JYE 995N An example of one of London’s Salvage Corps Mercedes vans. This is marked as a damage control unit. Sliding doors on each side allow access to the rear part of the cab, you then step through to the front section to drive it. They also used sister vehicle JYE 996N. Both were sold to the Singapore Fire Brigade in 1979 where they continued their frontline service until 1992.
J25555 This is a preserved Morris Oxford ambulance car. It is a 1.6 litre model that was new in 1969. The mileage is very low at just 12,500 miles, partly because it was based on the island of Jersey.
Another view of the Morris. The signage shows it was part of St. John Ambulance Brigade.
A closer look at the emergency warning light on the roof mounted on top of a specially crafted roof box.
J4392 This St. Helier Fire Brigade Albion Merryweather fire engine dates from 1934. When new this machine would have cost £1500.
The rear view of the wheeled-escape fire engine, including trailer pump. While two crew sat at the front, the rest of the men would sit down each side and hold on tight!
PGW 834L An Austin 1100. This preserved police car is seen here attracting the attention of passing Londoners, bringing them towards a police crime prevention roadshow.
The rear view of the crowd puller.
M859 AWS Here is a Vauxhall Senator 24v traffic car that was in use by Avon and Somerset here in 1995. It is posed on the Second Severn Crossing just prior to it opening.
This is a horse-drawn fire appliance built by Hadley Simpkin. It provided fire cover for the small Lincolnshire village of Redbourne.
A look at the side of this very old vehicle.
The old fire station in Redbourne that dates from 1733. The preserved appliance still lives here.
YJ61 FVA A 2012 BMW 330D in Authorities specification. This three-litre roads policing vehicle is used by North Yorkshire Police as part of the ANPR Intercept Team.
Another look at the car. The overt ‘intercept team’ graphics are intended to scare evading drivers into pulling over.
A look at the car from the rear.
The rear view, highlighting the effectiveness of the variable message sign.
RV07 XPC A Wiltshire Police Officer on an electric bicycle. This bike was the idea of a local PCSO and is being used for routine patrols as part of the Safer Neighbourhood team. Behind the bike is a Honda CRV.
J33840 A Man / JDC rescue pump that is operated out of St Hellier by Jersey FRS. It is one of 8 fire appliance that cover the island.
J96893 Jersey police use this Mercedes Sprinter for prisoner transportation work.
The rear view.
J90814 Used for general patrol duties on Jersey is this Honda Jazz.
The rear view of the simply-liveried car.
J14999 Carrying a personalised registration plate bearing ‘999’, this States of Jersey Police VW Crafter is used for educational and promotional uses.
The rear view. Adverts for the Fatal Four are displayed: mobile phones, drink driving, excess speed and no seat belt.
J118391 A Land Rover Discovery that is part of the States of Jersey Police fleet.
The rear overhead view.
J95174 This Mitsubishi Shogun is a tough 4×4 that is used on the Channel Island of Jersey.
The rear view of the fully battenburged car.
J16252 A Skoda Octavia that is used by the States of Jersey Police and is based at the St Hellier headquarters.
J26649 A Skoda Octavia that is used by the States of Jersey Police and is based at the St Hellier headquarters.
J84506 A Skoda Octavia that is used by the States of Jersey Police and is based at the St Hellier headquarters.
J30766 A VW Transporter that is used by the States of Jersey Police. Notice the two full-width clear LED light bars.
The rear view. A very small Crimestoppers message is displayed on the right hand rear door.
37947 This is a winch-equipped Land Rover Defender used by Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey.
Looking at the vehicle from a more traditional angle.
The rear view. Notice the two rear registration plates. The additional high-level one is in case the lower one is covered by a trailer.
These are the two ambulance trailers that form the ambulance provision on the small island of Sark. It is rare, but not unheard of, for both to be required at once. They are towed by volunteers’ tractors.
This posed shot shows the style of ambulance and fire provision of Sark. Both services operate the tractor and trailer system.
The island of Sark’s unique response to ambulance provision comes in the form of this tractor and trailer combination.
Another look the ambulance that carries emergency patients as well as routine medical appointment patients.
A side-on look at the ambulance at. It is turning at a wide cross-roads in the middle of the island. There are no tarmac roads as regular motorised traffic is prohibited.
The rear view, showing the registration plate reading ‘Sark’.
Inside the rear of the 1980s ambulance which was originally converted by Hanlon of Ireland. The subsequent work to cut off the cab was done on the island when they took ownership.
A look at the ambulance without the tractor unit attached.
Watch a video of this vehicle in action!
C398 LEG Here is a 1985 Ford Escort model from Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
NK07 FHR This Vauxhall Vivaro is operated by Durham Constabulary.
The rear view showing the hatch where the camera will be deployed from.
A closer look at the hatch with the speed detecting camera now on show.
Inside an officer operates the camera and ancillary equipment.
A closer look at the camera seen from the operator’s viewpoint.
79289 A Mercedes Sprinter ambulance conversion used for front line response on Guernsey.
The rear view showing the standard livery used.
A close up look at the service’s badge.
Two rigid inflatable boats are shown here that are deployed by the ambulance service on Guernsey to sea or inland waterways. They are transported on trailers by Land Rovers.
This Swiss folding bike is deployed at pre-planned events by Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey. It is useful as a rapid response unit when roads are closed and crowds have gathered.
This go-kart, complete with flashing blue light and siren, is one of a pair used by Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey when teaching children about the ambulance service.
The rear view of the toy.
47503 Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey use this Toyota van to transport goods to and from their health care equipment centre.
62530 A Subaru Legacy that is operated by Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey.
The rear view.
827 NTC An MG A Roadster dating from 1960. This type of police vehicle was used for traffic policing duties, including on the new motorways. Notice the large black wailing siren mounted on the front.
A closer look at the illuminated police sign and amber warning light (a predecessor of the blue flashing light).
A look over the shoulder of the driver. It was normal practice to drive the car with the roof folded down so other motorists could see the police uniforms.
On the rear is an illuminated ‘police stop’ sign. The ‘stop’ part would be illuminated when requiring a motorist to pull over. This was done by first overtaking the target car, in contrast to today where stops are made from behind.
PX07 BGF, PX09 CUV, PX58 BFZ Here is a line up of three Cumbria Police vehicles outside stone-built Windermere police station. Notice the all of the vehicle carry Cumbria’s standard Vector light bar of five lights arranged in a V-shape. Left to right are a Peugeot Expert, a Ford Transit and a Ford Transit Connect.
BX10 LJU Here is a Met Police Mitsubishi Shogun. Four police officers inside observe passing traffic and pedestrians.
The rear view.
Closest to the camera is St Oswald, a fisheries patrol vessel based in North Shields. It carries a fast rigid inflatable boat to quickly approach fishing boats and climb aboard for inspections.
Moored alongside it is a Royal Navy vessel HMS Example, a patrol and training vessel attached to the Northumbria University Royal Naval Unit. HMS Example is part of the 1st Patrol Boat Squadron (1PBS).
YJ60 FOH A North Yorkshire FRS Land Rover descends a steep cobbled slope to launch the fire boat it carries on a trailer.
This is Flying Christine III, the ambulance boat based on Guernsey in the Channel Islands. It has undergone a few different livery changes over the years. It is a lifeline for emergency and routine medical calls between the islands. In Summer 2012 the boat made a special trip to London to be part of the Thames River Pageant as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The side view of the vessel that is operated by Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey. It is 45 feet long and was launched in 1994. It can deal with incident on ships as well as transporting casualties from the land.
The stern view of the boat with the picturesque, colourful buildings of St Peter Port forming the backdrop.
This small boat is used to reach the Flying Christine III from the shore.
PKZ 4844 This Browns / Volvo FL250 is the only fire engine on the island of Rathlin, off the North Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland. It is seen here exiting the Rescue Station which is shared with the Coastguard.
A look at the full length of the appliance. You can just see the sideways facing blue flashing lights mounted at the back of the step into the cab.
The rear view of the appliance. It holds the claim of being the only fire appliance in Northern Ireland to be based on an island. It is manned by a fully retained volunteer crew who spend two hours per week training. However sometimes a full year can pass without any call outs. If back-up was required at a call, this could take about an hour to come by car ferry from the mainland.
LK56 KJF An unusual use for green flashing lights is shown here on these two cars on the Crown Estate in Windsor. The wardens’ cars are a Ford Fiesta and a Vauxhall Astra. The Fiesta in the foreground also has two white spotlights on the roof.
This is Rescue Water Craft 15 (RWC-015), part of the RNLI’s beach lifeguard service.
A closer look at the side of the craft.
Here a demonstration shows how the float at the rear is sued to carry people back to shore.
A rear look at the float that is covered in handles to help people pull themselves onto it.
A very simple method of transport is this RNLI Lifeguard surf board. It is held in a special cradle and is picked up by lifeguards as they run from the lookout post to the sea.
J108092 The Jersey Coastguard use this dark blue Subaru Forester. It is fitted with a dual-colour light bar of amber and blue. It follows a similar colour scheme to the Her Majesty’s Coastguard in mainland UK.
The rear view of the Forester.
J13894 Jersey Customs use this silver Honda CRV for their Customs and Immigration Service.
The rear view, showing the service’s crest and the all-amber light bar.
J99403 This Mercedes Benz Sprinter (with UVM bodywork) shows the livery used by ambulances with the States of Jersey Ambulance Service.
The rear view of the vehicle showing the electric loading ramp.
J99102 In this action shot, a States of Jersey ambulance races to an emergency call.
14576 This Land Rover Defender is used by the Civil Defence service on the island of Guernsey. On the roof is an amber light bar, a green rotating beacon and a white searchlight. Green flashing beacons are permitted on Guernsey for all voluntary emergency services when responding to calls, including when travelling to their base for a call out.
SF05 NLU This DAF LF truck is used for bomb disposal work. It is shown here in a partially covert mode with no exterior writing visible. Fold-down and magnetic signs reveal its use. The vehicle operates in this partially covert mode so as not to alarm the public and to help avoid it becoming a focus for attack.
The rear view.
This red Massey-Ferguson 240 is used as an emergency doctor vehicle on the small Channel Island of Sark. Notice the ‘doctor’ sign on the sun visor and the LED flashing lights on the windscreen.
The rear view. The rear plate reads ‘doctor’ as it is normal to have the owner’s name shown in place of any official registration plate system on the island. The red box is the patient transportation system! It consists of one seat and a storage box. It is lifted off the ground when the tractor is in motion. The cab only has one seat so this bespoke box is essential to transport patients.
Here is the vehicle in use on a misty day showing the red and blue flashing lights.
53802 This car is believed to have been used for a multi-country ramshackle rally. It carries a blue light bar that has been covered up and ‘Mello Yello’ advertising.
The rear view of the Honda Legend showing ‘wild beaver patrol’ wording.
47994 An Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey Skoda Octavia ambulance car races to an emergency call on blues and twos.
At the emergency call. The amount of equipment carried can be seen.
A closer look at the Octavia as it waits back at base for the next call.
The rear view of the car.
YEZ 7127 Belfast Harbour Police operate this VW Tiguan. It is fitted with Tracker as well as the usual police equipment.
The rear view of the Tiguan. Belfast Harbour Police are the only harbour or port police service in the UK to be routinely armed, bringing them in line with their neighbours the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
LEZ 2237 This black Chrysler Grand Voyager people carrier is used by Belfast Harbour Police. It is an unusual choice of police vehicle: the harbour police were given it from another part of the port authority rather than actually choosing it. It originally operated unmarked.
The rear of the Grand Voyager.
XKZ 4852 The second of a pair of VW Tiguans operated by Belfast Harbour Police. The Tiguan was chosen for its chunky tyres that are more resistant to punctures. This is a problem on the many miles of dock-side roads that are often potholed and have debris on them.
The side view, showing the UK-standard police vehicle conspicuity livery.
The rear view.
DEZ 6025 This Ford Galaxy is the fourth and final marked vehicle that is operated by Belfast’s harbour police. It is posed here with the iconic H&W cranes and the Titanic Museum in the background.
A look at the rear of the Galaxy that is used by the armed officers of Belfast’s harbour force.
LKZ 2890 A 2004 Nissan Nivara in silver that is used by the Port of Larne Police in Northern Ireland. The car carries a very simple livery and the only writing on the outside is on the light bar. Small amber flashing lights are used when driving around the port, with blue lights operated in emergency situations.
The rear view of the 4×4 Navara. Mounted onto the Truckman rear are two of the small amber flashing lights. This is the only vehicle operated by this very small port police service.
This specialist Iveco 65C16 fire vehicle is operated in conjunction with Qinetiq. It is a Remote Operated Vehicle Response Team vehicle. It carries personnel and robotic vehicles to major incidents as part of Project GHOST. GHOST stands for Gas cylinder Hazardous Operations Scientific Team.
The team are on call 24 hours per day and are dispatched by London Fire Brigade to any incident in the UK within four hours drive. This covers all of Wales and England as far North as Leeds.
The rear view. Notice the array of equipment on the roof including two full-width light bars, cctv and small and large telescopic aerials.
YD12 ZSR, YD12 ZST, YD12 ZSG, YD12 ZSJ, YD12 ZSX London Fire Brigade was loaned five MINI Coopers by BMW for the 2012 Olympics. These cars were used in and around Olympic venues for rapid response as well as routine work. They carry equipment capable of putting out small fires. Inkeeping with the multinational event, “fire” is written on the side of the cars in five foreign languages.
In addition to these five, Dorset were given one similar MINI for use at the Weymouth and Portland Olympic venues. This is a Countryman four wheel drive model, registration YD12 ZSY.
Sark Fire Brigade operate three fire trailers on the small island in the Channel Islands. One is seen here being pulled by a privately owned tractor of the chief fire officer Kevin Adams. Motor vehicles are not permitted on the island, except for tractors required for work.
A side-on look at the tractor-trailer combination. The trailer has two equipment lockers, jaws of life, lights, pump, hose reel, lengths of hose and short-reach ladders. There are no high-rise buildings on the island and no street lights.
Watch a video of this vehicle in action!
A look at another of the three hand-built fire trailers that form the fleet of Sark Fire Brigade.
HG56 LNY This Land Rover Defender is used by the RNLI to drive team members to the nearby lifeboat and to tow smaller craft. It is seen here outside the base in Larne. Notice the additions of a front winch (covered), two spotlights and a tow hook on the front.
The rear view of the Land Rover. It has two further spotlights on the rear and carries no high visibility markings.
Lifeboat 17-30 is named RNLB William Gordon Burr. It is based at Portrush, County Armagh.
The stern view.
Lifeboat 17-04 is called the Spirit of Guernsey and is based at St. Peter Port on the Channel Island.
The stern view of the Severn Class vessel.
J25313 This red Honda all-terrain vehicle is used to quickly move around large beaches by RNLI lifeguards.
The in use, as seen from the rear.
J25190 This Mitsubishi L200 is used on the beaches of Jersey by the RNLI as a lifeguard vehicle.
The car tows this jetski that is used to reach swimmers or surfers in trouble. The yellow float attached to the rear is for rescuees to pull themselves onto for a lift back to land.
The rear view as the car surveys the sea. As the tide ebbs and flows, the car moves to stay near the water’s edge.
In this shot, the same L200 demonstrates its 4×4 capabilities by driving through shallow water to the bemusement of two surfers.
J81532 This is a RNLI Beach Lifeguard Mitsubishi L200 4×4. Notice the surfboard, amber light bar and two loudspeakers for safety announcements.
DK11 BYF This BMW Estate is part of the Cheshire Constabulary. This is one of the more top end police vehicles used by Traffic Officers. Here it’s pictured showing its blue LED lights flashing with repeaters hidden within the front light cluster.
The rear view.
This Skoda Octavia VRS is one of the more unusual police cars that are used across the country. This demo model is aimed at roads policing teams. Unlike traditional police cars this one is in dark grey.
Here is a rear view of the police vehicle. It is shown here with battenberg markings and chevrons on the back.
This Seat Exeo is a standard police patrol car. They are usually around £20,000; however fitting police equipment raises the price but bulk buying lowers it too. It can do 0-62 MPH in 9.6 seconds.
This rear view of the Police Vehicle. Shown here with the Battenberg markings and the unusual blue light bar on the top.
This Audi A6 Avant has a top speed of 155 mph (on the 3.0 quattro version) and is a very fast and reliable car. Here it’s shown with the standard battenberg markings.
Here is a rear view of the vehicle. Shown here with the Battenberg markings and the chevrons on the back. Also shown with Blue lights in the rear light cluster.
This Ford Galaxy is a Sussex Police vehicle. Its size allows a number of people and equipment to be carried to accident scenes as it is used as a Forensic Collision Investigation unit.
This Jaguar XF is one of the top end police cars. Only highly trained traffic cops will be permitted to drive this car at speed.
This is a rear view of the luxury Jaguar.
This VW Passat Estate is show here without a blue light bar. It can be used for non-emergency work but can also be supplied fitted with a light bar to allow emergency response work.
This Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric police vehicle is an eco-friendly part of Thames Valley Police’s fleet. It is used by PCSOs for transportation and does not respond to emergency calls.
This is a rear view of the vehicle, showing the small police markings and Thames Valley Police logo.
11785, 11784 In this action shot, two motorbikes are escorting a large load using red flashing lights. They are both Honda Deuvilles belonging to Guernsey Outriders (a division of St Peter Port Service Ltd) who have a contract with the Guernsey government to provide vehicle escort services.
A closer look at one of the escort motorbikes. The company operate three motorbikes and a marked-up van. All use red flashing lights all-round.
The rear view. The riders are all special constables, trained in the specific role they carry out only. This gives them the power to direct traffic on Guernsey narrow winding roads.
The pair of bikes ready to face another day’s service.
12452 A look at one of Guernsey Outriders’ Honda Deuvilles. Red flashing lights were chosen as the police weren’t keen on blues being used and ambers would not have the desired impact to stop oncoming traffic quickly. A change in law was implemented to make the front-facing red flashing lights legal.
The rear view, showing the high visibility jacket marked with ‘Special Constable’.
Two RAF demo police bikes are shown here. The VFR1200 is liked for its power, but the 780cc Crossrunner was criticised for its plastic and ill fitting dash, and the seat not being grippy, throwing the rider forward into the tank under braking!
A close look at the RAF Police badge on the front. The motto ‘fiat justitia’ translates from Latin as ‘let justice be done’.
J57133, J19211 States of Jersey Police operate this pair of Honda Deuvilles out of their St. Hellier HQ.
The rear view of the pair.
One of the bikes at speed on the A1 out of St. Hellier.
PX59 BGK This is a Volvo V70, new in 2009, that is part of the roads policing fleet of Cumbria Constabulary in the North West of England.
The rear view.
FJ61 NBX This is a dual-liveried Ecospin three-wheeled personal transportation vehicle. It is marked as police on one side and paramedic on the other to demonstrate its uses.
The rear view, showing the platform where the rider stands.
V12 COP This ex-US Ford Police Interceptor car has been converted into a publicity vehicle for the UK charity Care of Police Survivors (Cops). It has a blue-red light bar and a personalised registration plate.
The rear view of the car.
R945 TFJ This road-legal monkey bike is decked out in CHIMPS Highway Patrol livery. The badge on the side says it is ridden by Officer Jim Panzee! It is fitted with blue lights all round and is used as a publicity vehicle. CHIMPS is a play on words of CHiPs, the California Highway Patrol.
The rear view of the quirky bike.
This warden boat is used on Lake Windermere. It look similar to a police boat, being white with blue writing and a blue light bar.
The reverse view of this boat that is seen here undergoing maintenance.
This boat, Merlin, is used by the wardens on Lake Windermere to patrol and uphold the rules of the lake. It carries blue flashing lights and fire service-style battenburg markings of red and yellow.
The boat on patrol out on the lake.
LM59 OBK A Mercedes Sprinter that is used by St John Ambulance as a Children’s Intensive Care Ambulance.
The rear view of the ambulance from London Price of Wales District which includes the South Thames Retrieval Service logo.
XCZ 4924 A police water cannon from the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The PSNI are the only UK force to operate these vehicles, of which they have six. If required they can loan them to UK forces or the Irish Republic’s Garda.
The rear view of the large water cannon, which is approximately the size of an airport fire tender. It is normal procedure to operate a pair of these together.
The vehicle in action. Various water patterns can be generated from the two cannons mounted above the cab and the smaller side cannons. This includes a powerful jet of water (shown) as well as a misting effect.
Inside the cab where the driver and three operators sit. It is heavily armoured as its size and use often makes it the target for attacks.
Watch a video of this vehicle in action!
YK11 VGP This Medical Car is used on the Oulton Park motor racing circuit. It is sponsored by BMW and is an adapted BMW X5.
The rear view of the three-litre M-class BMW.
AE61 ATU An Emergency Response Unit that was new to the British Red Cross in 2011. Notice the range of communication antenna and satellite dish on the roof and side.
WX11 CAV This Iveco truck has been converted into an ambulance Incident Support Unit. The rear pod can be demounted onto the ground and left.
The rear view of the ISU.
KS04 BJY A Chrysler Voyager that is operated by Medics Plus. It carries no emergency warning equipment and has a simple livery.
The rear view of the Chrysler people carrier.
RE06 DPV A Honda CR-V that is used as a ground response vehicle for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.
The rear view of the 2.2-litre engined 4×4 car.
AY51 EOR This Mercedes Benz Sprinter ambulance is operated by Yormed, a private ambulance service.
The rear view of the ambulance.
G-CIAS Channel Islands Air Search operate this 1982 Islander aircraft for Search and Rescue work (with personalised registration). CIAS is a 24/7 charity that assists in saving lives at sea and is supported entirely by volunteers. The Channel Islands are a distance away from government-funded French and English rescue helicopters and so created their own service in 1980.
The aircraft in its purpose built hanger on Guernsey. It was built in 1982 and came to the service in 1992 with many modifications made. These include extended nose housing for radar, extended wing tips and long range fuel tanks.
Another view of G-CIAS ready for action. With callsign ‘Airsearch One’, it can travel at up to 140 knots and can stay in the air for up to 4 hours 30 minutes. It carries out sea and land searches, including mainland France and England.
The rear view of the aircraft called Lions’ Pride. It can take off with just 100m visibility and the time from call to airborne is about 25 minutes. This includes the time taken for the volunteers to drive to the hanger – a journey that is helped by the use of green flashing lights on their private cars.
The Forward Looking Infa Red (FLIR) pod shown cost £200,000 to purchase and was a massive sum to pay out for a small charitable organisation. However the benefits of having this save lives.
The underside of the aircraft as seen from the sea. The charity use the tag line ‘The Lifeboats’ Eyes in the Sky’.
A close look at the four speakers used as a public address system or siren.
Inside the aircraft. This compact space is for five team members: a pilot, a search director and observers. There is no capability to rescue or transport casualties.
The rear observer seats. The windows are bulged outwards to allow the observers to look straight down. A small chute at the bottom of the photograph allows sea flares to be placed on the sea as markers. Behind the rear seats is an inflatable life raft that can the pushed out of the aircraft to be used by up to 11 people in the sea.
In this staged photograph, G-CIAS is in flight, joined by the Channel Islands’ other rescue services.
72687 States of Guernsey police operate this silver Skoda Octavia.
The rear view, including the Crimestoppers telephone number.
A close look at the force crest on the doors.
42913 States of Guernsey Police operate this Skoda Octavia. An unusual feature is the amber light bar rather than the traditional blue. This car is mainly used for road checkpoints rather than emergency response work.
The rear view.
56462, 35230 This pair of Vauxhall Astras are used by the States of Guernsey Police. The only differences between the vehicles are the colour of the wing mirrors and the roof callsigns of 2 and 5.
A side-on look at the pair.
This unregistered Ford Ranger is ‘Fire 27’, a service support unit with Guernsey Fire and Rescue. Front-line fire vehicles are exempt from the need to show a registration plate on Guernsey.
The rear view.
A close-up look at the badge on the door.
77484 A Ford Focus used by Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service for non-firefighting duties.
The rear view of the Focus.
J54466
Grouville Honorary Police
Honda Accord
The estate car in silver that is used for policing duties by the honorary force of Grouville parish.
J35667
St. Lawrence Honorary Police
Ford Transit Connect
It was new to St. Lawrence parish in 2011.
J115919
St. Lawrence Honorary Police
Skoda Octavia
J45206
St. Brelade Honorary Police
Ford Cmax
Used by the duty centeniers of the parish
J47890
St. Brelade Honorary Police
Peugeot 407