Big KFE, Fife’s most famous undercover police car, will head for the garage in the sky later this year after years of service.
The legendary cop car went viral in Fife in the last year, with spotters sharing its location after spotting the memorable number plate.
It rose to prominence after pictures were shared by Fife Jammer Locations, a Facebook page that shares the location of speed cameras.
A #BigKFE hashtag was borne and was even adopted by traffic police as they promoted their work on social media.
Just a car driving about Fife, catching criminals, eating donuts and drinking coffee
And the anonymous administrator behind the Fife Jammer Locations page said they might even pick up the car at auction.
Explaining how the car came to be famous, the face behind Fife Jammer Locations said: “Because of our online actions, we received constant messages about a grey unmarked 3 series going about.
“It was just luck that its plate made it easy to name.”
The page would often receive hundreds of messages a day about Big KFE’s whereabouts.
The car’s followers even set up a fan page on Twitter, with one parody account’s biography reading: “Just a car driving about Fife, catching criminals, eating donuts and drinking coffee.”
Big KFE is sure to be missed, with one local even penning a poem in tribute to the crimefighting motor.
#BigKFE and #FifeRP were out in support of #OpSanith and the National Speeding Campaign this W/end. As a result two drivers were found drug driving. Pending analysis they and could lose their licence. #RoadSafety #Fatal5
For info on law and penalties https://t.co/cZrld57hMo pic.twitter.com/y9g8x2DpFf
— Road Policing Scotland (@polscotrpu) August 2, 2021
After Police Scotland started using the hashtag, Fife Jammer Locations said it was good to see them taking part in the fun.
“It’s good to see Police Scotland engaging online with current trends.
“Trying to show their less serious side now and again.”
And the page thinks police should see the positive side to its work, adding: “I believe some people within Police Scotland enjoy our content.
“I have spoken to a few officers who enjoy our posts.
“Some officers are able to see the funny side of it and understand that our actions contribute to people driving more carefully and slower.”
Announcing that all good things come to an end, Police Sergeant Colin Morrison told The Courier the car would soon retire.
Sergeant Morrison, who began using the hashtag on Police Scotland’s social media, said the car had been at the forefront of making Fife’s roads safer.
Big KFE to retire
He added: “BigKFE joined the road policing team in Fife in 2015 with an important role on patrol, including responding to reports of collisions and just this past weekend supporting Police Scotland’s National Speeding Campaign.
“We were delighted when BigKFE became a social media star and we decided to use #BigKFE in our own Road Policing Scotland Twitter messaging which has added to the vehicle’s popularity but also allows us to deliver important messages about road safety.”
And despite how well known the unmarked car is, and how often its location is shared on social media, police said it still catches criminals.
Remember Logan? Well thanks to a certain Facebook page delivering his prize to #FifeRP, the #BigKFE was able to deliver his prize winning Easter egg!
We're glad to report he's doing well.#DontKnowWhyWeBlurredIt#KeepingPeopleSafe pic.twitter.com/But2z4Hlg3
— Road Policing Scotland (@polscotrpu) March 18, 2021
PS Morrison said: “Despite being so well known in Fife, BigKFE still gets results – catching a disqualified driver on a motorcycle last week who was in possession of £800 worth of cocaine and in June dealing with a 25-year-old man driving at 130 to 140 mph on the A92 after a car meet.
“But all good things do come to an end, and BigKFE is looking ahead to retirement later this year. But until then we will all be working hard to continue helping to keep the roads and people of Fife safe.”
The administrator of Fife Jammers said they will be sad to see the vehicle go out of service.
“I will have no idea what unmarked car to look for now.
“Icing on the cake would be purchasing Big KFE when he retires at the auction.”