The Federation of British Historic Vehicles (FBHVC) has spoken with the Chief Superintendent seconded to the Roads Policing Policy calling for owners of retired ‘blue light’ vehicles to use them responsibly. This comes after concerns over how the protest group Extinction Rebellion has used a former fire engine.
The FBHVC’s Lindsay Irvine said: ‘The then-Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) promulgated a protocol to regularise the use of retired police vehicles on the road in 2009 that encouraged officers to take a “pragmatic” approach to enforcement provided that enthusiasts were responsible in their use of the vehicles.’
'There is legislation to deal with those who use a vehicle to impersonate emergency services'
The policy only applied to former police vehicles but calls to make it applicable to all former emergency vehicles prompted the Chief Superintendent to reply: ‘The APCO guidance, which dates back to 2010, is out of date and our intention is to withdraw that document officially. There is already legislation in place to deal with those who use a vehicle to impersonate emergency services.
Lindsay Irvine added: ‘We were much encouraged by the positive and trusting attitude that he took to the historic vehicle community and by his advocacy of a light touch approach. Please be responsible in the use of your blue light vehicles.’