£1.6M MET FLEET TO PROTECT VIPS FROM TERROR
ELITE VEHICLES FOR UNIT GUARDING MPS AND ROYALS IN FACE OF ‘INCREASED THREAT’
SCOTLAND YARD is spending up to £1.6 million on a new fleet of elite SUVs to beef-up the protection of royals, government ministers and high-profile figures from terror attacks. The force sought the deal for the off-road Range Rover Vogues in the face of “the increased threat of terrorism”, documents reveal.
They will expand the existing fleet of the Royalty and Specialist Protection group, which guards key individuals and their addresses. Senior figures such as the Prime Minister and government ministers are often flanked
by a team of highly trained close protection officers skilled in firearms use and advanced driving techniques. Only qualified officers will be permitted to drive the vehicles, which will be modified and fitted with specialist equipment. The first vehicles are expected to be on the roads by this autumn.
It means the Royalty and Specialist Protection fleet will be boosted by up to 30 new Range Rover Vogues, 18 of which would replace existing vehicles to ensure the fleet is “fit for purpose”.
Last year, the force announced an extra 720 armed counter-terror police would be recruited.
Security in London has been heightened following the terror attack on March 22 in which Khalid Masood drove into pedestrians along Westminster Bridge before stabbing Pc Keith Palmer to death in the grounds of Parliament. The terrorism threat level is severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.
In documents seeking approval to spend up to £1.6 million, the force says the increased four-wheel capability is required as a “direct response to operational requirement to increase the protection fleet due to the increased threat of terrorism”.
Scotland Yard today said that due to the vehicles being assigned for counter-terrorism it could not comment in detail on their capability. But a spokeswoman said: “All vehicles are assessed for operational suitability to ensure they perform to the required standards and can carry the full range of operation equipment. Once in receipt of the vehicles they will have additional police equipment installed, for example Airwave radio and emergency warning equipment. Only Met employees who have undertaken the necessary driver training and familiarisation will be permitted to drive them. We anticipate these vehicles to enter operational service by autumn.”
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “We have seen in recent weeks why this sort of equipment is important. This is certainly something we welcome.”
The documents which detail the tender reveal the contract was awarded to Jaguar Land Rover after a “competitive process”. Audi offered the force the Q7 Quattro SE, Mitsubishi offered the Shogun SG2 and Shogun SG3 and JLR put forward the Range Rover Vogue and Range Rover Sport HSE.
After analysis and testing, the only vehicle which met the full requirements was the Vogue. The document states: “Only one vehicle was found to meet all mandatory and desirable technical criteria and will fulfil all aspects of the role of a Response 4x4 Protection vehicle with extreme off-road capability.”
The Royalty and Specialist Protection group was formed in April 2015 with the merger of the Royalty Protection Command and the Specialist Protection Command. As well as the Prime Minister and some ministers, officers protect the royal family, certain ambassadors and high-profile figures.
JLR declined to comment for confidentiality reasons.