As we've worked with people who are using the "unsigned forms" loophole, we have noted that the Police and the Camera Partnerships frequently send out letters which are to greater and lesser extents misleading, inaccurate and threatening. These letters have become so commonplace that they have been termed "bluff and bluster letters."

It has been noted that such letters are not the way we would wish the Police to behave, and in some cases or in many cases may actually be illegal.

The idea of raising official complaints was considered, and we telephoned the Police Complaints Authority. The Police Complaints Authority suggested that a "class complaint" would be appropriate.

We are therefore co-ordinating a class complaint against bluff and bluster letters.

Note that this class complaint will only deal with "bluff and bluster letters". If you have any other complaint there is nothing to stop you making an independent complaint in the normal way. See the Police Complaints Authority web site (click here). 

If you have received a bluff and bluster letter you can join the complaint as follows:

• Send us two copies of your received bluff and bluster letter
• Send us two copies of your complaint letter (see below)
• non-members should consider including an optional donation to Safe Speed (see this page)
• To reach us by 31st August 2003

BB Complaint
Safe Speed
Trace House
Clay of Allan
Fearn near Tain
Ross-Shire
Scotland
IV20 1RR

We will bundle all the complaints together and forward them on 1st September 2003.

For your complaint to be valid it must be in writing, come from an individual and it must be signed and dated. (Signing this letter will not affect any ongoing unsigned forms cases). A sample is below. You can paste the text direct into your favourite word processor by highlighting (drag I-beam cursor across the text) and then copy (Control C), switching to a blank word processor document and then paste (Control V).

Dear Sir

I wish to complain about the attached letter addressed to me.

I believe that the letter is inaccurate and deliberately misleading and as such infringes my rights. It is certainly not up to the standards of fairness, decency or openness that I expect from the Police.

Further, I wish you to investigate in detail and ensure that standards are defined for such letters that the Police may issue in the future.

I have joined the class complaint organised by Safe Speed and I authorise you to communicate progress, recommendations and findings to Safe Speed regarding my individual complaint.

Yours faithfully

[sign]
 

[name]

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