'Hello, hello, hello... What's going on here then?' says Inspector Biglorryblog? I have it on good authority that the boys in blue in Lancashire www.lancashire.police.uk/ have drafted in some tough new recruits to help them deal with outbreaks of public disorder and other incidents - 14 Mercedes-Benz vans. All 5.0-tonne Sprinter 518CDI Long models have auto boxes and various other bits of ironmongery plus special lockers for pork pies and kebabs (OK I made that last bit up - so arrest me) and replace nine-year-old units from the previous Sprinter model generation, which clocked up an average of 100,000 trouble-free miles apiece. Nowe click through here for more...
The vans are being used by specialist Police Support Units, who can be drafted in at short notice to assist local officers when (for example) they're executing drugs warrants, or in incidents at which people may be armed, and for special operations alongside officers from the mounted or dog sections. The vans will also be used by officers attending large - scale disturbances, football matches and protests. And for chasing after 3.0-litre Ford Granadas that drive into dustry yards and do hand-brake turns (sorry I've been watching too many 'Sweeney' videos...) Well they DO have 184hp V6 common-rail diesels which according to the PR blurb: "Allows the vehicles to make rapid progress on the county's hilly roads, even when fully loaded." Are they kidding? Anyway just right for responding to the classic 50's B-movie cry from 'The Super'... "After him Simpkins... And put your foot down!"
Preston dealer Ciceley Commercials supplied the new vans which were then converted by Walsall-based specialist MacNeillie & Son who added polycarbonate linings to strengthen the bodywork anti-bandit glass, retractable metal grilles to shield windscreens from missiles, protected fuel lines and run-flat tyres.
The vans each seat up to nine officers and are racked out to carry equipment such as public order shields and helmets. They are also fitted with mobile data terminals and satellite navigation. "Our previous Sprinters were superbly reliable and I've no doubt their replacements will give us equally good service," says Lancashire Constabulary fleet manager Chris Malkin tells Biglorryblog.
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