jimgriff
24th Jan 2005, 07:44
A report has been received that two traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an unusual incident whilst checking for speeding motorists on the A1 Great North Road between Oldhamstocks and Grantshouse.
Last May, they were using a hand-held radar device to trap unwary motorists on the Edinburgh to London trunk road. One of the unnamed officers used the device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill. He was somewhat surprised to find that the speed recorded was off the scale, in excess of 300 mph. The machine had then seized up and could not be reset by the bemused PCs.
The radar had in fact latched onto a NATO Tornado aircraft in the North Sea, which was taking part in a low flying exercise over The Borders and Southern Scotland.
Following a complaint by Sir William Sutherland, Chief Constable of Lothian & Borders police to the RAF Liaison Office, it was revealed that the officers could be classed as 'very fortunate'! The tactical computer on board the Tornado had not only detected and jammed the hostile radar equipment, but had automatically armed an ALARM anti radar missile, ready to neutralise the perceived threat. Luckily the pilot was alerted to the missile status and was able to over-ride the automatic protection system before the missile launched.
The Police have so far declined to comment, although it is understood that officers will be advised to point the radar guns inland, in future.
Last May, they were using a hand-held radar device to trap unwary motorists on the Edinburgh to London trunk road. One of the unnamed officers used the device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill. He was somewhat surprised to find that the speed recorded was off the scale, in excess of 300 mph. The machine had then seized up and could not be reset by the bemused PCs.
The radar had in fact latched onto a NATO Tornado aircraft in the North Sea, which was taking part in a low flying exercise over The Borders and Southern Scotland.
Following a complaint by Sir William Sutherland, Chief Constable of Lothian & Borders police to the RAF Liaison Office, it was revealed that the officers could be classed as 'very fortunate'! The tactical computer on board the Tornado had not only detected and jammed the hostile radar equipment, but had automatically armed an ALARM anti radar missile, ready to neutralise the perceived threat. Luckily the pilot was alerted to the missile status and was able to over-ride the automatic protection system before the missile launched.
The Police have so far declined to comment, although it is understood that officers will be advised to point the radar guns inland, in future.