Unmarked Plod - M5 Bristol - Exeter

Loads of plod out today. Saw half a dozen marked cars of various
descriptions on the hard shoulder, having pulled people over.

The one that caught my eye, though, was the unmarked car.

Volvo V70 T5 Estate thingie.

Nothing unusual in that, you may think - but this one was in dark
metallic blue (again, not that unusual) with big anthracite alloys, very
dark pimp tints on the rear passenger windows / 3/4 windows / boot, no
extra aerials and what looked like some kind of Swedish flag / owner's
club sticker on the back.

I certainly wouldn't have suspected it as plod [1], it looked like it
would have been owned by one of the 'flying brick' / T5 club
enthusiasts.

[1] Although I do tend to view most quick Volvos as potential plod, as
well as dark coloured Saab 9-5 Aeros (Seen a handful of these unmarked
around the Swansea / Heads of the Valleys area).

 

The Bill in these parts, North Herts, used to have a Merc E320 with a
box of tissues on the parcel shelf and a GB sticker.
I have just been behind a very ordinary looking metallic burgundy
Vectra on the M1, closer examination evealed two very small LED type
blue lights in the top corners of the back screen, and a female plod
at the wheel.
You have to be very weary these days

 

On my longest ride for about 5 years this afternoon[1] I was overtaking
a lorry and a chap in a dayglo jacket steps out from a bush holding
something lens like to his face. Thought I'd been nabbed but as I passed
him he was looking through a pair of binoculars at something behind me.

[1] First time in about 3 years the RD has seen a petrol station, who
says modern petrol doesn't last?

 

Update: Wasn't a Swedish thing, was a 'Kernow' flag.

http://cornish-heritage.net/shop/images/Oval Kernow,no (c) (Small)
..jpg

Like that one, without'Kernow' across the middle.

 

I've felt tired for weeks -it's down to unmarked police cars you think?

I shall sue them.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, SteveH

I see them quite a lot around here[1]. Along with the "Cymru" dragons.
And the saltire. Usually on the same cars. Month after month.

It always makes me laugh.

[1] "Here" being North Hertfordshire.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - "He's hopeless, but he's honest"

I have already made the greatest contribution to the fight against climate
change that I can make: I have decided not to breed. Now quit bugging me and
go and talk to the Catholics.

 

I saw one like this yesterday (same colour vectra) - on the M6. Came
up to it at just over the limit (mid 80s), something made me slow down
and take a look and saw a chap with white shirt and black vest holding
chatting on what looked like a walkie talkie. He was doing similar
speeds so I tucked in and let him go past. Plenty of other cars flew
past without being pulled though.

 

It was cruising the village on wednesday, caught a daft bird on her
mobile phone.

There was an item about it on the local BBC news, they are having a
purge in unmarked cars targetting mobile phones and general poor
driving standards.

According to the TV they have issued loads of tickets and lectures
for phones, seat belts, lane hogging and changing, red lights, etc.

 

I don't actually mind them doing that sort of thing. Much better than
cameras everywhere, although a PITA if you're the one being targeted,
however, in the past I'd reckon on being talked to far more than
nicked by real coppers.

 

heh, YTC.

Actually are you sure it wasn't the Devon flag? It's mostly green, so
easily confused with Sweden's.

 

....what with Sweden's being mostly blue...

 

Might have been the same one, the one I saw had a number that started
BG, a Birmimgham issued number so I didn't think that it would be
likely to be patroling the M1 at Hemel Hempsted. Police forces
invariably have locally registered cars so that's always a give away
on un marked cars. I have noticed that quite a few unmarked non
traffic cars, particularly in London, seem to be Kent (GA - GY)
registered.

Be careful out there.