Documenting UK emergency vehicles past and present

NX09 AMU This is a Ford Transit support vehicle…



NX09 AMU This is a Ford Transit support vehicle used by North Yorkshire. It carries no blue lights, but a simple band of battenburg down each side. Adverts for Crimstoppers, the force’s non-emergency telephone number and the force website are shown too.

LC07 OGF and LC07 OGB are a BMW 330D and…



LC07 OGF and LC07 OGB are a BMW 330D and a 530D which are both with the Regional Roads Policing Team which has been set up to deny criminals the use of the roads and tackle offenders who cross force boundaries to commit crimes. It was formed in September 2008, taking officers from the North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Humberside forces.

This photograph shows a Volvo V70 2.5 FlexiFuel…



This photograph shows a Volvo V70 2.5 FlexiFuel Turbo 200bhp police car. The V70 2.5FT produces 300Nm of torque and has a top speed of 130mph. FlexiFuel is one of Volvo’s latest innovations which allow cars to run on E85, a fuel that consists of 85% bioethanol and 15% regular petrol.



The rear view of the V70. The flexi-fuel system does not compromise on performance, and the car will still accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 7.6 seconds.

FJ08 LBA This is a Skoda Octavia that is…



FJ08 LBA This is a Skoda Octavia that is in service with Leicestershire Police. Notice the blue lights at four different heights when viewed from the front (roof, dashboard, grille, bumper) and the orange stripes running down the edge of the bonnet.

CU04 AOH is a black Land Rover Discovery belonging…



CU04 AOH is a black Land Rover Discovery belonging to North Yorkshire police. This is one of a number of such vehicles the force operates. Marked-up in 2008, their previous role was unmarked vehicles to be used day-to-day by senior officers. The remnants of this can be seen by the small hidden blue lights in the front grille.



The rear view of the Discovery, with a similar vehicle in the background. Notice the small matrix sign in the rear window that shows ‘police’.

BL57 FFR is a Land Rover Discovery 3 decked…



BL57 FFR is a Land Rover Discovery 3 decked out in generic police markings. It is fitted with a clear light bar on the roof and small led clusters around the vehicle’s bodywork.



The rear view of the Discovery.

YJ05 ABU During 2008 North Yorkshire Police added adverts…



YJ05 ABU During 2008 North Yorkshire Police added adverts to the rear of suitable vehicles. The “altn8” message asks readers to alternate drinks with soft drinks, nights out with nights in and your lifestyle. The brightly coloured adverts can be seen here on the back of a Peugeot Expert.

G430 VBP This Land Rover Defender is with Hampshire…



G430 VBP This Land Rover Defender is with Hampshire Police. It has been heavily armoured, with thicker glass for the windows, thick metal bodywork and other modifications to strengthen and reinforce. Note the absence of any obvious blue lights.

SY55 BZE This is a Honda FES 125 scooter…



SY55 BZE This is a Honda FES 125 scooter that is used by Northern Police’s traffic wardens to get about.



The rear view of the 125 scooter. It carries a high-visibility colour scheme and small ‘traffic warden’ signs.

LX55 FGF This is a Vauxhall Vectra which is…



LX55 FGF This is a Vauxhall Vectra which is used by London’s Met Police. It is the sporty SRI CDTI model with automatic transmission. Notice the black spot on the fuel flap to remind the driver it takes diesel.

LX06 EUA This DAF truck is used by the…



LX06 EUA This DAF truck is used by the Metropolitan Police to transport offending vehicles. It is fitted with blue and amber flashing lights, and carries an adapted version of the standard Met livery.

VX57 NNT is one of two Ford Focuses shown…



VX57 NNT is one of two Ford Focuses shown here that are also with Gloucestershire Constabulary. It has a simplified version of the force crest on the bonnet and a single band of battenburg down the sides. Notice the different lightbars on the otherwise identical vehicles.

MX07 UVJ is a Ford Focus belonging to GMP…



MX07 UVJ is a Ford Focus belonging to GMP. It has a simple blue and yellow striped band down each side and the force’s mission statement: “fighting crime, protecting people”. It is one of the vehicles used at the driving school.