VRM on the roof?

[OutTheOffice]

Interesting thread, not something I had thought about. Whilst it is highly unlikely that the Police would send up a helicopter to find a stolen motorhome, it could be a good way to identify your van after its been pinched. Im sure most thieves would change the plates , but not many would look on the roof, so might be helpful for recovery.

 

[POH]

if some of the scrotes read this they will all know now????

 

[Two on Tour]

if some of the scrotes read this they will all know now????

Hopefully, they will fall off the roof checking.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

The inevitable cynics should keep in mind that it's not just a stolen motorhome: if seen, it's a possible route into a wider investigation of the people responsible, where they operate from and their disposal methods.

Also, if a stolen car is abandoned by thieves after pursuit by police, the typical response is a dog handler and helicopter if available. So, if a stolen van is 'running live' with the thief in it and is easy to spot from the air, it stands a good chance of getting an airborne response, particularly if it's up and about already.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

I once bought a Hymer and found a reg number on the roof in 'huge' lettering. Unfortunatly it wasn't the same as on the number plates, it had obviously had a personalised number

Geoff

Aye. Mine's on a personal plate, going to have to paint over the number if / when I sell it.

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[Trevor Wbm]

if some of the scrotes read this they will all know now????

Thought about that - if they suspect it's got a number on the roof it's obviously easy to slap a cover over it with some gaffer tape, but having to carry a ladder, get up there and do it is one more inconvenience for them that risks making noise or being seen.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

No I don't.
I can just imagine the call to plod though .....

"excuse me officer, my motorhome has been stolen, would you mind just scrambling your police helicopter to find and intercept the toerags, my tracker tells me it's headed south on the A*** "

I doubt they'd see it as a good use of rescources and I wouldn't blame them

They turn out for much lower value items.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

There is a group advertising big registration or code number on vehicle including roof. I won't promote them here but people are trying something similar with a registration process.

Aye, but that involves the police knowing the vehicle is stolen before deciding to contact the organisation, knowing who they are and waiting for the response.

With a VRM they can do it out of idle curiosity (which they describe as 'proactive policing' ), directly and quickly.

 

[dij]

Do you not watch the TV programs Police Interceptors or Motorway Cops then?

I watch Casualty on TV as well but don’t expect the same service as portrayed

 

[Trevor Wbm]

Ha ha
That comment reminded me of an old school boy joke ..


“I got picked up by the Fuzz last night”

“Oh yeah, well I got swung around by the t1ts”

Contemporary with ..

"What do you think of Dickens?"

"I don't know, I've never been to one".

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[Two on Tour]

I watch Casualty on TV as well but don’t expect the same service as portrayed

Police Interceptors or Motorway Cops are factual programs rather than the over dramatised crap passed off as entertainment and true to life.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

Good way of telling folks you are away from home

You could argue that any motorhome not on a driveway is sending that message - but with very limited and controlled access to DVLA records it doesn't help thieves much.

 

[JamesT@Dundee]

Impressed with your fleet of solar panels!

I have our van registration number on our roof.
Bought my large self adhesive ones off of eBay.

View attachment 717888

I

 

[Dorwyn]

Having had my van stolen recently, should we get another, I'll be doing that! If only in case I forget where I left it, just get the drone out!!

I did that too. Stolen last July, no one has reported back , at least to my knowledge. The thing is, if a future purchaser were to refer to the registration authorities, it won't be listed as it has been stolen. The police could find it, if they were bothered. Also, I made the mistake of fitting it longways as in the first photo, where apparently the apn gantries only read crossways. Though I can't see why, my phone would read it.

 

[Two on Tour]

where apparently the apn gantries only read crossways

I doubt the gantry ANPR's would read it if it was crossways as I was pulled over sometime back for displaying a non-compliant number plate and was told that as it was non-compliant it could not be read by ANPR.

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[Dorwyn]

TI wasoubt the gantry ANPR's would read it if it was crossways as I was pulled over sometime back for displaying a non-compliant number plate and was told that as it was non-compliant it could not be read by ANPR.

It was a compiiant numberplate, the correct size and backed. Just the wrong way round. Arguably.

 

[Barbie and Ken]

They just have to look on my drive

What if you don’t park at home

 

[Platelet]

Interesting thread, not something I had thought about. Whilst it is highly unlikely that the Police would send up a helicopter to find a stolen motorhome, it could be a good way to identify your van after its been pinched. Im sure most thieves would change the plates , but not many would look on the roof, so might be helpful for recovery.

Whilst they’re up, they don’t just focus on the A to B job. They’re police officers and are always scanning around going to and from jobs.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

Police Interceptors or Motorway Cops are factual programs rather than the over dramatised crap passed off as entertainment and true to life.

If Casualty was realistic, we'd get the 20 minute build up to the accident, then we'd watch a film whilst the ambulance turned up, watch it go to the A&E and then be asked to tune in tomorrow to watch the patient be transferred to a trolley in a corridor.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

What if you don’t park at home

I really don't get your logic. When you're away in your van there's either a gap on the drive or a gap in the storage yard and the information I'm suggesting putting on the roof is where few people will see it, but is a duplicate of what's already on the front and back which every one can see.

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[Barbie and Ken]

I really don't get your logic. When you're away in your van there's either a gap on the drive or a gap in the storage yard and the information I'm suggesting putting on the roof is where few people will see it, but is a duplicate of what's already on the front and back which every one can see.

No comment

 

[Trevor Wbm]

No comment

Ah - you've been interviewed by the police then.

 

[Barbie and Ken]

Ah - you've been interviewed by the police then.

What are them we behave ourselves

 

[Figaro]

Also, if a stolen car is abandoned by thieves after pursuit by police, the typical response is a dog handler and helicopter if available. So, if a stolen van is 'running live' with the thief in it and is easy to spot from the air, it stands a good chance of getting an airborne response, particularly if it's up and about already.

I admire your faith in our police force.
I think there would have to be another factor involved with a stolen vehicle before they would bother getting the police helicopter involved, drugs, gun / knife crime, wanted person etc.
Homophobic nasty name calling might do it too ?
A stolen motorhome, no chance.

But as you say, it costs next to nothing and if it makes you feel better it definitely worth it.
Just don't expect rapid response if if ever need to use it

 

[Trevor Wbm]

I admire your faith in our police force.
I think there would have to be another factor involved with a stolen vehicle before they would bother getting the police helicopter involved, drugs, gun / knife crime, wanted person etc.
Homophobic nasty name calling might do it too ?
A stolen motorhome, no chance.

But as you say, it costs next to nothing and if it makes you feel better it definitely worth it.
Just don't expect rapid response if if ever need to use it

OK. I'm just basing my opinion on what I know from 30 years as a police officer, some of it in command and control centres, and another 16 working in support of them at national level, which included direct involvement with the national police air service.

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[Steve and Denise]

What if you don’t park at home

Well then I’m away

 

[ianp]

I have our reg in big bold letters on the roof + 2 large circular dots approx 300mm dia in a white fluorescent plastic front and back.

what is the function of the circles etc please?

 

[Spara4042]

If Casualty was realistic, we'd get the 20 minute build up to the accident, then we'd watch a film whilst the ambulance turned up, watch it go to the A&E and then be asked to tune in tomorrow to watch the patient be transferred to a trolley in a corridor.

You missed out the bit where the Rapid Response Paramedic arrives on the scene of the roll over, where both occupants were ejected from the vehicle, then has to wait nearly 4 hours for Ambulance back up

 

[G-RMPS]

The roof of a motorhome is tiny when viewed from the air unless using a drone or flying at vey low level.

A big emblem, a circle or whatever, it easier to spot and then you can look for a more specific identifier.

Maybe paint your roof dayglo orange.

 

[Tombola]

Check the vehicle regs for the allowed positions. text size and type etc for uk number plates.

On the roof ............. are you having a laugh.

I doubt the gantry ANPR's would read it if it was crossways as I was pulled over sometime back for displaying a non-compliant number plate and was told that as it was non-compliant it could not be read by ANPR.

Which makes Clives point quite sensible

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