Police spotting (junction watch)

What are they there for? Two of them laughing outside Oval this morning while two cars sat in the ASL box.

to CATCH CYCLISTS who BREAK THE LAW, because when they do they CAUSE ACCIDENTS, GET BACK BEHIND THAT LINE!

^ was the gist of what was bellowed in the face of some poor sod in brixton this morning. fuck em and those that put them there.

And to have a go at cyclists who go on amber. Apparently you have to wait for green.
They are allowed to fine cyclists but not motorists apparently

They are allowed to fine cyclists but not motorists apparently
This sounds suspiciously like popo has no idea of the law, or is simply choosing to ignore it, subject to it's own whim.

Shepherds Bush again. They were doing nothing when I rolled by

Some days they target cyclists.

Some days they will target just motorists (with ANPR checks for tax and insurance, etc), although not at those junctions in the same way.

I'd assume it all balances out in the end and I just can't summon to energy to give a fuck if it doesn't.

I still see plenty of cyclists jumping red lights, and I still see plenty of motorists doing the same (along with ASL encroachment, speeding, driving whilst on the phone or texting), etc. So the more visible policing and active enforcement there is the better.

So what's the deal with PCSOs?

Broadly I thought they only had normal powers of a citizen e.g. to arrest and call in real coppers etc - but someone wrote they are able to fine cyclists but not motor vehicles (? fining without being an officah of the law whut now)

Can you just routinely ignore them and what they say? What are the extent of their powers. Can they stop and search ever. Are you obliged to provide a name and address as to a real officer..

ConstableSavage/amateur lfgss lawyers, please halp

I don't know. I read in a post earlier this week that a member got pulled up by one and they explained they did not have the power to fine motorists but can fine cyclists. Some clarification is probably needed

Looks like that post was right:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117572/pcso-powers.pdf

although actually maybe i'm wrong, anyway, there are the powers according to the .gov

I don't know. I read in a post earlier this week that a member got pulled up by one and they explained they did not have the power to fine motorists but can fine cyclists. Some clarification is probably needed

Possibly me.....

A spesh-plod (PCSO) told me they only have powers to fine cyclist not motorists...all the while denying that they are there to target cyclist!

An officer of the law has to qualify as full PIG in order to fine all motorists.

Looks like that post was right:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117572/pcso-powers.pdf

If you read it, you will see that PCSOs have the power (rather the designated power) to issue FPNs to cyclists for cyling on footpaths.

They do not have the authority to issue FPNs for other traffic offences.

They can only stop a person on a cycle for cycling on a footpath too.

You can fuck with a PCSO by demanding to see their designated authority card, without which they have none...

IIRC - PCSO powers are subtly different from constabulary to constabulary which doesn't help.

They are the same, other than those designated them in addition to the standard powers, by their Chief Cunstable, from the list in the PDF above.

So they can't fine you for jumping reds? That explains why they are backed up by proper OB for this latest blitz on cyclists

Not trying to start a huge conversation or anything but it's interesting to consider the Is it Time to Start Calling Out Bad Cyclists thread with this thread.

One: full of reports of selfish and irresponsible cycling; the other thread: focussing on a group of people with the power to call out and punish (to a limited extent) such cyclists. Something to think about.

Ah bollocks - I'm wrong again.

The 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act part12. S 152. gives them a load more powers.

best stick to the sale of goods act eh sweetheart. xx

Nah - I make all that shit up too.

the ones in tooting, clapham and oval junctions didn't seem to mind hooden MTB riders etc. breaking the red light. so either they have stopped caring or are just to frown at cars who creep into the ASL (but they tend not to if the popo are about).

Not trying to start a huge conversation or anything but it's interesting to consider the Is it Time to Start Calling Out Bad Cyclists thread with this thread.

One: full of reports of selfish and irresponsible cycling; the other thread: focussing on a group of people with the power to call out and punish (to a limited extent) such cyclists. Something to think about.

Not sure of your point?

I don't think this thread is about warning people where police are so they can ride like dicks and not get caught. Most of the recent conversation appears to be about how poorly the police are enforcing the law.

Yeah you're probably right, but I thought I would play slight devils advocate by trying (and apparently failing) to imply that slagging off the popo for being shit might be worth re-considering.

Still no idea what they are doing, two stood again at Oval on the way home last night about 8 or 9 cyclist sail through the red lights - nothing just watched go through. Copper on a motorbike sat by the junction near Clapham North just sat there watching the world go by. Car most of the way in the ASL box, fella asked him it and the copper said something about 'It's ok as the back wheels aren't over the line' Then as the light change a car makes a left turn without an indication - again nothing. Seems it's just a nice day sitting in the sun, in bike leathers.

If you read it, you will see that PCSOs have the power (rather the designated power) to issue FPNs to cyclists for cyling on footpaths.

This is useful because I'm sure you see PCSOs enforcing red lights and so forth...

You can fuck with a PCSO by demanding to see their designated authority card, without which they have none...

Is this only for the extra designated powers or for any power above that of a citizen?

This is useful because I'm sure you see PCSOs enforcing red lights and so forth...

Ah bollocks - I'm wrong again.

The 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act part12. S 152. gives them a load more powers.
Including, among other things, issuing FPNs for rljs.

Is this only for the extra designated powers or for any power above that of a citizen?
Without the designation card, they have no powers above those of any person.

I'm not sure what the implication would be of a person being in a PCSO uniform, with no card, attempting to exercise any powers at all, even any person powers.