talizman

iTrader: (1)

The thing you are failing to realise is that just because there is no "stolen marker" on the PNC, this doesn not mean the car is legit.

Plenty cars are stolen and outstanding for a long time before the owner even realises its gone.

The ONLY way to absolutely confirm, is a spot check.


How on earth does "abuse of power" come into it.
The police are a public service, so if a member of the public makes a complaint to them, it MUST be investigated and dealt with accordingly.
Where is power being abused in this scenario?????
Believe me, there are LOTS of minor reports/complaints that I would LOVE to sweep under the carpet, but if I did, I'd get done with neglect of duty.




An excellent point, and something that folk often seem to forget.

drumsterphil

iTrader: (1)

Fair point, I thought a PNC check would highlight if a car had been reported stolen.

talizman

iTrader: (1)

A PNC check WILL show the car as stolen, providing it has been reported!

Perhaps in the future, our cars will automatically update the PNC if they are taken without the owners consent!

It'd make my job a lot easier!

The following scenario is not uncommon.....

A car commits thefts of petrol at numerous service stations over a period of time.
Enquiries are made at the registered keepers address, however there is never any reply.

After about 2 weeks, you finally get an answer at the door, only to find that the registered keeper has just stepped off a plane from his hols, and that his car has been stolen some 2 weeks ago, yet the PNC did not show a marker.

Nightmare.

andypugh2000

I actually agree with spot checks, at least that way they can ask you questions to confirm your identity, address etc, never been pulled in my scooby but then its a wagon and doesnt have an IKEA coffee table stuck on the back

Nathan L

Yes it does until the person stealing the car puts your number plate on the car after seeing it on the internet. Suddenly the stolen car looks legit on a PNC check until you actually stop it.

I recovered an Astra GTE that had been stolen 5 yrs previously from Croydon and had been driving round with false plates from another car all that time

Nathan..

Ritch96

My comment previous was perhaps misunderstood. I don't expect the police force to be able to physically follow up every stolen car report immediately. As I said, perhaps in a utopian society, or at least one where the police force weren't as stretched as it seems.

My point really is not that its bad policing in thoery, just a bit of a waste of resources in an already stretched organisation. But thats probably good for the overtime.

ThrustSSC

Isn't that supposed to be the big winner with trackers? Everytime I go away and leave mine (airport, port, driveway, etc.) I ring the RAC up and tell them. Then if the car moves they know it's stolen - simple

talizman

iTrader: (1)

Thats all good and well, but you must bear in mind that the vast majority of cars on the road do not have trackers.

Then take into account that the few cars with trackers, may not be "active" trackers, therefore they only start "tracking" when you report the car stolen.

Uphill struggle all the way

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

I'm surprised at the number of times people claim to be 'randomly' stopped. I've only ever been stopped twice; once was years ago, in a barely-legal Fiat Panda at 2am (fair enough!), and the other time was in my scooby for a random check of my documents. If you're getting pulled every month, are you really sure it's random, and that your driving isn't attracting attention?

Jerome

Admittedly a couple of years ago, but I've been pulled over by both Bracknell and Farnborough Police for spot checks. The Bracknell coppers said they were pulling over every Impreza they came across. The Farnborough coppers said I was pulled over because I wasn't speeding (obviously don't realise some people actually use their rear view mirrors), which is inherently suspicious. They also said I'd have been pulled (and done) if I had been speeding. So at least 2 Police forces, at one time, were pulling over all Imprezas even if they are being driven sensibly.

Soulgirl

Blimey! Time to sell on and buy something 'different'

Bubba po

I've had mine for 15 or so months and haven't been stopped yet.

NotoriousREV

Yoza keeps getting pulled up because he likes to park outside banks with the engine running and a stocking on his head.

yoza

Your joking of course....there is no way they would let me drive !