Beware of the 'Black Rat'

C.E.O Age : 37 Location : Lewisham

With all this talk about undercover police on bikes i thought it would be handy for some to know about the Black Rat decal.

The Black Rat is the official 'unofficial' trade mark of the traffic officer. However a lot of officers now have these on their car.

Having this sticker on the rear windscreen may help the unsuspecting officer know you are on the same side,

The sticker is not a legal sign or the equivalent of a warrant card, so anyone could have this sticker on their windscreen.

Be careful which one you buy though. The one that is recognised is the round version that sticks to the inside of the windscreen, not the one that is stuck to the outside.

Unfortunately GATSO doesnt recognise the sticker, so you will still have to drive slowly near speedcamera's!!!

These stickers have become devalued by their availability, mainly through eBay.

There used to be a time (so I'm told) when if you saw a car with a Black Rat sticker on you knew that it was going to be a bobby and more likley a traffic bobby. That meant that you shouldn't be surprised to see it out and about at strange times of day or shouldn't get concerned to see it parked near a police station for a long time. Alsok you knew that there was very little point in stopping it to check it for a routine document check. The stickers do not, and never have, got people off offences.

As they are so easily available now though, and anyone can buy them on eBay they've got no point and all it's done has meant that bobby's get stopped more often as you never know if it's a bobby or not with the sticker in the window. I must admit that I'm suspicious of members of the public who have this kind of sticker in their car as I wonder what other motive they could have other than trying to get off with offences, so they get checked more thoroughly!

I would not personally recommend having one of these on your bike as not only do i not think it will help you but i think it could land you in alot more hastle plus the fact that you will be targeted by criminals as you will be advertising the fact that you are supposidly an officer of the law.

These could have positive or negative effects so its down to you, it is not an offense but is it really worth it?

My reason for posting this is because of all of the undercover police officers on bikes. So if you do see a bike with this black rat sticker on... BEWARE!!

They DO NOT just ride triumphs, they have R1's, GSXR's, and even the new Blade and a Harley Davidson so be careful as you never know who is riding behind you!!

Beware of the 'Black Rat' B328_1

Vested Member Age : 114 Location : ME8 (medway towns)

my uncle was a cop for about 30 years and told me about the black rats. he have me a sticker but I lost it so never put it anywhere. but like you id be worried with leaving the car/bike anywhere as well. he also said that when you get pulled over they'll ask where you got the sticker from and if your not a cop who do you know that is and where.

Forum Member Age : 35 Location : Croydon

I ... erm someone i know who is very close to me ... has this sticker on my.. errrr they're helmet Smile

this person is not a copper

Prospect Age : 33 Location : Wallington

I've always had one of those on the back of my RS. Never had any problems what so ever.

Forum Member Age : 31 Location : Guildford

Im getting some Twisted Evil