Neighbourhood
Policing Goes Eco
Neighbourhood
police teams in Brighton & Hove have taken delivery of an eco-friendly,
electric vehicle.
The fully liveried car is being loaned to Brighton & Hove Division
for a short trial. It will be used by neighbourhood officers to travel
around the city to street briefings and visits within local communities.
The Gem Car - it stands for Global Electric Motorcars, part of the Chrysler
Group - is 100% electric, has zero emissions and could be run purely on
solar power.
With top speeds of 30mph and a large storage space, Gem Cars are already
used commerially in the US, and by police forces in New York, Los Angeles
and Miami. The vehicle is classified as an Electric Quadracycle and therefore
does not need to display a front registration plate in much the same way
that a motorbike does not need to display a front plate.
With a 50-mile range before the batteries need to be recharged the vehicles
should be perfect for local officers to get around urban areas.
It is claimed that Sussex Police is the first police force to be using
a 100% electric vehicle. The trial will last for just over one week, with
the vehicle being displayed next to the Sussex Police stand at the annual
Pride event in Preston Park on Saturday 2nd August. Following the trial,
an evaluation will take place.
