How to spot an unmarked rozzer? Tell-tale signs.

[NumberoftheBeast]

Now I am not a boy-racer (I gave it up LOL) but I keep seeing these threads on the forums such as: "spotted an unmarked police car last night" and it makes me worry... Either I'm not paying attention or I am blind and/or stupid because I have never spotted one.

The closest I have come to cops in unmarked vehicles is by looking in the car and seeing their uniform - once. I was sat at the traffic lights, waiting for the green light and I was just about to blow this Scoob away before noticing that two cops were in it, one male and one female.

So my question is, can we all have some tips on what to look out for whilst out on the road? What are the tell-tale signs of an unmarked police car?

[NumberoftheBeast]

Just found this article; hope it may help others:

http://www.users.freenetname.co.uk/~trap/police206.htm

[JamieG]

I normally take note when they come up behind me with blue lights flashing from the front grille!

Have also had one pull up along side me at a set of lights to give me a verbal warning to slow down.. oops

[johneroberts]

Two rear view mirrors, and never any deal sticker in the rear windscreen are just a couple of tell tale signs
jr

[Dom81]

Inside lane at 70mph, often sitting in fron of an HGV for cover, or masked by overtaking lorries
Always two up front
No GB sticker (although they are less common nowadays...)
I've never seen one with a towball, but I guess it's possible
Extra speedo or equipment on the dash (but not always)

[mbelle]

Look out for...

- Extra roof aerials (although becoming less common)
- Front/Rear extra grill lights (blue lights - sometimes replace fog lights as blue lights too)
- A banner sign in the rear window (usually, when lit, says POLICE in Red LEDs)
- Two rear view mirrors (as mentioned)
- No dealer stickers (as mentioned)
- Extra devices on their dash or rear parcel shelf (usually a camera)

All I can think of at the mo... HTH

[Cornishmoocher]

They ALWAYS have a blind spot mirror on BOTH wing mirrors (handy if you are being followed, to spot these before you boot it and leave them fumbling for thier blues and twos!)

[Krammer002]

Unusually strong smell of coffee and doughnuts...

[victor2vt]

In the North East they are mostly Volvos, never in metallic paint usually dark grey, green apart from the driver instruction cars in white.

To add to above;

Normally a small aerial either left or right of boot

If fitted with Tracker several short aeriels on roof

Always very clean

One very sneaky new ploy is to stick a child sun visor in the driver's side rear passenger window so it hides them in uniform when you pass them

[al'srs4]

Yes definitely the clusters of small arials and that passenger rear view mirror. But, also the hole demenor of the car the way they just cruise amoungst the traffic without any real goal. Most people are busy going somewhere were as they are just collecting the miles at a steady pace.
I like most people I guess, scan the road ahead looking for any car normally dark blue that appears to be just cruising and letting all manner of stuff overtake. Big problem is at night - hand those points over sir! alex

[lemond]

Normally towing a h*rsebox!

[victor2vt]

Normally towing a h*rsebox!

Lemond,


Like the FLASH from the horsebox

[derdle]

I was collared by a Volvo just over a year ago. I saw it a long way behind me and realised it was closing fast but then kept pace. It dawned on me that it was a Volvo...but the giveway was that the "daylights" were switched off. New Volvo with daylights off triggered the alarm bells (but sadly not soon enough).

Be careful along the A10 heading out of London...favourite training ground for the pursuit guys. Unmarked Volvos, Beemer 535d's, Skoda VRs and even ST220 Mondeos. They aren't really bothered with stopping motorists unless they are taking the p*ss though...I've had the coverts flashed at me once or twice.

[victor2vt]

Just followed a white RX3, 2 people in with a very small aerial situated on roof above the left rear passenger (why ?) also 2 small plastic domes either side of rear of roof.

Completely un marked 57 reg in Hexham in Northumberland.

Info anyone ?

[bobbler]

Can also be spotted when you undertake them at about 90mph when they are sat in the right hand lane (both others empty). I was just about to give them the international sign language for "Nescafe" when I realised the error of my ways when the one in the passenger seat wagged his finger at me, about the same time I noticed the hats and hi-vis vests!

Years ago that was on the M4 between Chippenham and Swindon.