Gray & Adams aims low with new police vehicle25 June 2013

An ultra-low, six-cell custodial vehicle, designed for use in a detention bay with restricted access, is now being run by States of Jersey Police.

Based on a 7.5-tonne DAF LF 45 chassis, the vehicle's body was developed by the specialist vehicles division at Gray & Adams, and constructed to full prisoner escort and custody service contractor specification.

The truck's 2,730mm overall roof height, coupled with DAF's active rear air suspension, allows it to get into and out of the low-ceilinged detention bay, which is situated at the foot of a steep slope.

To achieve the height, several measures were employed in the design phase, including minimising floor thickness without compromising strength, and fitting a vertical exhaust, to keep the vehicle as low as possible.

As well as three secure cells down each side, the body has a saloon with two seats, rather than the more conventional single seat, for guards. This reflects the arrangements on Jersey for transferring prisoners between the police station, Magistrates and Royal (Crown) Courts in St Helier, and HM Prison La Moye some nine miles away.

PC Andy Linsell, from the Jersey Police Road Policing Unit, spearheaded the project, which began some five years ago but was put on hold before being reactivated late last year.

"In the very early stages I visited a number of bodybuilders with one of our 'end users', because this vehicle represents a significant investment so we wanted to make sure we got it right," he states.

Linsell recalls being impressed by the build quality of another custodial body that Gray & Adams had just refurbished.

"We took their advice and, instead of going with a 5-tonne chassis, opted for a 7.5-tonner, because this means it won't be up to capacity and working too hard from the outset," he explains.

Author
John Challen

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