Marked Unmarked Police Car ?

Ebe_Scrooge

I saw something today that I've not come across before. A plain white car ( Mitsubishi Lancer ), that had the word "Police" written on the sides and back in fairly small lettering - smaller font than a marked car would have, though clearly visible. No other markings at all, no lights or anything on top, plain white except for the lettering. The chap driving was not in uniform. What's that all about ?

Not that it matters, I was just curious as I've never come across this before ( no, I didn't flash past him at 100 mph or anything like that ! ). It's neither marked nor unmarked really, so was just curious as to what the reasoning behind it was ?

Car_54

Possibly not your local force, but one of the non-secret but less obvious national police forces: British Transport, Nuclear, Military, MODPlod ...

Rolandtheroadie

Think Police Scotland has a policy of marking unmarked cars, so that there's no entrapment issues.

CID cars are marked similarly I believe.

Ebe_Scrooge

scotsman4th wrote: »

Think Police Scotland has a policy of marking unmarked cars, so that there's no entrapment issues.

CID cars are marked similarly I believe.

Thanks. This was on the Edinburgh bypass, so that could well be it. Like I say, just curious

DUTR

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

I saw something today that I've not come across before. A plain white car ( Mitsubishi Lancer ), that had the word "Police" written on the sides and back in fairly small lettering - smaller font than a marked car would have, though clearly visible. No other markings at all, no lights or anything on top, plain white except for the lettering. The chap driving was not in uniform. What's that all about ?

Not that it matters, I was just curious as I've never come across this before ( no, I didn't flash past him at 100 mph or anything like that ! ). It's neither marked nor unmarked really, so was just curious as to what the reasoning behind it was ?

They use all sorts of cars, there was one of those police stop programs on on Friday, the were using plain scoobys etc.
Even today I noticed a Merc CDI 220 next to me with 2 feds inside and a quashqai behind me with 2 in there too, around brum they use plain beemers.

Ebe_Scrooge

DUTR wrote: »

They use all sorts of cars, there was one of those police stop programs on on Friday, the were using plain scoobys etc.
Even today I noticed a Merc CDI 220 next to me with 2 feds inside and a quashqai behind me with 2 in there too, around brum they use plain beemers.

Yeah, that's the point - "plain" apart from the word "Police" printed on the sides It's neither one thing nor 'tother. And having being driving here a while, I recognise pretty much all of their "pure plain-clothes" cars

iainscomputer

The car in question is probably being used for fast driving training, I've seen similar cars in my area, Greater Manchester, but with driver under instruction stickers on the back.

bigjl

The fact this was in Scotland reminds me of the light Blue Police Transit they had i Dundeed in the late 80s

No visibility markings just some very small blue lights on the roof.

And "Tayside Police" markings. In slightly darker Blue!

It had no high visibility markings whatsoever.

I know a few blokes from my Uni got pulled over by it driving in an exuberant manner.

I first noticed it when it pulled up behind me at traffic lights.

Had to double take.

I also wouldn't be surprised if it was due to concerns about entrapment.

Or community coppers that don't respond on the bell.

droopsnoot

Given that most traffic cars have video recording facilities now I would think that would be sufficient to throw out any claims of entrapment.

Geodark

Strangely enough I saw something similar in Newcastle the other week, plain white car (can't remember what it was) with Police written on the back (never saw the sides as it was a few cars ahead of me)

RichardD1970

Saw a car today (West Midlands), plain off white Nissan Leaf, but on the C pillar on each side there was a police badge about 3" diameter. 2 police officers in full gear got out.

Even stranger, it was pulled up at a petrol pump! :think: