Pulled over (of sorts) for 'Antisocial behavour'

Burble · 21-02-2010, 18:47

Around lunchtime Tink and I headed to Tesco in the next town. After I parked up and was getting ready to walk into Tesco I turned around to see a Skoda Octavia VRS parked across 4 parking spaces opposite my car and a policeman getting out of it walking towards me.

I was asked the usual - was it my car, how long had I owned it and then specifically asked about the (private) plate - how long had I owned that, how long had it been on the car and so on.

Anyway, the policeman told me that there was a marker on the plate on my car and that I'd triggered 3 ANPR cameras in the last few minutes and that they had 'proceeded' to get to me.

After a bit of a chat he told me that on January 10th someone had called the police to say that my car was being used for the purposes of photographing a farm, speficially the locks on the gates. Tink remembered that on Jan 10th we had been driving back to my house having had lunch with my parents and we'd stopped in a layby so that she could take some pictures for the BD 52 picture thing.

At the time we both noticed someone looking at us (I was sitting in the car whilst Tink was taking photos) but we thought nothing of it. So yeah, he thought we were planning to rob to place so he noted down the plate on the car and reported us.

We explained to the nice policeman about the amateur photography he said to use that when he saw us he didn't quite think we were the sort of people he'd be talking to about theft from a farm.

After doing a person check on Tink and I he took some notes so that the marker could be removed from the car, thanked us for our time and left.

He was a really nice chap, not at all arsey or whatever. It's the first time in aaages I've had a chat with a traffic officer and he did a great job of dispelling the myth that they all walk around smashing headlights and then doing you for it.

So that was a slightly exciting start to the afternoon!

Mark · 21-02-2010, 19:59

Could have been worse - at least there were no accusations of terrorism.

As is usually the case in this country, if you treat the officer right you get treated the same way. Glad to hear it's all sorted out.

Kitten · 21-02-2010, 20:20

Nice to hear they are also proactively following up leads for stuff like this. Shame you two had to get involved though!

Feek · 21-02-2010, 20:40

Bloody hooligan!

Desmo · 21-02-2010, 22:33

Now you're off the hook.....go back and rob the farm

Dazzy_G · 21-02-2010, 23:30

nobody will ever know!

Nutcase · 23-02-2010, 09:19

When you were at the farm did they not shout "Gerrrooff my land?!"

Must admit I do like ANPR systems - in general. When somoene has cloned your car however I can only imagine the hoops you have to go through to stop getting pulled every day...

TinkerBell · 23-02-2010, 09:58

That is the thing, I wasn't on his land. I was only leaning on the gate to take a photo!

Will · 23-02-2010, 10:07

I always thought there was something dodgy about you Tink!

Glad to hear the copper was decent and treated you like a human being rather than scum.

TinkerBell · 23-02-2010, 10:14

Haha

I know I look suspicious but I didn't think that it would get Paul stopped by the police! Hehe!

21-02-2010, 18:47	#1
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	Pulled over (of sorts) for 'Antisocial behavour' Around lunchtime Tink and I headed to Tesco in the next town. After I parked up and was getting ready to walk into Tesco I turned around to see a Skoda Octavia VRS parked across 4 parking spaces opposite my car and a policeman getting out of it walking towards me. I was asked the usual - was it my car, how long had I owned it and then specifically asked about the (private) plate - how long had I owned that, how long had it been on the car and so on. Anyway, the policeman told me that there was a marker on the plate on my car and that I'd triggered 3 ANPR cameras in the last few minutes and that they had 'proceeded' to get to me. After a bit of a chat he told me that on January 10th someone had called the police to say that my car was being used for the purposes of photographing a farm, speficially the locks on the gates. Tink remembered that on Jan 10th we had been driving back to my house having had lunch with my parents and we'd stopped in a layby so that she could take some pictures for the BD 52 picture thing. At the time we both noticed someone looking at us (I was sitting in the car whilst Tink was taking photos) but we thought nothing of it. So yeah, he thought we were planning to rob to place so he noted down the plate on the car and reported us. We explained to the nice policeman about the amateur photography he said to use that when he saw us he didn't quite think we were the sort of people he'd be talking to about theft from a farm. After doing a person check on Tink and I he took some notes so that the marker could be removed from the car, thanked us for our time and left. He was a really nice chap, not at all arsey or whatever. It's the first time in aaages I've had a chat with a traffic officer and he did a great job of dispelling the myth that they all walk around smashing headlights and then doing you for it. So that was a slightly exciting start to the afternoon!

21-02-2010, 20:20	#3
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	Nice to hear they are also proactively following up leads for stuff like this. Shame you two had to get involved though! __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher

21-02-2010, 20:40	#4
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	Bloody hooligan! __________________

21-02-2010, 22:33	#5
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Now you're off the hook.....go back and rob the farm __________________

21-02-2010, 23:30	#6
Dazzy_G Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Thurrock, Essex Posts: 103	nobody will ever know! __________________

21-02-2010, 19:59	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Could have been worse - at least there were no accusations of terrorism. As is usually the case in this country, if you treat the officer right you get treated the same way. Glad to hear it's all sorted out.

23-02-2010, 09:19	#7
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	When you were at the farm did they not shout "Gerrrooff my land?!" Must admit I do like ANPR systems - in general. When somoene has cloned your car however I can only imagine the hoops you have to go through to stop getting pulled every day...

23-02-2010, 09:58	#8
TinkerBell Dirty Spammer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the middle! Posts: 2,454	That is the thing, I wasn't on his land. I was only leaning on the gate to take a photo! __________________

23-02-2010, 10:07	#9
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	I always thought there was something dodgy about you Tink! Glad to hear the copper was decent and treated you like a human being rather than scum. __________________ *No No!*

23-02-2010, 10:14	#10
TinkerBell Dirty Spammer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the middle! Posts: 2,454	Haha I know I look suspicious but I didn't think that it would get Paul stopped by the police! Hehe! __________________