Nottinghamshire Police has expanded its emergency vehicle fleet with the arrival of 100 new Škodas.

Škoda was chosen for its reliability and operational responsiveness – including its inhouse turnkey conversions service

It’s taken delivery of 92 Octavia Estates and eight Superb Estates, which will be used across a range of functions, from neighbourhood and roads policing units to driver training.

The existing fleet of emergency vehicles already includes Škodas, converted for use across a number of functions using the brand’s all-inclusive turnkey conversion service. This was a key factor in the latest order, alongside Škoda’s reliability and safety attributes.

The Octavias –  supplied in 1.5 TSI and 2.0 TDI SE Tech guise – will perform response and neighbourhood policing roles, fitted with emergency warning equipment, full livery kit and light bar on the roof. They will also be used by driver training teams along with the Superb Estates – all in Sportline Plus 2.0 TSI 280 DSG 4×4 spec – which will be used in dog units and road policing roles.

The dog units have been fitted out with bespoke kennel conversions, developed by Pressfab Evo – one of Škoda’s approved converters – in conjunction with Nottinghamshire Police to meet specific requirements, with specialist air conditioning and blue light fitment. Road policing cars get a full blue light fit, ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) and matrix board.

Rachael Whinham, fleet manager at Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Nottinghamshire Police has opted to add more Škodas to the fleet due to their performance within the blue light market and reliability on our current fleet. We have found the manufacturer and its models to be reliable, operationally responsive and dependable for our ongoing commitment to safety and the officers who are driving these vehicles under demanding conditions.”

Škoda’s bespoke emergency service converters can kit its cars out to meet the needs of emergency fleets for ambulance, police and fire and rescue teams across the UK. This includes integration of the emergency services’ communications platform within the infotainment touchscreen and 360-degree lighting. Individual conversion requirements can also be catered for via the carmaker’s approved specialist converters.