Taxi Driver Online

MET POLICE LOSE ENFORCEMENT POWERS

Officers in London can no longer enforce a number of traffic offences after major shake-up


Metropolitan Police officers have been stripped of powers to enforce a number of traffic offences involving major road signs from today, PistonHeads has learnt. A set of Met Police guidelines has been passed to us that illustrate exactly which misdemeanours officers are no longer allowed to deal with.

These include ‘no entry’, ‘one way’, and ‘no U turn’ signs. It is understood that police officers are furious at the reduction in their powers, which has been implemented with immediate effect. The enforcement now lies with Transport for London and the London local authorities and in many cases cameras will be used to catch motorists.

The memo, which was circulated to officers today, reads: ‘Where officers witness offences in circumstances that amount to minor errors of judgement, drivers may continue to be stopped and words of advice given, however, no formal warning may be given or reporting action taken.

‘Officers must not tell drivers that no proceedings will be brought as a local authority civil enforcement notice could still be issued, for example where the authority has captured the offence on camera.’

Just two thirds of London local authorities are thought to have agreed to take up enforcement. The Traffic Management Act 2004 and the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 introduced provisions for the new changes.

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