Categories: Law enforcement in the United Kingdom

Panda car

A panda car is a small or medium-sized police car operated by British police forces. They are used for ordinary patrol work, with larger and more powerful vehicles being used for emergency response, traffic patrol and special services.

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Description

Panda cars were named after pandas because they were originally painted in large panels of black and white or blue (usually light blue) and white. In the 1980s police cars began to be painted predominantly white, usually with reflective red or yellow stripes. Today they are painted in a variety of different colours, often with multicoloured panels or stripes, although many forces still use a mainly white colour scheme. The name panda car or panda is still often used, however.

History

In many areas the panda car replaced the traditional "bobby on the beat" when it was seen that larger suburban or rural areas could be more effectively patrolled by officers in cars, as opposed to on foot, bicycles or motorcycles. The provision of shelter from the notoriously unpredictable British weather and a two-way radio were also benefits.

The panda is distinct from the "area car", a larger and more powerful vehicle which acts as support to the beat constables, usually carrying two officers.

Models of car used

Many models of panda car have been or are used by British police forces. Among the most popular are: