Traffic Process Unit vs Camera Ticket Office

[Fullook]

I've received a NIP from West Mercia Police.

It tells me I'm alleged to have exceeded a 50 mph limit, but doesn't say by how much.

It's come from the Traffic Process Unit, rather than the Camera Ticket Office which I'm told means I was caught by an officer as opposed to by a fixed camera or camera van.

I found a number for the TPU team but they say they have a 3-4 week backlog and can't give me any information over the phone about my alleged offence - I'll have to wait until they reach my case through the backlog.

So I'm left making some assumptions, none of them good, including the assumption that an officer wouldn't bother submitting this through the process if I was only a few mph over the limit and was eligible for an awareness course or 3 points, and that I might therefore be looking at quite a lot of pain.

Anybody close to the West Mercia force able to offer any insight on whether TPU cases tend to be at the more serious end of the scale, as I'm worrying, or if I should keep a more open mind until they get in touch?

[BertBert]

What speed were you doing?

[WrekinCrew]

At this stage they are simply asking the RK to name the driver.

[Fullook]

BertBert said:

What speed were you doing?

I don't know - hence my interest in finding out some details about the alleged offence from the West Mercia force, but they weren't able (or willing) to tell me over the phone, and I'll have to wait at least 3-4 weeks for it to work through their system.

[Fullook]

WrekinCrew said:

At this stage they are simply asking the RK to name the driver.

Yep, I've done that by return post today.

[BertBert]

Fullook said:

Yep, I've done that by return post today.

Then the next correspondence from them will tell all I expect!

[iDrive]

Fullook said:

I've received a NIP from West Mercia Police.

It tells me I'm alleged to have exceeded a 50 mph limit, but doesn't say by how much.

It's come from the Traffic Process Unit, rather than the Camera Ticket Office which I'm told means I was caught by an officer as opposed to by a fixed camera or camera van.

I found a number for the TPU team but they say they have a 3-4 week backlog and can't give me any information over the phone about my alleged offence - I'll have to wait until they reach my case through the backlog.

So I'm left making some assumptions, none of them good, including the assumption that an officer wouldn't bother submitting this through the process if I was only a few mph over the limit and was eligible for an awareness course or 3 points, and that I might therefore be looking at quite a lot of pain.

Anybody close to the West Mercia force able to offer any insight on whether TPU cases tend to be at the more serious end of the scale, as I'm worrying, or if I should keep a more open mind until they get in touch?

An assumption that it must be more serious is not correct, and the source of the evidence shouldn't make any difference to either the process or the outcome.

Traffic Offence Reports submitted by Officers still result in offers of a Course.

[Fullook]

Thanks all for the replies. I'll wait and see!

[JagLad]

If your alleged speed was up to 64mph a course would normally be offered. If it was between 65 and 75mph you should be offered a fixed penalty (£100 and 3 points). Over 75mph and you will be prosecuted through the courts.