Unmarked police cars are 'vital', says PCC

Unmarked police cars are a "vital" part of keeping roads safe, according to West Mercia's police and crime commissioner.

John Campion said there was a "bubble of lawfulness" from drivers when they spot marked cars that did not exist elsewhere.

"An unmarked [vehicle], particularly on the roadside, is an effective part of what we are trying to do, which is to tackle behaviour which isn't just speed," he said, before adding: "It would be naïve and incorrect to suggest it is just about speed."

Campion was speaking at a meeting of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel, which took place at Pershore Civic Centre on Friday.

He continued: "If you're using your mobile phone while going down the M54 and a marked police car comes past you're likely to put it down.

"If an unmarked police car comes past you're not necessarily likely to put it down.

"Having travelled in many marked police cars and many unmarked police cars, I can assure you there is a bubble of lawfulness often around a marked police car that isn't there when you're in an unmarked one.

"That is what we see every day isn't it, as motorists? I think they're vital, but they represent an incredibly small part of West Mercia Police."

Campion's comments came after Councillor Peter Huseman talked about "numerous unmarked police vehicles" being spotted on the region's motorways.

He had asked: "Should these be converted into marked vehicles to increase visibility and so [for] prevention rather than for speed enforcement?"

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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