Category: Parks Police

Small police forces are set up to patrol specific parks and open spaces.

LM23 ULX Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police Toyota BZ4X

LM23 ULX
Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police
Toyota BZ4X
The Toyota bZ4X has assumed its inaugural “blue light” public service role, joining London’s busiest parks police team. As part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s fleet, the fully liveried electric SUV now patrols over 28 parks and provides support at events like the Notting Hill Carnival. Its zero tailpipe emissions and size suitability make it an ideal replacement for the previous diesel-powered vehicle. The bZ4X is stationed at Holland Park and exclusively used for operational purposes.

WN19 PYV, WN19 PYJ, WN19 PYX Epping Forest Constables Mitsubishi Out..

WN19 PYV, WN19 PYJ, WN19 PYX
Epping Forest Constables
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
These three plug-in hybrid vehicles were new to Epping Forest in September 2019. They feature flashing lights that can show amber or blue depending on use. The vehicles can travel up to 28 miles on electric-only, fitting in with the peaceful nature of the park. Thanks to Mitsubishi for this information.

EO11 VOB, EO11 VOC Havering Parks Police Kawasaki KLX 250

EO11 VOB, EO11 VOC
Havering Parks Police
Kawasaki KLX 250
Some examples of the off road motorbikes used by the parks police service in Havering. The fleet is maintained by Essex Police despite them being owned by the London borough of Havering. The bikes carry various life-saving equipment including defibrillators, life ropes, first aid kits, folding tools and light cutting equipment.

EX61 MXK Havering Parks Constabulary Ford Ranger

EX61 MXK
Havering Parks Constabulary
Ford Ranger
This is the only four-wheeled vehicle operated by the small constabulary based in the North East London borough. The unit has been in operation in its current form since 2016 when its powers were extended. They also operate two off road motorbikes.

This image depicts the livery on the same Ford Ranger prior to the 2016 changes. The Parks Protection Team vehicle did not mention ‘police’ or ‘constabulary’ on the vehicle. The light bar displays the wording ‘parks’ and the council crest was used on the bonnet.

Hampstead Heath Constabulary Vauxhall Mokka

Hampstead Heath Constabulary
Vauxhall Mokka
This car was new to the small London constabulary in 2015. As well as being used for patrolling the heath, it carries first aid equipment including a defibrillator. This is important because the ambulance service often struggle to access the heath and then can find it difficult to navigate. The light bar has been customised to show a single blue light at night so people can see it is a police vehicle from a distance in total darkness.

Hampstead Heath Constabulary Ford Transit Connect

Hampstead Heath Constabulary
Ford Transit Connect
This 2011 dog unit is used to patrol the heath. The slogan of ‘Policing Hampstead Heath’ has been added to the front and rear because some people aren’t sure what constabulary means.

LB59 OYS Kew Constabulary Honda Accord. This car has a simple

LB59 OYS Kew Constabulary Honda Accord. This car has a simple livery of green checkers over the silver bodywork. It is a low profile vehicle to fit in with the tranquil Kew Gardens in South West London. It is not fitted with any emergency warning equipment and is the only vehicle operated by the small historic constabulary that looks after the 300 acre gardens. Kew is part of the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

KS63 VCJ Parks Police Service Dacia Duster. The Parks Police

KS63 VCJ Parks Police Service Dacia Duster. The Parks Police Service was formed by a merger of Kensington and Chelsea with Hammersmith and Fulham parks police. The service consists of 30 constables (with five sergeants and an inspector) covering 90 parks and open spaces in the two London Boroughs.

KW63 CRZ Parks Police Service Dacia Duster, sister vehicle to VCJ.

Kew Constabulary History

The Royal Botanic Gardens Constabulary (now Kew Constabulary) can trace their history back to the start of Kew Gardens. It was originally policed by the Metropolitan Police, but this changed after 1902. Ex-soldiers from the Boer War were recruited to work as gardeners from 6am to 1pm and constables from 1pm to 4pm. At this point in time, William Aiton was the Head Gardener in charge of policing.

Inspector Thwistleton Dwyer was instrumental in developing the service into a regular police force. His strict approach helped professionalise the body of men carrying out duties such as gate keeping, museum security and general paroling.

 

Police Sergeant Frederick Albert Ball. In 1977 he controlled five corporals and 34 constables in Kew Gardens. He reported to Honorary Inspector S Brookes and had a keen interest in the force’s history.

 

Sergeant Ernest Killick started work at Kew on Monday 14 November 1983 and was placed in charge of the constabulary. He had recently retired from North Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary (now part of North Yorkshire Police) after 30 years service. He took up residence in the gardens with his wife.

 

Head of Security Bob Potter with Constable Edward Ryan in 1995. Bob joined Kew in 1995 to take up the new role of Head of Security which included looking after the Constabulary. He was a Detective Chief Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police until he retired in 1994. Constable Ryan can be seen riding a new mountain bike, introduced to be faster than the previous generation of bikes. He does not have any cycle-specific clothing.

 

Constable Denis Longley worked at Kew from 1953 to 1997. When he started in the Constabulary he was paid £7 per week for working 51 hours. His duties included collecting money on the gates as well as keeping the peace. In the first part of his career there was no transport for the constables. Later came the introduction of bicycles. He is photographed here with his trusty bike on the eve of his retirement.

Images used with kind permission of The Kew Guild

Kew Constabulary Constables

Constable William Thompson is seen here guarding a cannabis plant as part of an exhibition at Kew Gardens. He is wearing the everyday uniform of the body of constables, including a Stockman hat. The uniform is very similar to the one that gardeners wear. The crest on the left breast bears the previous name of the service, the Royal Botanic Gardens Constabulary, with the current name written below.

 

Kew Constable Adele Cox is seen here carrying two cannabis plants for the same exhibition. She is wearing the blue shirt with short sleeves that carries the same force crest.

Images: RBG Kew

EA06 OUX This is a Suzuki DRZ 400 SK5 trials bike that is used …



EA06 OUX This is a Suzuki DRZ 400 SK5 trials bike that is used by the London Borough of Redbridge Parks Police Service. It is not fitted with any emergency warning equipment.



The rear view. The bike is a 400cc model and was new when the police service was formed in 2006.



The motorbike alongside its sister vehicle.

EN06 CYG This silver Ford Transit is used by Redbridge Parks Police…



EN06 CYG This silver Ford Transit is used by Redbridge Parks Police. It carries a simple blue chequered pattern down the sides and “Parks Police” wording.



The view from the rear, highlighting the tinted windows and additional brake and indicator lights on the roof.



A close up look at the light bar. Blue and amber lights can be switched on independently. The service are not trained to use blue flashing lights when on the public highway and the van is not fitted with a siren.



A look into the rear. Some seats have been removed to allow a motorbike to be carried. The wood is used as a ramp.



In this action scene the Transit is seen in use alongside a Parks Police 4×4 to assist the ambulance service in transferring a patient from an ambulance to London’s air ambulance.

LG08 KCN This is a VW Transporter in silver that…



LG08 KCN This is a VW Transporter in silver that is used by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham’s Parks Constabulary. It has police-style blue and white checkers down the sides and is fitted with an amber light bar on the roof.

EJ08 KME is a Ford Transit Connect used by Wandsworth…



EJ08 KME is a Ford Transit Connect used by Wandsworth Parks Police in London. This van is not fitted with any emergency warning equipment and is used by support officers on non-urgent duties.



The rear view of the Transit Connect. The rear portion of the van can be used for carrying large number of road cones or even a dog.

LG08 YTJ New in the summer of 2008 is this Ford…



LG08 YTJ New in the summer of 2008 is this Ford C-Max for Wandsworth Parks Police. It is decked out with a single band of battenburg and clear ‘parks police’ wording.



The rear view of the C-max, showing its high visibility markings.