NEW police cars are not suitable for use in the north, DUP MP Jim Shannon said yesterday.
The Strangford MP told the House of Commons that the recently-purchased Vauxhall Vectra cars were "completely unsuitable for policing in west Belfast, Londonderry or south Armagh".
He said the cars "could not be armoured" and added that average-sized police officers "with body armour or weapons cannot get out if the car is attacked".
Mr Shannon called on the British government to discuss concerns about the cars with the Policing Board.
Northern Ireland Office minister Ben Wallace, who is a former soldier, said: "As someone who previously had to squeeze into armoured cars on the Falls Road I have full sympathy with what it is like."
Mr Wallace said the purchase of the cars was a procurement issue - which was a matter for Chief Constable George Hamilton.
He said he would raise the issue with Mr Hamilton at their next meeting and said the "safety of police officers is paramount".
