§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis over the use of unmarked police cars within the Metropolitan police area; and if he will publish any guidelines issued in the Official Report.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the force uses unmarked vehicles for a wide range of purposes including CID inquiries, surveillance, responding to certain complaints about speeding and miscellaneous support functions. Whether or not an unmarked police vehicle is to be used in a particular operation is a matter for the senior officer concerned. No guidelines have been issued specifically on the use of unmarked police cars.