Thefts at level crossings.

[Kernowfem]

While sitting at my local level crossing this morning (South muskham) a car pulled in behind me. It was unmarked and the driver approached my window. He introduced himself as a DC with Notts police then proceeded to ask what I was doing there.

I explained I was there simply to watch the trains and that I was a bit of an enthusiast. Although he smirked a bit he went on to explain that there was a spate of "level crossing crimes" in the area. This involved rural crossings whereby thieves sat near or by level crossings, wait for vehicles to pull up at the barriers and then rob them. He went on to advise me to keep doors and windows locked and not to be there at night especially with me being female!

Locally I can't find anything in the news about this, and making enquiries within the village no one has heard or reported anything. What I found odd afterwards was that he didn't show his warrant card (I didn't think to ask at the time)he was plain clothed as a CID officer would be...

I wondered if anyone else had heard about these kinds of thefts, or was someone having a bit of a laugh??

 

[westcoaster]

I think the best thing to do is to report this to the BTP or local police and they can see if this is a real operation or a fake officer.

 

[Kernowfem]

I think the best thing to do is to report this to the BTP or local police and they can see if this is a real operation or a fake officer.

Indeed, I was going to. But just wanted to check before I did. I don't want to make an idiot of myself in case it was someone having a giggle at my expense

 

[Antman]

Indeed, I was going to. But just wanted to check before I did. I don't want to make an idiot of myself in case it was someone having a giggle at my expense

Yes I would report this to BTP or local police. Impersonating a police officer is an offence even if it was some sort of prank

 

[deltic1989]

This certainly sounds a bit fishy to me, as in my experience (don't ask what that is ) CID officers tend to show their warrant card and introduce themselves before they do anything else.

 

[Gathursty]

Are all unmanned level crossings fitted with CCTV nowadays?

 

[GB]

..No.

 

[Bevan Price]

Stopping anywhere is a potential theft hazard for many cars with central door locking. Unless you lock yourself inside the car, the boot is unlocked, and any passing yob could open it and steal property.

 

[Gathursty]

..No.

I was thinking that that would put off robbers as the NR cameras which you tend to see on news reports when people jump the lights is quite clear. However CCTV doesn't put off every robber.

I'd like to see evidence of this before I believe it.

 

[Kernowfem]

I was thinking that that would put off robbers as the NR cameras which you tend to see on news reports when people jump the lights is quite clear. However CCTV doesn't put off every robber.

I'd like to see evidence of this before I believe it.

I should add that this particular crossing does have cameras. As does the four others that are in the area. Bathley, North muskham, Norwell and Carlton (which also has a signal box)

 

[edwin_m]

I should add that this particular crossing does have cameras. As does the four others that are in the area. Bathley, North muskham, Norwell and Carlton (which also has a signal box)

The CCTV is provided for the signaller to check the crossing is clear once the barriers are down. It's unlikely that a car on the approach is within the field of view. It's also not being looked at most of the time, and is unlikely to be recorded.

 

[Kernowfem]

The CCTV is provided for the signaller to check the crossing is clear once the barriers are down. It's unlikely that a car on the approach is within the field of view. It's also not being looked at most of the time, and is unlikely to be recorded.

Quite, which is why I doubt that these cameras would be a deterrent in relation to this.

 

[Antman]

The CCTV is provided for the signaller to check the crossing is clear once the barriers are down. It's unlikely that a car on the approach is within the field of view. It's also not being looked at most of the time, and is unlikely to be recorded.

Although any intending thief probably wouldn't know that.