Information about Police vehicles, tactical contacts and Police boats

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.038629

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. What percent (%) of the police vehicles are unmarked?
2. How many (road) police vehicles (as of whatever is close to 20 June 2024) do the MET own?
3. How many tactical contacts were performed and recorded in 2023?
4. How much did these tactical contacts cost to repair total?
5. How many new police vehicles have been purchased in 2024?
6. How much did these new police vehicles cost total?
7. How many boats do the MET own?
8. How are boats used?
9. How much do these boats cost?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - What percent (%) of the police vehicles are unmarked?

61% non-livered (unmarked).

Q2 - How many (road) police vehicles (as of whatever is close to 20 June 2024) do the MET own?

5,456

Q3 - How many tactical contacts were performed and recorded in 2023?

131 incidents recorded between 01 April 2023 up to and including 31 March 2024.

Q4 - How much did these tactical contacts cost to repair total?

The MPS do not hold this information, as the collision repair invoices do not specify if it was a TPAC (Tactical Pursuit & Containment).

Q5 - How many new police vehicles have been purchased in 2024?

389 (Starting date January 24).

Q6 - How much did these new police vehicles cost total?

£12,697,740

Q7 - How many boats do the MET own?

24 vessels on the fleet (Targa’s, RHIBS, Zodiacs, Avon’s), as of 24 June 2024.

Q8 - How are boats used?

The Marine Policing Unit are responsible for policing 47 miles of the River Thames in London between Dartford and Hampton Court. They also provide a response to over 250 miles of waterways and other bodies of water across the rest of London such as lakes, reservoirs and canals.

As a 24/7 frontline policing unit, Marine officers will face many of the same situations as landside colleagues such as crime and anti-social behaviour, community issues and security. Proactively patrol the river to detect and prevent crime, maintain public order and help keep London safe. We also respond to calls across London where a water hazard exists. Working closely with other agencies such as the RNLI, Fire, Port of London Authority (PLA), UK Coastguard, LAS, Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency (EA).

The Marine Policing Unit also have a Dive Team (Underwater and Confined Space Search Team.

Examples of what the Marine Unit does:

• Responding to marine emergencies on the Thames and inland waterways
• Specialist body recovery from the marine environment
• Counter terrorism operations and patrols
• Interception of foreign and suspicious vessels
• Support safer transport & BOCU's - crime reduction and visibility
• Engagement with schools, marinas, business and other river users
• Missing person searches
• Emergency evacuations
• Specialist rescues
• Patrol the Government Security Zone
• Respond to crime & disorder on pleasure/commercial craft
•  Warship escorts
• Providing support for events in London: London Marathon, Thames Festival, large demonstrations on bridges or near the river
• New Year’s Eve, Boat Race & Carnival operations
• Recover property related to crimes from difficult locations
• Community policing of marinas and other waterborne communities
• Underwater Searches
• Supporting Crime Searches
• Body Recovery
• Weapons Recovery
• Ship Searches

Q9 - How much do these boats cost?

Approx. cost of the 24 assets - £8,000,000