Prime Minister claims public do not want Vauxhall police cars

Feb 15 2012 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

THE Prime Minister has dismissed criticism of Cheshire Constabulary’s decision to drop Vauxhall as its vehicle of choice.

Cheshire Constabulary has replaced ageing Astras, produced in Ellesmere Port, with Hyundai cars made in Korea.

David Cameron told Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller at Prime Minister’s questions: “What the public want is police on the streets, not money spent on unnecessary procurement.”

In 2010 Hyundai was given preferred supplier status alongside Vauxhall by the National Association of Police Fleet Managers and now regional forces have opted for the cheaper Hyundais.

Mr Miller had told the PM: “Four police authorities, including one that I share with the Chancellor, have just started buying Hyundai cars imported from Korea. Add to that the Thameslink fiasco and that of the Olympic tickets – when will we see some leadership from the Prime Minister on public procurement in this country?”

Mr Cameron replied: “The most important thing in police procurement is that police forces get together and procure together to cut their costs. We have all lost count of the times spent wandering through police stations and seeing countless different types of vehicle, all costing a large amount of money.”