§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from all chief constables, apart from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, about whether they use non-officially marked cars in normal police duties, including patrols; and what general conditions govern their use;
(2) if the Metropolitan police use unmarked police cars for normal police duties; and what conditions govern their use.
§ Mr. HurdI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the force uses such vehicles for normal police duties, including CID inquires, surveillance, responding to certain complaints about speeding, and miscellaneous support functions. The use of all police vehicles is governed by the force general orders and transport regulations. The decision whether to use an unmarked police vehicle in any operation is a matter for the senior officer involved.
I understand that provincial force practice is similar to that of the Metropolitan police. I see no reason to seek reports from every chief constable.