This diecast model Jaguar 340 Staffordshire County and Stoke on Trent Constabulary features: Opening Doors, Boot and Bonnet, Fully Detailed Interior

Staffordshire Police has had a long association with Jaguar Cars and used them primarily for motorway patrol. The force were early pioneers in officer safety when they introduced measures to highlight the cars presence at a motorway incident, following the tragic death of an officer who was struck whilst getting out of his vehicle. The boot was painted red and specially built roof boxes with rearward facing flashing red lights and a large illuminated accident' sign together with reflective Police signs were added to all Staffordshire motorway patrol cars. This Jaguar 340 was one of the very first cars to be fitted out with these new safety features.

This diecast model Ford Escort Mk2 1.1 Popular Hampshire Police features: Opening Doors, Boot and Bonnet, Fully Detailed Interior

The Ford Escort MK2 took over the role of unit beat panda car from the MK1 and other basic cars, that were utilised by every Police force in the UK, to patrol towns and housing estates. The distinctive blue and white panda car livery was designed to ensure that the cars could be easily identified as Police cars by the public and had bee used since 1965. This particular car was based at Southsea Police station in Portsmouth and had the call sign "panda 9".

This diecast model Ford Escort Mk2 1.1L Thames Valley Police features: Opening Doors, Boot and Bonnet, Fully Detailed Interior

The Mk2 Ford Escort took over the role of unit beat panda car from the Mk1 Ford Escort and other basic cars that were utilised by every Police Force in the UK to patrol our towns and housing estates. The distinctive blue and white panda car livery was designed to ensure that the cars could be easily identified as Police Cars by the public and had been in use since 1965. However, by 1979 police fleet managers were being forced to cut costs and so there was a move towards buying plain white cars instead of the special order blue and white. This particular beat car was based at Reading Police Station.

This diecast model Ford Escort XR3i Cambridgeshire Constabulary features: Opening Doors, Boot and Bonnet, Fully Detailed Interior

The Ford Escort MK3 formed the backbone of many Police forces section car fleets during the 1980's. However the sportier XR3i was a rare sight, with only a couple of forces utilising it's power as an urban traffic car.

This diecast model Ford Escort 1.1L Section Car Essex Police features: Opening Doors, Boot and Bonnet, Fully Detailed Interior

The Ford Escort MK3 formed the backbone of Police forces section car fleets during the 1980's. This car replaced a number of other basic cars used to fulfil the role of section car, which was the new generic term used after the demise of the blue and white panda car scheme. These cars were a familiar sight in towns and on housing estates policing their respective beats. Essex Police used a large number of Ford products as many of them were built in the area.

This diecast model Jaguar Mk2 Leicestershire & Rutland Constabulary features: Opening Doors, Boot and Bonnet, Fully Detailed Interior

The Leicestershire and Rutland Constabulary were big users of Mk2 Jaguars with their traffic division. The cars were so popular that Jaguar even used this very car on advertising material at the time. The only drawback was that the boot could not contain the radio gear and all their equipment. This was quickly solved by removing the rear seats. In 1974 following various amalgamations the force changed its name to the Leicestershire Constabulary.

Throughout history the police have used a number of high performance vehicles to deal with a local issue. Humberside Police were the first force to use the Subaru Impreza as a marked car and have used a succession of sports saloons ever since, including the Lexus IS-F 250 and now the new Mitsubishi EVO X on its road crime unit, which targets criminals who use high powered vehicles to evade the police whilst going about their criminal activities.

Throughout history the police have used a number of high performance vehicles to deal with a local issue. The Essex Police have been using sports saloons like the Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi EVO 9 for several years, and in more recent times as ANPR Intercept units made famous by the TV series "Police Interceptors". The force are now replacing the Impreza's with the new Mitsubishi EVO X.