No, store it is not a misprint. CEV stands for Community Engagement Vehicle and is the latest means by which the police and Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl engage with the public.
CEV is a second hand display vehicle and will replace the Constabulary’s two mobile police vehicles which have come to the end of the road.
It can be used as a mobile office for one to one interviews or a focal point at events. It will be driven by a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), who is able to speak directly to the public and has recently been used as part of Operation Switch to spread the message of security in the home around the county.
Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said, “Our two mobile police stations have given good service but it was no longer cost effective to keep them on the road.
“I am very happy that through CEV we will still be able to keep that connection with the public, especially in rural parts of the county”.
Like its forerunner NEV – the PCC’s Neighbourhood Engagement Vehicle – CEV can also be used by the commissioner to move around the county and meet the public.
Mr. Surl said, “The Constabulary’s mobile police stations were very popular and I promised I would replace them when necessary.
“I took a bit of stick when I bought the first vehicle [NEV] but I bought it second hand and it’s proved its worth. It’s on the road most days of the week and CEV will be the same.
“It means I can get out of the office and engage with people in their own locality on a one to one basis which is great. I get to hear what they think of the police and what they expect from them and me. People are very honest and you hear bad news as well as good news – but at least I’m informed”.
CEV is a Fiat Ducati with a 2.5 turbo diesel engine. It was formerly owned by the energy company EON but was returned to the manufacturers in Telford with very low mileage having had little use.
Unlike NEV, which is a Peugeot Boxer with a 3 litre turbo diesel engine, CEV’s can be driven by anyone with a B licence which makes it more flexible.