Someone I know had their window tints ripped out by the police, including the rear window tints. Are the police really allowed to do that, surely that is criminal damage? Or is it a case of the police are above the law again?

Cheers

Don't think they are allowed. They have to issue a correct notice/non-compliance notice/vehicle defect (not sure exactly what it's called). Should be no reason at all to touch the rears at all though so your friend could possiblly claim compensation or even have them charged.

They could also declare the vehicle as unsafe and not be driven any further.

Got to agree I would say that smelt of criminal damage IMHO

Ok I understand the whole not legal to drive if the tints are too dark, but surely that doesn't give them the right to damage your car?

I think I'd best advice the person in question to seek some legal advice on the matter.

Thanks

But, of course, remember that the police farce ARE above the law!!

Nothing the police can do about anything from the B pillar back - it sounds like criminal damage !!!!

As legal advice is expensive and you/they would need to find a solicitor knowledgeable, why not give the AA or RAC a ring first (assuming there's nothing on their websites)? Just a thought.

Mo

from my understanding only the windscreen has to be untouched by tinting ( except for the first 10cm that can act as a sun sheald), the front windows can only be 30% tinted as the law states that 70% light must be allowed through.

As for the back window and the rear side windows, ask your self if its illegal to have them tinted how can a transit van have no rear window and side windows? or even the astra van's.

as long as you have wing mirrors that are not damaged you dont have to use the interior mirror, so i i was you id go down to your local C.A.B and get some advice.

As long as the windscreen and the front driver/ passenger meet the requirements you SHOULD be able to have the backs and rear as dark as you want. In terms of visability the vehicle is treated as a van and both wing mirrors must be working. How many transit vans have no rear or side windows? Nearly all of them I expect.

Cheers

Lee

A question from the FAQ's of a tinting company

How dark can I have my windows tinted?

UK Law states that 70% of light must pass through the driver and passenger windows. This effectively means that we cannot apply tinted film to this glass but we can apply clear security and/or UV film. There are no restrictions to the rest of the car.

All tinting companies seem to say the same thing

In any case - the police as far as I am aware can tell you to stop driving the vehicle, but they do not have the right to modify the vehicle.

Definitely not right, get legal advise for sure

If you want, you can paint black gloss paint all over the inside of your glass, from the B pillar back.... If he was driving a van, would they have taken an angle grinder and hacked out some 2 foot squares in it where the rear windows would be in a car?!

In my opinion its criminal damage, and should go for compensation + costs of tinting again! f*** them over! :grumpy:

Cheers people, the person in question was a young lass, so I'm guessing they took the P one five five because of her sex and age.

I'll advice her to seek some legal advice in the form of the CAB or alike.

Cheers guys n gal

Traffic isn't my strongest point, but if it's the rear windows then there's nothing that the police can do. If it were the front windows they could declare the vehicle un-roadworthy and you'd not be allowed to drive it until it had been made roadworthy again (by removing the tint), however in all but the most 'serious' cases (where the windows are so dark that they can't see out without winding the window down - It does happen, I've seen it!) then you'd probably get a VDRS (14 days to repair and get the form stamped by an MOT tester) or a FPN (fixed penalty notice).

Removing the tint, front or rear, without the consent of the owner would be an offence - Criminal Damage. It's considered fairly serious and as such is an Arrestable Offence which ANY PERSON can arrest for - technically your mate could have nicked them when she saw them doing it... That said, that CS spray is oh so close to the officer's hand.... I wouldn't risk it :P

EDIT: Just to add... Two sides to every story don't forget, and I could be wrong too...

Someone I know had their window tints ripped out by the police' date=' including the rear window tints. Are the police really allowed to do that, surely that is criminal damage? Or is it a case of the police are above the law again?

Cheers[/quote']

Would be nice if you kept us informed of the out come on this, so we know where we stand in future

its wasn't the fashion police wasit?

It too is my understanding that B pillar back can be however dark you want.

Regarding the fronts, a friend of mine was pulled over for dark tints. They used a light meter and the only let 35% light through. They gave him the choice of compounding the vehicle or using their scraper to scrape the tint of himself... Needless to say he opted for the latter

This way seems firm but fair to me...

Any sensible poice officer surely wouldn't remove the tint themselves? Leaving themselves wide open for accusations...