed of Police vehicle or perhaps some transport body patrolling our roads. Hmmm...

Jonts.

 

Theyre Highways Agency Patrols.

 

Jonts,
It's one of the "keep the traffic" moving brigade, NOT Police, not sure what powers they have either so don't blast by on full boost and stick you fingers up !!

Ian

 

http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/601.aspx

 

Cheers guys. As always, questions easily answered on SN. Given the amount of times I've seen them, let's hope they're never too far away if I need some help.

Jonts.

 

Their powers are:

preventing or reducing the effect of anything causing (or which has the potential to cause) congestion or other disruption to the movement of traffic on such a road.

avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using such a road (or preventing risks of any such danger arising).

They have the power of a constable under section 35(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) to direct a person driving or propelling a vehicle to stop the vehicle or to proceed in, or keep to, a particular line of traffic.

They also have the power of arrest (as does any member of the public) under new SOCaP regs for

Causing physical injury
Causing damage to property
Making off before a constable arrives

 

No danger in them Disco's they've got