Police turned up at my door, asking to borrow my car
Discussion
A few days back, two plain-clothed officers knocked on my door and asked to speak to me about my car to help an investigation. Emphasised that my particular car was not part of the investigation, but that of a very similar spec, that they would like to evaluate for 'measurements and specifications'. They were very vague about the details of what they needed to do and why, but said they'd need to take the car away for a couple of hours to examine. They said what they'd do would not void any warranty and they wouldn't dismantle the car in any way.
It's nothing special, a 2020 A4, so I asked why they couldn't go to Audi? They surely have plenty they could lend. But they said something along the lines of "we don't know the individuals we'd be dealing with at Audi, so we find local people without criminal records who may be willing to help".
They emphasised throughout the conversation that there is no obligation to say yes, and that they know it sounds very dodgy, and I could call the local station to verify their request etc. After telling them that I'm not comfortable with their ask, I did just that, and the police station confirmed that their names/ID numbers matched and that they believe the visit was genuine.
So, just curious if anyone experienced anything like this before, or if anyone knows exactly why they'd need a civilian's car to help with an unrelated investigation?
It's nothing special, a 2020 A4, so I asked why they couldn't go to Audi? They surely have plenty they could lend. But they said something along the lines of "we don't know the individuals we'd be dealing with at Audi, so we find local people without criminal records who may be willing to help".
They emphasised throughout the conversation that there is no obligation to say yes, and that they know it sounds very dodgy, and I could call the local station to verify their request etc. After telling them that I'm not comfortable with their ask, I did just that, and the police station confirmed that their names/ID numbers matched and that they believe the visit was genuine.
So, just curious if anyone experienced anything like this before, or if anyone knows exactly why they'd need a civilian's car to help with an unrelated investigation?
An acquaintance of mine used to work as an investigator for (I think it was) the DVSA in the dim and distant past and she said something similar to this. They would usually be looking for cut-and-shuts, ringers or rebuilt cars which shouldn't be on the road.
Occasionally they would borrow a car from a garage forecourt or a MoP in order to have it stood alongside a suspect car. They could then compare stuff like the exact way the seam sealant was applied, what sort of cable clips were used and where, and even which bits should have white sticky grease on them.
Occasionally they would borrow a car from a garage forecourt or a MoP in order to have it stood alongside a suspect car. They could then compare stuff like the exact way the seam sealant was applied, what sort of cable clips were used and where, and even which bits should have white sticky grease on them.
littleredrooster said:
An acquaintance of mine used to work as an investigator for (I think it was) the DVSA in the dim and distant past and she said something similar to this. They would usually be looking for cut-and-shuts, ringers or rebuilt cars which shouldn't be on the road.
Occasionally they would borrow a car from a garage forecourt or a MoP in order to have it stood alongside a suspect car. They could then compare stuff like the exact way the seam sealant was applied, what sort of cable clips were used and where, and even which bits should have white sticky grease on them.
Interesting, thanks - doesn't quite justify their reasoning for not going straight to Audi though (maybe from experience they've been told a stern "bugger off" so skip that step now).Occasionally they would borrow a car from a garage forecourt or a MoP in order to have it stood alongside a suspect car. They could then compare stuff like the exact way the seam sealant was applied, what sort of cable clips were used and where, and even which bits should have white sticky grease on them.
Oceanrower said:
Thanks - interesting read!North West Tom said:
Interesting, thanks - doesn't quite justify their reasoning for not going straight to Audi though (maybe from experience they've been told a stern "bugger off" so skip that step now).
It may just be that there isn't a 2020 A4 in that colour on a forecourt locally.North West Tom said:
Interesting, thanks - doesn't quite justify their reasoning for not going straight to Audi though (maybe from experience they've been told a stern "bugger off" so skip that step now).
More likely that they don t trust people at the dealership to keep a secret. Ask one person say the principle if he takes a car off the forecourt others ask why, or he tells someone else because it sounds exciting and word spreads round the dealership. Someone from the dealership then tells their mates down the pub and before you know it mr dodgy finds out police are looking into a car same make and model as his.
There s always a risk still with a member of the public but the risk is lower.
Edited by Jamescrs on Sunday 22 February 17:58
Oceanrower said:
I'm glad you posted that. I genuinely thought I was having a bout of Deja Vu. Foss62 said:
ChocolateFrog said:
How much do they pay?
Otherwise the answer would be absolutely not.
Why? Unless you are firmly of a criminal persuasion, surely it s in everyone s best interest to help the Police with this sort of thing?Otherwise the answer would be absolutely not.
Caddyshack said:
Foss62 said:
ChocolateFrog said:
How much do they pay?
Otherwise the answer would be absolutely not.
Why? Unless you are firmly of a criminal persuasion, surely it s in everyone s best interest to help the Police with this sort of thing?Otherwise the answer would be absolutely not.
I used to do a bit of this for the police, through a research job I had early in my career. Mainly identifying cars from grainy CCTV, working out models/specs/distinguishing features. Usually for quite serious crimes (armed robbery, murder etc)
Grizzliest one involved a murder where police believed the deceased (found in car) hadn’t driven it there themselves. They were reviewing the case years after it happened. Found an identical, fairly uncommon car, and did comparative measurements from SOC photos to identical car to work out if the seat was where it would be for someone short/tall. Interesting work. You never hear the outcome
Grizzliest one involved a murder where police believed the deceased (found in car) hadn’t driven it there themselves. They were reviewing the case years after it happened. Found an identical, fairly uncommon car, and did comparative measurements from SOC photos to identical car to work out if the seat was where it would be for someone short/tall. Interesting work. You never hear the outcome
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