AN UNMARKED HGV is the latest weapon in Surrey Police's ongoing battle with dangerous driving.
For seven days last week, the anonymous truck travelled the M25 from Godstone to Cobham, giving officers a unique perspective on drivers' bad habits on the busy stretch of road.
The truck, which gives officers a bird's eye view of motorists and allows them to see into lorry cabs, is manned by a driver with a supporting officer who has a video camera to record any wrongdoing.
The pair are supported by up to two unmarked police cars and two police bikes travelling in close proximity.
Officers are particularly focusing on drivers not wearing seatbelts, or who are using their phone at the wheel.
Once the officers aboard the HGV spot the crime, their colleagues move in to stop the driver, who can face immediate fines of up to £100 and three points on their licence.
PC Chris Schultze, who led the operation, said: "This is something Surrey Police has never done; we have been looking at doing something like this for a couple of years but it never took off."
He added: "As a country, we are really strict about who we give firearm licences to, but there are millions of driving licences out there and you are potentially in a killing machine when you get in a car or lorry if you are not paying attention."
The week-long operation is the start of a three-month trial by the Highways Agency with different police forces. If the scheme is deemed a success it could be rolled out nationwide.
The scheme provided early results for the force, with one lorry driver stopped for not wearing his seatbelt.
Out on the road, PC Gary French and PC Patrick Parker are one of the teams following the lorry.
PC French said: "Believe it or not, just after lunch is a very busy time for us; people become lazy on the road or they make that call or forget to put their belt on."
We joined the officers on the road for an hour. During that time the pair pulled over two cars – one driver was using her phone, the other was not wearing a belt.
Drivers' licences are checked by officers once they are stopped and they face either a fine and points, or some are eligible for a driver safety course.
When the Mirror went to press the final figures for Surrey Police's week with the HGV were not available.
