Obviously an English Copper's view.. but what do you think?
Quote
Ex-copper writes:
Hi guys, I'm new to this and really like the idea of sharing tips etc! I get my new Motorhome in a couple of weeks and plan to be a 'full-timer' for a while, so I'll definitely be looking for some help and ideas on where to stay! Poke fun if you like about me just retiring from the cops (I didn't like some of the things they do either) but having seen some of the confusion on here about (amongst other things) parking, maybe I can help a little.... Unless your vehicle is causing an obstruction or causing a danger in some way, the police have absolutely no power whatsoever to get you to move your vehicle from its overnight parking place; NONE. If you find the police knocking on your door during the night asking you to move, they are probably just sick of local residents making complaints about strangers sleeping in vehicles in their neighbourhood and using the 'ways and means act' to get you to move. A minority of overnighters may even be spoiling things by littering or being generally anti-social. I strongly suggest you deal with a knock on your door by being respectful to the cops (cops don't like stroppy people) and then get your phone out and politely visually record the contact; SERIOUSLY. Alternatively, don't answer the door and they will go away. If you do answer, ask for their name, collar number and which police station they are from. Then (politely) ask them under what authority they are acting under to ask you to move (they won't be able to answer that bit). They will then just probably waffle about complaints blah blah. You will establish at this point that they have absolutely no power to move you and you are in a position to politely decline their invitation to leave, should you wish. Also, as far as I'm aware, if a local authority sign stipulates 'No overnight sleeping' on an official parking sign, there's no such offence that I know of and it's extremely unlikely to result in you receiving a ticket (especially during the night). Unless you find yourself in the 1% of council areas that the police enforce parking, it's something that is very hard to prove, so will probably be avoided anyway. If you see a sign that simply states 'No Overnight Sleeping' and doesn't look official, it isn't and not enforceable. I can't cover every scenario in a single paragraph, so if anyone has any questions or bespoke situations about parking or 'being in charge', please feel free to ask.
Hi guys, I'm new to this and really like the idea of sharing tips etc! I get my new Motorhome in a couple of weeks and plan to be a 'full-timer' for a while, so I'll definitely be looking for some help and ideas on where to stay! Poke fun if you like about me just retiring from the cops (I didn't like some of the things they do either) but having seen some of the confusion on here about (amongst other things) parking, maybe I can help a little.... Unless your vehicle is causing an obstruction or causing a danger in some way, the police have absolutely no power whatsoever to get you to move your vehicle from its overnight parking place; NONE. If you find the police knocking on your door during the night asking you to move, they are probably just sick of local residents making complaints about strangers sleeping in vehicles in their neighbourhood and using the 'ways and means act' to get you to move. A minority of overnighters may even be spoiling things by littering or being generally anti-social. I strongly suggest you deal with a knock on your door by being respectful to the cops (cops don't like stroppy people) and then get your phone out and politely visually record the contact; SERIOUSLY. Alternatively, don't answer the door and they will go away. If you do answer, ask for their name, collar number and which police station they are from. Then (politely) ask them under what authority they are acting under to ask you to move (they won't be able to answer that bit). They will then just probably waffle about complaints blah blah. You will establish at this point that they have absolutely no power to move you and you are in a position to politely decline their invitation to leave, should you wish. Also, as far as I'm aware, if a local authority sign stipulates 'No overnight sleeping' on an official parking sign, there's no such offence that I know of and it's extremely unlikely to result in you receiving a ticket (especially during the night). Unless you find yourself in the 1% of council areas that the police enforce parking, it's something that is very hard to prove, so will probably be avoided anyway. If you see a sign that simply states 'No Overnight Sleeping' and doesn't look official, it isn't and not enforceable. I can't cover every scenario in a single paragraph, so if anyone has any questions or bespoke situations about parking or 'being in charge', please feel free to ask.