NIP arrived the other day..........

[simple1]

Following this landing on my door mat, and as a follow on from another post in B7 RS4, I have been asked to relay my actions:
NIP is for 39 in a 30,heading south on A350 on 12/10/06 van was not visible, nor did high tech detector which picks up vans and bikes, trigger.
On return trip, detector triggered, and passed through village at 30 to see a van parked at the far end of the village. At this point I was travelling North. Operator paid particular attention to my car which was in a line of traffic......
I have written to Dorset Camara Partnership, asking for thier evidence as they do not publish this unlike Wiltshire who use a website to show the photos.
I am also going to challenge the legality of the NIP and process as these partnerships claim visability and safety as their remit, where infact it is revenue that is their driving force.........

[DaveP]

Isn't there also a case going on at the moment where the operator of the camera was indeed a civilian rather than police officer ? - and questioning the fact as to whether the civilian was legally trained or qualified to operate the device ?

[simple1]

There is, and it seems from a conversation with Mr Freeman, that he will win this case and put a scud on alot of previous prosecutions, you can depend on one thing though, the government will change the regulations to suit themselves.....

[s4woody]

mite be an idea to have the camera maintenance records called into question.. how often do they get calibrated/service..

[MarkB]

Interesting to hear how you get on Simon. Good luck!

[tartan_rob]

Yep Simon. I'm guitted for you, but please keep us posted.

Do you have the wiltshire Photo website..? I am concerned I may have been caught the other day.

[derdle]

Ask for the photo so you satisfy yourself that it was you driving ratehr than anyone else...or someone with your number plate on a different car.
If the photo was taken from behind, how can you be sure who was driving (as in the Hamiltons case)? Is the equipment licensed to photograph the back of the vehicle.

All these sorts of things Freeman can deal with.

[kevinw]

In relation to DaveP's comment. most partnerships use civilians rather than Plod to operate camera's. ACPO guidelines state that the vans should be visible, but these are only guidelines. Same as a traffic cop should be in Hi-vis jacket, but again this is only a guideline.

Always ask them for their evidence, you'll be suprised how often/quickly cases are dropped!

And you should receive the NIP within 14 days, otherwise you have an immediate defence on a technicality.

[philipwalker]

There is, and it seems from a conversation with Mr Freeman, that he will win this case and put a scud on alot of previous prosecutions, you can depend on one thing though, the government will change the regulations to suit themselves.....

Just hope he gets off with what ever the Gwent Police have had him arrested for?
As reported today
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manc ... 100970.stm

[CliveH]

Just hope he gets off with what ever the Gwent Police have had him arrested for?

"Suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice"

[derdle]

Suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice

Surely that is a charge that should be levelled against the "safety" camera partnerships? Safety my ar*e.

[CliveH]

Point well made Paul.

[simple1]

Was quite surprised when I read that on teletext this morning, how can a Solicitor be arrested on suspicion of perverting the justice system when he has defended motorists who have been wrongly convicted.... Welsh plod operate the zero tolerance system do they not..... so this a shot across the bows of anyone who dares to question the law......

[k5turbo]

They are a law to themselves my missis got done doing 36 in a 30 n he was parked in a bus stop !!!!!!!!!!

[simple1]

Has been a spate of local press coverage here in Avon and Somerset, of illegally parked camera vans photographed by locals while in use, parked on double yellow lines, on pavements and grass verges accessed by driving across pavements........ one operator is being reported for blocking a pavement, his reg number enlarged for all to see, another is under investigation for destroying council property when his van got stuck on a wet grass bank and had to be towed off by police 4x4.....leaving great muddy ruts in the grass.