Everyday you see cars - loads of cars - drive down Northbrook street unchallenged. Even members of the public go up to the driver remonstrate with them. Finally I've seen a cop (well PCSO) book an errant driver. But will this preven other drivers from driving down Northbook Street outside certain times?

Presumably an example of where bollards aren't effective

Yes, one of many

The bollards at the Northern entrance to Northbrook Street aren't operational at present due to road works.

However the rules regarding semi-pedestrianisation still apply.

Can PCSO's issue a fine or just a warning?

As far as I am aware they can issue warnings; I was close enough to hear him say about the fine he is getting.

I wasn't aware that PCSOs had the authority to stop a vehicle...

Yes... I've also seen one detain a suspect.

They don't but if you're daft enough to stop for one, they can call for their mates to come and do the "nicking/fining". I guess anyone can do a citizens arrest, again though, you'd have to let them.

The trouble with that theory Strafin was that this PCSO was on his own when he issued a ticket to this motorist.

They can give out penalty notices I believe; but my point was that they don't have the authority to stop you per se. So if you stop they can give you a ticket, if you don't they can't. I'm sure they would probably report you though.

OK, fair point. He probably was issuing you 'penalty notice.'

They don't. It would be interesting to know if they stood in front of your car to stop to moving (whilst waiting for the proper Police to turn up) whether they could be prosecuted themselves for obstruction.

No proper police turned up. He issued the fine by himself.

They have a power to direct traffic...... so if at a road closure they instruct you to stop and turn around you must do so. So you could argue that they have a power to stop a vehicle driving in a pedestrian area. They do not have a power under section 163 Road traffic Act. They could not stop you in a police vehicle whilst your vehicle is moving along.



http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/join-pcso-about


see here.

You will see that most have a traffic label somewhere on there uniform which means they can issue certain non endorsable tickets.

Oh no GMR. You must read this post and it's link. Read the 4th bullet point down on "PCSO" uniform. It seems to quite clearly say "shoulder number"! Ohhhhh noooooo!

Of course it is called a shoulder number... I never said it wasn't called that. But it is also called the other as well.

Ummm GMR please see the quote below that I have just taken from one of your many heated debates Stroud Green Trees post #75


"Sorry... I should have said epaulette number ... not shoulder number actually... the only thing is police officers don’t call them shoulder number but epaulette numbers; curious you should say ‘shoulder number.’"

This seems to imply that you did say that it wasn't called a 'shoulder number'. Am I being a little pedantic maybe? But I do love to catch people out.

oops

There is nothing wrong with being a little pedantic or even largely pedantic my friend.... it is all part of the chase. And if you feel you've caught me out then my hat goes off to you my dear

As for 'epaulette numbers' or 'shoulder numbers' I can only speak as I find or what I am told. Even my daughters boyfriend refers to them as epaulette should numbers. Granted he has only started out and is going through his training. That is why I took my enquiry further afield and higher up the food chain. Beyond that I can say no more.

Out of interest, why would someone become a PCSO and not a Special?