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Undercover cops have come under fire after this unmarked van, hiding a speed camera, was spotted on a quiet country road in Wyre.
The van was caught snapping motorists and bikers on the A586 in St Michael's, near Garstang.
Road safety bosses in the county claim it was part of a "well publicised drive" to catch people shattering the 50mph speed limit.
But motorists and bike enthusiasts in the area have said: "This takes the biscuit."
One furious driver, Kevin Morley, was so incensed by the spy van that he confronted the officer holed up in the back.
Mr Morley said: "I didn't really believe my eyes. Was this really a Hertz rental van, parked on a clearway, back door open, a green blanket stretched across and a speed camera operating – surely not.
"But yes, it was, and manned by a most defensive officer who fully supported this new covert method of operation, but reassured me 'I'd be fine', because they were on a weekend blitz of motorcyclists.
"I told him I was a motorcyclist, and an advanced driver, and deeply resented this ongoing hounding of motorists and motorcyclists.
"I consider myself to be an honest and law-abiding citizen, but really, this does take the biscuit."
Lancashire Police originally said that only fully marked-up vehicles were used to zap speeding motorists from the roadside.
But it was later admitted by the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety, who work hand in hand with the constabulary to catch people breaking the speed limit, that the van was part of an undercover operation.
Project manager for the Partnership Ian Bell said: "Yes, the van was there to catch motorists breaking the speed limit, but this is something we have spent thousands of pounds publicising.
"This year, there has been an incredible increase in the number of motorcyclists killed in high speed accidents. There have been 14 so far, compared to four last year, and many of these have been in high-speed accidents.
"The undercover vehicles are there to catch people who are travelling well over the speed limit.
"We have caught more than 100 motorcyclists and drivers who were travelling at excessive speeds, and were talking 100mph plus on some occasions, and 135mph in one case.
"All these people will go straight to court and any fines will not be paid to the police, but will go straight to the Government.
"I should stress that this is not a campaign just against motorbike owners.
"We are trying to make the roads safer for all users, and if this campaign saves just one life, then it will have been worth it."
Road safety bosses have been heavily criticised this year, for defending speed camera vans which park illegally to catch drivers.
*A spokesman for the AA said: "I think everybody wants safer roads and we all appreciate that if we are caught speeding we will face the consequences.
"The police are entitled to use whatever means they feel necessary to catch speeding motorists, but I think they risk losing the public confidence if they are seen to be using underhand or sly methods."
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 13 C to 27 C
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