Powers to Stop FAQs
- What gives VOSA officers the Powers to Stop?
- I recently read on a website that VOSA now have powers to stop vehicles in in a number of Police force areas is that correct?
- How many Police forces have an accreditation agreement with VOSA?
- Will it be an offence for me not to stop for a VOSA officer?
- What will happen if I don’t stop?
- How will I know how to recognise a VOSA officer?
- I have heard that VOSA will be using marked vehicles to pull vehicles over, how will I recognise these vehicles?
- What training have VOSA officers had?
- Will VOSA stop vehicles in a different way from the Police?
- I am a PSV driver, I have heard that VOSA have been stopping trucks, do these new powers apply to Passenger Vehicles?
- Will VOSA's Powers to Stop involve stopping private motorists?
- I carry high value loads, I am not supposed to stop, how should I react?
- I have heard that VOSA vehicles will be using amber lights, what is there to distinguish between a VOSA vehicle and a breakdown / rescue vehicle?
What gives VOSA officers the Powers to Stop?
The Police Reform Act 2002 allows Chief Officers of Police to accredit VOSA staff with the Power to Stop vehicles.
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I recently read on a website that VOSA now have powers to stop vehicles in in a number of Police force areas is that correct?
Yes, you are right. Several Police forces have accredited VOSA staff with the Power to Stop vehicles. The scheme frees time for Police officers to focus on reducing crime and disorder instead.
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How many Police forces have an accreditation agreement with VOSA?
There are currently thirty nine Police forces across the country, that have entered into an agreement to accredit VOSA staff and it is anticipated that, subject to agreement by Chief Officers of Police, all Police forces in England and Wales will be part of the scheme by April 2005.
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Will it be an offence for me not to stop for a VOSA officer?
Yes, Para 8 of Schedule 5 (PRA 2002) gives the accredited person the power of a constable to stop a vehicle. Also s67(9) Road Traffic Act makes it an offence not to comply with a requirement of section 67. Under s.67(3) there is a requirement to stop for a test if it is a constable in uniform who orders the vehicle to stop. The accredited person will be exercising that power, so anyone who refused to stop would be failing to comply with a requirement under s.67.
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What will happen if I don’t stop?
The details of the incident will be noted, a report will be submitted, the driver will be interviewed, consideration will be given for court action and/or a report passed to the Traffic Commissioner if you are a Vocational Driver Licence or Operator Licence holder. In addition, some Police forces have asked to be given these details.
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How will I know how to recognise a VOSA officer?
VOSA officers will wear a specific uniform which includes a high-visibility yellow jacket bearing the VOSA name and logo, this uniform has been agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and clearly defines them as VOSA staff operating under Community Safety Accreditation. In addition, the uniform has epaulettes which bear the words ‘Vehicle & Operator Services Agency’. As well as displaying the approved Community Safety Officers accreditation badge the officers will carry an official VOSA warrant.
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I have heard that VOSA will be using marked vehicles to pull vehicles over, how will I recognise these vehicles?
VOSA officers will operate using distinctly liveried vehicles, these are currently Ford Galaxy vehicles. The vehicles are conspicuously marked with Black and Yellow ‘battenburg’ to the side, Orange and Yellow chevrons on the rear panel and the VOSA logo on the bonnet, front doors and the rear quarter panels. In addition they have a roof bar with amber lights and variable matrix signing.
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What training have VOSA officers had?
They have been trained by North Wales Police in driving techniques and also stopping vehicles both on foot and using a marked vehicle.
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Will VOSA stop vehicles in a different way from the Police?
No, vehicles will be stopped in the same manner as used by the Police.
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I am a PSV driver, I have heard that VOSA have been stopping trucks, do these new powers apply to Passenger Vehicles?
Yes, these powers extend to all categories of motor vehicles including passenger vehicles.
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Will VOSA's Powers to Stop involve stopping private motorists?
VOSA’s traditional focus remains on Heavy Goods Vehicles and Passenger Vehicles but also include Light Goods Vehicles and a number of private cars. However, VOSA agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) before the Powers to Stop pilot got underway that we would not, for the time being at least, stop private cars on a "mobile" or one-to-one basis but would only do so at organised checks. This is still the case although in exceptional circumstances we will use these methods to stop private motorists.
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I carry high value loads, I am not supposed to stop, how should I react?
It is recommended by organisations such as the Tobacco Manufacturing Industry that if you are signalled to stop by an officer on foot or to follow a marked vehicle, on coming to a halt you should keep your vehicle engine running when stationary until you have satisfied yourself as to the identity of the officer. Bonafide officers should have no hesitation to produce their authority on request.
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I have heard that VOSA vehicles will be using amber lights, what is there to distinguish between a VOSA vehicle and a breakdown / rescue vehicle?
At present our vehicles are all identical and unique, which contrasts with over 50 police forces, all with slightly different liveries and a wide range of vehicles. We even have, as near as possible, matching reg marks for all the vehicles, ie they all start EU 03 M. Later vehicles will of course need to have 04 (or whatever) marks.
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Page last updated: 09/10/2006