Met police firearms

[kneepads * 0]

hi 

i am wondering if a private security company is allowed to use blue lights on vehicles on private land like festivals etc. Also what the legality on use of handcuffs with private security companies. 

[Ether + 1,401]

Blue lights anywhere where legislation considers it a road, private land or not would be unlawful.

There are no legal restrictions on carrying handcuffs, they are not an offensive weapon per se, nor do you legally require training. HOWEVER their misuse could make you liable to a number of charges for anything from assault to false imprisonment. That’s obviously not including any civil case should you misuse them 

[BlueBob + 692]

19 minutes ago, Ether said:

Blue lights anywhere where legislation considers it a road, private land or not would be unlawful.

Not sure I would go quite that far for lighting and C&U regs for example, especially if they were SORN!

[Ether + 1,401]

Just now, BlueBob said:

Not sure I would go quite that far for lighting and C&U regs for example, especially if they were SORN!

In what way? 
 

If the private land at a festival is open to the public, and constitutes a road. Surely the Vehicle Lighting Regs applies? 

[BlueBob + 692]

16 hours ago, Ether said:

In what way? 
 

If the private land at a festival is open to the public, and constitutes a road. Surely the Vehicle Lighting Regs applies? 

I'm getting at the likes of Glastonbury or other big venues where they often use SORN vehicles, and the expectations of them even being fully compiant etc, accepting cover of insurance and some other offences apply.   

[kneepads * 0]

@Ether + @BlueBob + thanks for the replies. I am just wondering how certain compaines and venue security currentley active are able to use blue lights in these sort of ways. 

[Richhamdo + 873]

On 14/02/2022 at 11:51, jha592705 said:

@Ether + @BlueBob + thanks for the replies. I am just wondering how certain compaines and venue security currentley active are able to use blue lights in these sort of ways. 

@jha592705 *  I would be taken aback and surprised  if they were using blue flashing lights without lawful authority, (or reasonable excuse)

I will stand corrected on this because is been a while but I also thought that they were only to be used by emergency vehicles, same as Ether, ie mine/ mountain rescue or maybe taking blood or kidneys by fast motor cycle to hospitals for emergency operations, that sort of thing. The reason is obvious why this is so, in that it’s no good having every Tom, Dick or Harriet using them willy nilly or whenever they see fit. It lessens in time the impact or importance of the vehicles progress, if you see what I mean.
Maybe they could use an amber light instead, I used one on my tractor when pulling wide loads many moons ago, it was very handy,Rich.

[kneepads * 0]

@Richhamdo +Thats what confuses me but there are security companies that use blue lights and also arena private security. just confused under what legisation it would be allowed 

[Richhamdo + 873]

2 hours ago, jha592705 said:

@Richhamdo +Thats what confuses me but there are security companies that use blue lights and also arena private security. just confused under what legisation it would be allowed 

I am a bit too, as we know it applies to motor vehicles used on a “road” . I have just been having a look on Google about this and can’t find any examples that would allow it, other than the usual dozen or so exemptions. There was one case in Wales mentioned where this chap had blue lights in the front of his car but he was definitely on a road, he didn’t have insurance either apparently so not a good day for him when the police spoke to him .
 

My NDM if I was still a special would certainly involve establishing first  (quietly and with discretion)that the security personnel  in question used the blue light on the vehicles whilst driving on a “road”. per se. 

Maybe   they are on private land in a factory site say, perhaps it’s the case they are involved with fire prevention. That would need to be established . Rich.

[kneepads * 0]

@Richhamdo + thanks for that. so what would the legislation be for festival sites etc if the vehicles are not sorn. So would a repsonse vehicle say for example be able to use blue light if it was repsonding to an incident say a fight etc. 

[Ether + 1,401]

4 hours ago, kneepads said:

@Richhamdo +Thats what confuses me but there are security companies that use blue lights and also arena private security. just confused under what legisation it would be allowed 

They aren’t legally able to, because they do doesn’t make it legal. 

[Ether + 1,401]

1 hour ago, kneepads said:

@Richhamdo + thanks for that. so what would the legislation be for festival sites etc if the vehicles are not sorn. So would a repsonse vehicle say for example be able to use blue light if it was repsonding to an incident say a fight etc. 

not if they are driving on any track or road that constitutes a road, regardless of being on private land if it’s open to the public. 

[Richhamdo + 873]

1 hour ago, kneepads said:

@Richhamdo + thanks for that. so what would the legislation be for festival sites etc if the vehicles are not sorn. So would a repsonse vehicle say for example be able to use blue light if it was repsonding to an incident say a fight etc. 

 

1 hour ago, kneepads said:

@Richhamdo + thanks for that. so what would the legislation be for festival sites etc if the vehicles are not sorn. So would a repsonse vehicle say for example be able to use blue light if it was repsonding to an incident say a fight etc. 

@kneepads * I’m afraid I can’t elaborate any further, my understanding for what it’s worth is that blue flashing lights used on vehicles are for the use of emergency vehicles (as defined) only, and on a road or other public place.  
I know that the car park of an agricultural show is a public place so presumably is a festival site. 
 

You may find the road vehicles lighting regs 1989 interesting to read as mentioned earlier by Blue Bob and others. In particular reg 11, part 2 (k) . Hope you find the answer but for me the regulations don’t give permission for their use except by those  mentioned. Rich.