Car Stings

A car sting is performed by placing a Civilian vehicle in a hotspot of vehicle theft. The Civilian car will intentionally be left unlocked. Members of RPU will observe it in an unmarked vehicle. 

If a public member steals the vehicle, you will then pursue the vehicle with the usual tactics. Once the thief of the car is caught, he will be charged under Section 12, Theft Act 1968.

• Ensure it is a vehicle you can comfortably catch alone if required.

• Do not entrap civilians into stealing vehicles. Entrapment is where officers intice individuals to commit a crime that they would not have already committed. If you set someone up to sell a gun or entice them to do it when they have never advertised it, this would be considered entrapment.

• Only Perform Tactical contact in an unmarked vehicle if you are part of the Unmarked Patrol Force.

• Any RPU member may conduct a car sting.