MCN
hereMCN Steve Farrell wrote:
Camera bosses’ anger over sneaky speed trap shots
By Steve Farrell - 30 July 2010 17:11
Speed camera bosses are refusing to speak to MCN after we printed pictures of an unmarked motorcycle used in covert operations.
They bizarrely insist we should have shown them the shots of the sneaky speed trap before publishing them.
The pictures show a BMWR1200GS, registration number LD08GHA, with a speed detector mounted on the back.
Wales’ speed camera partnership, called GoSafe, claims the bike is used inline with ACPO guidelines, which state speed traps should be ‘clearly visible’.
But the plain-clothed operator didn’t seem keen on us seeing what he was up to. Realising he was being photographed, on the A5 near Betws-y-Coed, Gwynedd, on July 10, he stopped aiming his speed gun at traffic and became preoccupied with adjusting his mirror.
MCN explained to the partnership’s Sgt Alan Jones what the pictures showed before printing them.
But after they appeared in MCN, he said: “When I asked you last week about the photographs, you could have sent them to me.” He said our refusal to do so was “unacceptable”.
He said: “What you need to do, mate, is go through Quadrant, our publicity people,” before putting the phone down.
Quadrant said: “Enforcement was conducted within ACPO guidelines.”
We asked why the bike was unmarked and the officer in plain clothes but Quadrant failed to respond.
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