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dice promise not to desert VI checks

27th February 1997
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Page 4, 27th February 1997 — dice promise not to desert VI checks
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

by Karen Miles • The Vehicle Inspectorate and the police have signed an agreement which should reduce cases of roadside checks being cancelled because police officers are called away to other jobs.

The code of conduct, which has been signed by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the VI, should also reduce the number of wasted hours suffered by VI staff when police fail to turn up at checks.

Although things have improved over the past year, the VI had complained that it was still losing about 300 wasted manhours a month. Under the new deal, police forces will no longer be able to scupper a VI check by sending staff to other nonemergency duties. The VI needs a police officer to be present because only the police have the legal power to stop drivers.

"With this agreement the police are less able to cry off and change the programme at the last moment, leaving us with examiners stuck doing nothing at the roadside," says VI deputy chief executive Julian David. "Our staff will be able to do more investigative and productive work."

The number of roadside checks is not expected to change from the 7,500 held last year.

Under the agreement VI headquarters will give each of the forces in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland six months' notice of the required level of roadside checks. Local VI staff will confirm details closer to the inspection time.

Once agreed, police absence will be restricted to emergency matters: "There will be no more 'I'm just off to court' excuses," says an ACP() spokesman.


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