ESSEX Constabulary has taken delivery of six Jeep Cherokees for use as traffic patrol vehicles. The county joins Cumbria, Warwickshire, West Yorkshire and Wiltshire - who each use a single Jeep.

Both petrol and diesel versions of the Cherokee are now involved in a wide range of active roles such as motorway patrol work, firearms support, rapid response, rural beat work and official senior personnel transport duties.

The 174 bhp Cherokee 4.0 Limited has a top speed of 112 mph and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 10 seconds. The 2.5 Turbo Diesel has a top speed of 101 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 12.5 seconds.