"Q-plod" tackles off-road crime

[Newsreader]

A two-seater buggy which can travel over all types of terrain is the latest weapon in the fight against crime.


http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9375&stc=1

Dorset Police are the first in the country to test the new £4,000 Qpod Sports buggy. The off-road vehicle has a maximum speed of 45mph and allows police to chase criminals over heathland, quarries, beaches and sand dunes.

Police are often called out to vandals setting heathland alight and the new buggy will allow them to react more quickly. Inspector Sean Cronin, of the Dorset police traffic unit, said: "Speed is not necessarily the major thing with this type of vehicle. What you must remember is that the high visibility of the vehicle has a reassuring impact on the public. It can get to places you simply can't get to in other vehicles so you could well see more of it on Canford Heath and the Purbecks."

The bubble-shaped Qpod is registered as a car and so officers do not have to be specially trained to drive one. The force has only one of the vehicles, nicknamed the "Q-Plod", but it is planning to extend the fleet.

[Slime101]

4K....they could have bought a 300Tdi Defender 90 for that...and it would be far better than that silly thing.

I live in the area they intend to use it, on the heaths - no chance in hell thats going to catch the offenders, not across that terrain. Most of them are on dirt bikes so the police have no chance....and normally dont care anyway!

[ButtonIt]

Good luck to them. Can't see it working myself, but at least they're attempting to catch proper criminals rather than just sitting at the side of the road with a radar gun :nono:

[dougiebarder]

Is it just me, or does it look like somebodies customised Noddy and Big ears motor? :bigears:

[Newsreader]

He he, looking at that photo again, the passenger looks just like one of 'The Chuckle Brothers' from Chucklevision. :D

[t0ny99]

Now, I understand pasting "eciloP" across the bonnet, but you have to question the need for the number plate being back to front...

Wouldn't want to be in one of those when it rolls, at least the Smart has a roof!

[earl_of_essex]

Now, I understand pasting "eciloP" across the bonnet, but you have to question the need for the number plate being back to front...

Well spotted ;-)

Try this image instead...

[maddo]

what happens when they look in the mirror!!!!!!! :yikes:

[shanno_2k]

I was recently down in cornwall seeing the folks and a few people where driving them around newquay so it looks like there not limited to the plod