ianstone
05-20-2010, 08:14 PM
Have you noticed police cars aren't as big as they used to be? It looks like budget cuts really ARE starting to bite
By Daily Mail Reporter (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Daily+Mail+Reporter)
Last updated at 7:50 AM on 20th May 2010
Comments (182) (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279732/Have-noticed-police-cars-arent-big-used-It-looks-like-budget-cuts-really-ARE-starting-bite.html#comments)
Add to My Stories (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279732/Have-noticed-police-cars-arent-big-used-It-looks-like-budget-cuts-really-ARE-starting-bite.html)
Police today unveiled what appeared to be their latest weapon in the fight against crime - a pedal-powered patrol car complete with siren and blue flashing light.
The new five-gear vehicle, which has a top speed of 20mph, cost over £1,000, has full Hampshire Constabulary livery and a roll bar to protect the driver in the event of a crash.
However, police admit that even if they are pedalling furiously the 6ft-long vehicle is unlikely to be able to apprehend anyone other than 'those with a zimmer frame'.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/05/19/article-0-09A77597000005DC-783_634x413.jpg PC Keith Waller in his pedal-powered patrol car, complete with flashing lights, 'pulls over' a driver. The vehicle has been built by local schoolchildren to take part in the British Pedal Car Grand Prix
Before anyone starts thinking this is the latest example of budget cuts on the police frontline, it should be pointed out that the pedal car is actually the result of a community project organised by local bobby Keith Waller. And it won't actually be used on patrols.
He has spent 40 hours painstakingly building the replica car with children aged 13 to 16 at Ringwood Comprehensive School and it will be entered into the British Pedal Car Grand Prix on July 11 which is also in Ringwood.
PC Keith Waller, who will pilot the vehicle at the grand prix, said getting involved with the project allowed police to show their 'fun side' and made them look 'cooler' and 'more approachable'.
But he also admitted it had made him a laughing stock as people drew comparisons with him and Mr Plod from cartoon series Noddy from Toytown.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/05/19/article-0-09A742C1000005DC-950_634x425.jpg With a top speed of 20mph, PC Waller says his vehicle is unlikely to ever be used to fight crime...
The 51-year-old father of two said: 'The pedal car grand prix is a fantastic event which brings the community together.
'Getting youngsters involved gives them something to focus on at lunch and after school, so they are not out there committing anti-social behaviour.
'I have been able to reach out to the students and make the police more approachable.
'It makes me look cooler, we all have fun and the children can come and talk to me.'
PC Waller turned up in uniform to get together with about 15 students to design and make the bodywork.
He also gave up some of his lunch breaks and worked for free after his shifts.
PC Waller said: 'It was very important that the car looks just like a police vehicle, so the community can see it when we are in the race.
'I sat down with a student to come up with the design. It features our police logo, phone number and fluorescent battenburg panels.
'I went to our police workshop to request some materials and they gave me a fully-functioning three-tone siren and blue flashing light from an old vehicle.'
PC Waller said that although the pedal car would make an eco-friendly alternative to other vehicles it is not expected to replace Hampshire's existing fleet of patrol cars.
It has no indicators so officers are forced to use hand-signals when riding on the road. He said: 'We don't plan to use the car on routine patrol after the race.
'It only has a top speed of 20 miles per hour and wouldn't be especially effective at catching criminals - unless they use a zimmer frame.'
'There is no chance of us accidently breaking the speed limit in this.'
The British Pedal Car Grand Prix is a two hour endurance race around a one mile track.
Sam Coombes, from Ringwood School, said: 'The children have really enjoyed building the car and are looking forward to the race.
'It has been a great way for them to engage with our local community police officer.'
The car will be put on display in the school after the race and may be used again in next year's competition.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279732/Have-noticed-police-cars-arent-big-used-It-looks-like-budget-cuts-really-ARE-starting-bite.html#ixzz0oWC8EClB (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279732/Have-noticed-police-cars-arent-big-used-It-looks-like-budget-cuts-really-ARE-starting-bite.html#ixzz0oWC8EClB)
Now thats cut backs for you ! !
By Daily Mail Reporter (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Daily+Mail+Reporter)
Last updated at 7:50 AM on 20th May 2010
Comments (182) (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279732/Have-noticed-police-cars-arent-big-used-It-looks-like-budget-cuts-really-ARE-starting-bite.html#comments)
Add to My Stories (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279732/Have-noticed-police-cars-arent-big-used-It-looks-like-budget-cuts-really-ARE-starting-bite.html)
Police today unveiled what appeared to be their latest weapon in the fight against crime - a pedal-powered patrol car complete with siren and blue flashing light.
The new five-gear vehicle, which has a top speed of 20mph, cost over £1,000, has full Hampshire Constabulary livery and a roll bar to protect the driver in the event of a crash.
However, police admit that even if they are pedalling furiously the 6ft-long vehicle is unlikely to be able to apprehend anyone other than 'those with a zimmer frame'.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/05/19/article-0-09A77597000005DC-783_634x413.jpg PC Keith Waller in his pedal-powered patrol car, complete with flashing lights, 'pulls over' a driver. The vehicle has been built by local schoolchildren to take part in the British Pedal Car Grand Prix
Before anyone starts thinking this is the latest example of budget cuts on the police frontline, it should be pointed out that the pedal car is actually the result of a community project organised by local bobby Keith Waller. And it won't actually be used on patrols.
He has spent 40 hours painstakingly building the replica car with children aged 13 to 16 at Ringwood Comprehensive School and it will be entered into the British Pedal Car Grand Prix on July 11 which is also in Ringwood.
PC Keith Waller, who will pilot the vehicle at the grand prix, said getting involved with the project allowed police to show their 'fun side' and made them look 'cooler' and 'more approachable'.
But he also admitted it had made him a laughing stock as people drew comparisons with him and Mr Plod from cartoon series Noddy from Toytown.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/05/19/article-0-09A742C1000005DC-950_634x425.jpg With a top speed of 20mph, PC Waller says his vehicle is unlikely to ever be used to fight crime...
The 51-year-old father of two said: 'The pedal car grand prix is a fantastic event which brings the community together.
'Getting youngsters involved gives them something to focus on at lunch and after school, so they are not out there committing anti-social behaviour.
'I have been able to reach out to the students and make the police more approachable.
'It makes me look cooler, we all have fun and the children can come and talk to me.'
PC Waller turned up in uniform to get together with about 15 students to design and make the bodywork.
He also gave up some of his lunch breaks and worked for free after his shifts.
PC Waller said: 'It was very important that the car looks just like a police vehicle, so the community can see it when we are in the race.
'I sat down with a student to come up with the design. It features our police logo, phone number and fluorescent battenburg panels.
'I went to our police workshop to request some materials and they gave me a fully-functioning three-tone siren and blue flashing light from an old vehicle.'
PC Waller said that although the pedal car would make an eco-friendly alternative to other vehicles it is not expected to replace Hampshire's existing fleet of patrol cars.
It has no indicators so officers are forced to use hand-signals when riding on the road. He said: 'We don't plan to use the car on routine patrol after the race.
'It only has a top speed of 20 miles per hour and wouldn't be especially effective at catching criminals - unless they use a zimmer frame.'
'There is no chance of us accidently breaking the speed limit in this.'
The British Pedal Car Grand Prix is a two hour endurance race around a one mile track.
Sam Coombes, from Ringwood School, said: 'The children have really enjoyed building the car and are looking forward to the race.
'It has been a great way for them to engage with our local community police officer.'
The car will be put on display in the school after the race and may be used again in next year's competition.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279732/Have-noticed-police-cars-arent-big-used-It-looks-like-budget-cuts-really-ARE-starting-bite.html#ixzz0oWC8EClB (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279732/Have-noticed-police-cars-arent-big-used-It-looks-like-budget-cuts-really-ARE-starting-bite.html#ixzz0oWC8EClB)
Now thats cut backs for you ! !