Powers to Stop
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) enforcement staff are currently being accredited with the power to stop vehicles for roadside spot checks. In the past, Police officers always had to be present during spot checks as only they had the authority to stop vehicles.
The Police Reform Act 2002 allows Chief Constables to accredit VOSA staff with the power to stop goods and passenger vehicles. VOSA started to pilot the new powers from late 2003 in 6 areas, involving Greater Manchester, Metropolitan, Northumbria, North Wales, Cambridgeshire and Staffordshire Police forces. Subject to agreement by individual Chief Constables, the Power to Stop scheme is now ready to be rolled out to the other 36 forces in England & Wales over the next 12 months.
The Association of Chief Police Offices (ACPO), Department for Transport (DfT), the Home Office and the trade associations have supported the accreditation of VOSA staff:
"The previous method of working was not always an efficient use of police time and meant VOSA staff were reliant on the availability of uniformed officers to carry out checks. This new agreement now means Traffic officers can concentrate on their core policing duties of casualty reduction and tackling crime and disorder." - Inspector Steve Wilson of the Met’s Traffic Operational Command Unit
VOSA officers will operate using distinctly liveried Ford Galaxies with yellow & black battenburg side markings, yellow & orange chevrons at the rear and a roof bar with amber lights & variable matrix signing. They have been independently assessed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and trained in driving and stopping vehicles by North Wales Police. The officers will be confined to using marked vehicles, they will also use the ‘stand & stop’ method to stop and direct vehicles into a check-site.
For more information, please contact the VOSA National Number - 0300 123 9000
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