HL Deb 06 July 2004 vol 663 cc72-3WA
Lord Thomas of Swynnerton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will devise an alarm for the use of the police, fire brigades and the ambulance service, which is less noisy than the present one. [HL3456]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal:

The police and other emergency services need to alert other motorists and pedestrians to their presence if they are to provide fast response times and to do so safely. Much work has previously been undertaken to identify the most effective means for doing this. The sirens now in use are designed to operate in such a way as to attract the attention of pedestrians, to be heard by motorists in different situations and to indicate the direction from which the vehicle is approaching. They are often supplemented by the use of alternate flashing headlights. We have no current plans for further work in this area.