Police 'trap cars'

[Editor]

Police have set 'trap cars' in the area in order to catch would be car thieves and act as a deterrent. Click here for more details.

[stevea]

I can see it deterring the odd Joe Blogg joy rider or the opportunist car radio/sat nav thief, but I can't see it stopping the professional stealing a 100grand Merc off a driveway.

[Mallow]

Call me Lightning for short - but why put up signs announcing the possible existance of police trap cars.  Doesn't that give th game away a bit?

Actually I know the answer to this question, so consider this post a comment.

 

[Editor]

Call me Lightning for short - but why put up signs announcing the possible existance of police trap cars.  Doesn't that give th game away a bit?

Well it's certainly put me off nicking cars.

 

[Ferdie]

Call me Lightning for short - but why put up signs announcing the possible existance of police trap cars.  Doesn't that give th game away a bit?

It'll be probably against the thieves human rights if we don't let them know

[Bob Horrocks]

It is the same as the 'speed check' signs at each approach road to Brookmans Park.

Also I believe the authorities cannot use CCTV evidence unless there are warning signs to say that CCTV is operating in the area.  A lack of clear signage has been used in Court to overturn a clamping fine so signs, or lack of them, can work in your favour if you have 'misbehaved'.

[heharim]

It is the same as the 'speed check' signs at each approach road to Brookmans Park.

Also I believe the authorities cannot use CCTV evidence unless there are warning signs to say that CCTV is operating in the area.  A lack of clear signage has been used in Court to overturn a clamping fine so signs, or lack of them, can work in your favour if you have 'misbehaved'.

The difference being that parking on the "king's highway" is a permitted act - unless told otherwise by yellow lines, restriction signs, noties saying that this is private land and not public etc

We have a presumed right of privacy meaning that we should not have photos or recordings made of us without our permission - permission is implied by remaining in an area which is signposted - or going on to Google Street view

Stealing cars is never a permitted activity - even for scousers 

[Aidan Winwood]

It is the same as the 'speed check' signs at each approach road to Brookmans Park.

Also I believe the authorities cannot use CCTV evidence unless there are warning signs to say that CCTV is operating in the area.  A lack of clear signage has been used in Court to overturn a clamping fine so signs, or lack of them, can work in your favour if you have 'misbehaved'.

Is it going to be a little like the flashing '30 mph' signs that you see?  Flashing LED signs next to a lure car, stating 'this car is being watched in case anyone fancies stealing it, steer clear robbers!'

That would certainly put me off if I was going to chance my arm...

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[John_fraser]

I think that's the idea. There could only be one or two cars used as bait and these couldn't be watched 24/7. Therefore, even in a place as small as BP, a thief would have good odds of breaking into a car and getting away with it during such an operation. By placing the signs the police deter the criminal from committing the crime by increasing the apparent risk.