Police and emergency vehicles for film and TV

UK police cars from every era

British police cars changed a lot over the decades, and audiences notice when the wrong one turns up. Small saloons in blue-and-white panda livery suit 1960s and 1970s settings. Fluorescent stripes and roof light bars mark later decades, and today's high-visibility battenburg livery belongs firmly in the present. Our catalogue includes period panda cars, ex-Met Police vehicles and modern patrol and interceptor cars, as well as replicas built for screen. Tell us the year and the region the story is set in, and we'll suggest vehicles that fit.

American police cars and cruisers

US-set stories filmed in Britain need American police cars. The catalogue includes classic American cruisers from the 1970s, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor that served US forces for decades, later Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorer interceptors, and examples in big-city and highway patrol styles. Most American vehicles are left-hand drive, so please tell us whether cast will drive or whether the car will be driven by its owner or shot static. See all American cars for film.

Ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles

Incident scenes rarely stop at one police car. The catalogue also includes ambulances, fire engines, response cars and other blue-light vehicles, so one brief can cover the whole scene. For larger or more specialist vehicles, see our action vehicles page.

Filming with police lookalike vehicles

A marked police car on a public road needs planning. Productions normally tell the local police in advance when lookalike vehicles or uniforms will be used. Markings and light bars are often covered between takes, and blue lights and sirens shouldn't be used on the open road unless they're permitted for the shoot. In London, the borough film service and Film London can advise on permissions. We flag the practical points for each vehicle when we send options, so your locations team can plan around them.

FAQ