Skip advert
Advertisement

Police spend £18million on unmarked cars

Jaguar XF, Audi A6 and BMW X5 among the luxury cars paid for by taxpayers

Jaguar XF front tracking

Police forces in the UK have spent £18million on unmarked police cars, with executive models including the likes of the Jaguar XF, Audi A6 and BMW X5 arriving on police fleets.

A Freedom of Information request by the Daily Mail found that the West Midlands force had spent the most on their cars with £4,493,889 used to buy high performance and luxury models over the past three years.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Lancashire police force came in second with a total of £2,027,986 on their unmarked cars, while Greater Manchester had splashed out £1,999,842 and Hampshire had spent £1,653,054.

High performance vehicles used by office and admin staff

The vehicles weren’t just the used for high-speed pursuits, instead some of them were being used by office and admin staff for non-emergency situations.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Matthew Sinclair, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: “The police budget should be spent fighting crime, not on swanky motors for chief constables.

“Forces need performances cars for undercover work but that's not a reason to buy them for those spending their life behind a desk.

“Axing flash run-arounds for police chiefs is a simple way to save taxpayers' money while protecting front line policing.”

However, Andy Kelly, West Midlands Police’s Head of Fleet Services, explained: “When we buy vehicles we are required to follow Home Office vehicle acquisition frameworks, which are in place nationally.

“Vehicles are put forward for consideration then assessed on '"fitness for purpose" and cost effectiveness. Following this process, awards are then made to manufacturers."

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025