Cambridge PCSOs ensure people are cycling in the right direction and in an appropriate manner

Finndog wrote:

Sorry, but I'm fairly sure a PCSO can't give an endorsable ticket under the road traffic act or even stop the car. They have a lot of conditions attached to what they can and can't do.

Depends on which Police area you fall under. The law allows it in certain situations, individual forces have different operational policies. A PCSO can never stop a car, but you don't need to be in a moving car to receive an endorsable fine. Parking on zig zags is a common one, which PCSOs are used for in some areas.

I can't see a reason why a PCSO stationed at a junction, shouldn't be able to issue an endorsable ticket to drivers using their phone after they stop at a red light.

bikebot wrote:

Finndog wrote:

Sorry, but I'm fairly sure a PCSO can't give an endorsable ticket under the road traffic act or even stop the car. They have a lot of conditions attached to what they can and can't do.

Depends on which Police area you fall under. The law allows it in certain situations, individual forces have different operational policies. A PCSO can never stop a car, but you don't need to be in a moving car to receive an endorsable fine. Parking on zig zags is a common one, which PCSOs are used for in some areas.

I can't see a reason why a PCSO stationed at a junction, shouldn't be able to issue an endorsable ticket to drivers using their phone after they stop at a red light.

Have I got this right the ticket has to be issued there & then (to the driver) for mobile phone use? Is the PCSO not allowed to report it (as a relieable witness) and a FPN be sent through the post.

FATBEGGARONABIKE wrote:

bikebot wrote:

Finndog wrote:

Sorry, but I'm fairly sure a PCSO can't give an endorsable ticket under the road traffic act or even stop the car. They have a lot of conditions attached to what they can and can't do.

Depends on which Police area you fall under. The law allows it in certain situations, individual forces have different operational policies. A PCSO can never stop a car, but you don't need to be in a moving car to receive an endorsable fine. Parking on zig zags is a common one, which PCSOs are used for in some areas.

I can't see a reason why a PCSO stationed at a junction, shouldn't be able to issue an endorsable ticket to drivers using their phone after they stop at a red light.

Have I got this right the ticket has to be issued there & then (to the driver) for mobile phone use? Is the PCSO not allowed to report it (as a relieable witness) and a FPN be sent through the post.

Would they have to issue the ticket before the lights changed to green or can they detain a stationary car?
Does that equally mean a PCSO can't stop a moving cyclist either?

bikebot wrote:

A PCSO can never stop a car...

I think they might be able to stop all road users in the Thames Valley. They have the powers of Traffic Wardens and rule 105 of the highway code says you MUST obey their signals, including to stop. See page 2 on this http://thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-joinus-guide-to-powers-pcso.pdf

atgni wrote:

bikebot wrote:

A PCSO can never stop a car...

I think they might be able to stop all road users in the Thames Valley. They have the powers of Traffic Wardens and rule 105 of the highway code says you MUST obey their signals, including to stop. See page 2 on this http://thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-joinus-guide-to-powers-pcso.pdf

Interestingly, PCSOs in Thames Valley have:

- Power to seize vehicles used to cause alarm
- Power to require a person to wait for 30 minutes

I.e. if they started applying the 'cause alarm' criteria to dangerous driving / punishment passes, they could legally seize the vehicle! Also, they could simply require that anyone caught in an ASL or on the phone wait 30 minutes...

So, quite a few things can be done to effectively delay and annoy drivers who misbehave.

hampstead_bandit wrote:

@bikebot

I was aware about the ASL which actually has to be "witnessed" by a PC, which is why so few motorists seem to be caught

thanks for the info about the PCSO being able to catch cell phone drivers

And whenever there's been a suggestion of changing that, or allowing them to be enforced in the same manner as boxed junctions, guess which organisation is the most vociferous in opposing it.

The LTDA.

bikebot wrote:

hampstead_bandit wrote:

@bikebot

I was aware about the ASL which actually has to be "witnessed" by a PC, which is why so few motorists seem to be caught

thanks for the info about the PCSO being able to catch cell phone drivers

And whenever there's been a suggestion of changing that, or allowing them to be enforced in the same manner as boxed junctions, guess which organisation is the most vociferous in opposing it.

The LTDA.

Now there's a surprise...

hampstead_bandit wrote:

are the PCSO also targeting motorists using hand-held cell phones?

Or does this require the full powers of a Police Constable, in order to issue the fixed penalty notice and 3 points to the driving license, of what is a criminal offence?

A PCSO can issue a ticket for that, bit of a mystery as to why they haven't been used to enforce it more as it's like catching fish in a barrel. The most well known problem which they can't enforce is cars entering the ASL box, which does require a PC.