Salisbury Plain illegal drivers targeted by MoD police

[BioHazard]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-18160169

[Surf01]

I am a bit puzzled. Under which regulation can MOD police fine people as they have no such authority over civilians? Secondly how were they able to access a database regarding insurance details as that would be contravening the Data Protection Act? Thirdly surely you do not have to have insurance to ride on public land although the vehicle should have a SORN. Anyway I would think that as MOD land is not public land the only offense is trespass.

[BioHazard]

The mod police have the same powers as a county force .... they can arrest and prosecute and have all the same access to the ANPR database.

[Surf01]

Okay so in theory the only offence would be trespass? If you do not pay the fine, how would they go about prosecuting as MOD is not public land?

[TonyN]

Good stuff, more of this and people will think twice about abusing the byways.

Surf01, byways are public roads you need a fully road legal motor vehicle, and also you can get done for not wearing seatbelts, driving without care and attention,...etc, like normal road rules.

Anywhere that isn't a byway you shouldn't be driving on.

[Surf01]

Good stuff, more of this and people will think twice about abusing the byways.

Surf01, byways are public roads you need a fully road legal motor vehicle, and also you can get done for not wearing seatbelts, driving without care and attention,...etc, like normal road rules.

Anywhere that isn't a byway you shouldn't be driving on.

Not questioning them being done just the legalities and type of charges that can actually be brought against them.

[BioHazard]

First Offence is a token fine of about £30 .....
If then caught again it's up to £20k, a 6month stretch and your vehicle crushed.They crushed a load of trail bikes a few months back..... I know that they have used a Apache to hunt down one of the more persistent offenders on a live range.

[muddle]

or in other words.... THEY WILL F**K YOU UP............ so keep to the rules.

i dont quite understand why this argument is happening, if your going to be a pleb then you going to get done, byways are as said public roads where an MOT,TAX and insurance is needed.

also you say that you dont need insurance tax and test to be on public land, did you mean to say private land?

this is also why when we organise meets at the plains etc we have a guide, so they can guide us through using the correct routes and rules. it keeps everyone happy, we have a good day and no fines are incurred.

[shokenore]

Okay so in theory the only offence would be trespass? If you do not pay the fine, how would they go about prosecuting as MOD is not public land?

Copied from the news report;

Sgt Mark Venning said the vast majority of Salisbury Plain was owned by the MoD.

"This is an operational military training environment so this clearly presents a safety issue, but there is also the fact that 20,000 hectares of grassland on the plain have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation," he said.

"We have had reports that damage has been caused to this environment by these unauthorised vehicles and motorbikes driving across the grasslands and in the woods."

The MDP have teamed up with Wiltshire Police, the Royal Military Police, Training Area Marshalls and Landmarc Land Wardens for the crackdown.

Sgt Venning said: "MoD land on Salisbury Plain is subject to a range of by-laws which are posted on all access points so there should be no excuses for ignorance.

"These by-laws also give us powers of arrest for offences and allow us to remove vehicles and other property if they are being misused."

If you really think you would stand a chance against that lot then please feel free ,but perhaps not in a Surf methinks a Frontera might be more suitable oh and the flags are not the same as you find on the beach , definitely not safe to Surf

Access to Salisbury Plain is granted and not a right , although I am sure if more irresponsible people are caught flouting the laws then it will be shut permanently and responsible users will lose yet more byways,all because of a inconsiderate minority.

[Bogus]

or in other words.... THEY WILL F**K YOU UP............ so keep to the rules.

i dont quite understand why this argument is happening, .

and I dont understand why you think there is an argument. I must have missed a post or read it differently from you. Somebody asked a couple of questions and it appears as if he is now assumed to be one of the plebs who is busy breaking the law on Salisbury plain

[muddle]

and I dont understand why you think there is an argument. I must have missed a post or read it differently from you. Somebody asked a couple of questions and it appears as if he is now assumed to be one of the plebs who is busy breaking the law on Salisbury plain

never assumed he was a pleb. was saying it about the offenders that could lose our ability to drive the plains.

and if you offend you are a pleb.

[BUSHWHACKER]

I know that they have used a Apache to hunt down one of the more persistent offenders on a live range.

What a waste of tax payers money!
Let the feckers get shot, they won't re-offend again and it'll have more of an impact on people than some print in a local paper.

[muddle]

What a waste of tax payers money!
Let the feckers get shot, they won't re-offend again and it'll have more of an impact on people than some print in a local paper.

does anyone know the rough cost to run one of those for say a hour? just interested.

whats your choice of weapon?

[Andy Pandy]

Whilst being reasonably law abiding ,l think an Apache attack chopper a sinfull waste of public money at a time when cutbacks are putting our boys lives at risk!!!

[Chris W]

The Apache was probably on a training flight anyway and tracking a small, fast target would be damn good experience for the crew.