Vauxhall Viva - Unit Beat Policing and Panda Cars

In 1967, a new concept in policing was introduced in Hertfordshire, along with many other forces. Called Unit Beat Policing, Constables were permanently assigned to their own local beat area, and a number of beat areas were supported by another officer in a Unit Beat Car, commonly known as Panda Cars. The first batch of cars used for this purpose were Vauxhall Viva HB models and PC Barry Faulkner was photographed with one for publicity purposes, shown here on The Campus, Welwyn Garden City. These photos were originally in black and white but have been computer colorized, using the original Vauxhall colour as a reference, so officers from that time will readily recognise them.