Living in a van might seem like a dream come true but this style of life often comes with a few fables which everyday home dwellers dont seem to come across. Moving from place to place often means van lifers come in contact with the police. There are many ways to approach a UK police officer where being polite and curtious is often the best route for conversations.
But what if the police are bothering you in the early hours of the morning? Or what if a complaint has been made about you and your van parking somewhere it shouldn’t (on private land without permission) or if you are in a residential area or where there are business premises and industrial estates? Well considering that if you do live in a van full time then you have no fixed address and are considered by those who own homes in the area to be a menace, even a tramp or vagabond, without a residential address in the UK the police are likely to want to talk to you about why you are parked where you are and they may also wish to know your movements. However should you engage? Should you be forced to talk to a police officer to explain yourself?
Here are some top tips if you dont want to talk to an officer of the law – remember though – we do suggest that being polite and answering their questions the best route of action however you do not need to providing that you are not committing any offences.
Although this is not gospel advice it has been known to work for many other van lifers who are getting nudged by the UK police….
What to Do When a Copper Knocks on your Van (If you dont want to talk to them)
Police knocked on my van once and I poked my head out and said hello constable, how can I help.
He asked what I was doing there and do I live in the van (was in a layby off a main road).
I said have I committed a crime sir, if so can you tell me what it is and how I’m involved.
He said no I’m just checking no crime has been committed.
I said “ok, it doesn’t work like that, you have a nice night, goodbye” and went back inside.
The officer sat in the car with his partner for about ten minutes (probably checking my plates for vehicle legality) then left.
If you’re not blocking a public highway and causing other road users to be in danger then they can’t tell you to move (unless you’re on private land and the landowner has asked for you to move). Well, they can, but you don’t have to, just say no and go back inside. If the engine isn’t running and you weren’t seen driving it then you don’t have to tell them your name or engage in any sort of conversation.
Don’t be argumentative or uncouth about it as they’ll try and pull some sort of public order rubbish on you, just be polite and say the above and end the convo there.
If the police continue to knock?
If they continue knocking poke your head out with your phone on record and ask for their badge numbers as well as what station they come from and tell them you are now filming and they are causing you alarm and distress and continuing this course of behaviour will amount to them committing the criminal offence of harassment that comes under Section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
They’ll soon leave you alone because as much as they like to think they are sometimes, they are not above the law
