DERBYSHIRE Police has boosted its fleet of Toyota RAV4 response vehicles used for rural duties in the Peak District - and on the strength of its experience with the manufacturer it is now evaluating Land Cruisers for motorway patrol work and Corollas for general response purposes. Four RAV4 GX five-door models have joined the two already on the 350-strong fleet as the present vehicles come up for their two-year replacement.

Fleet manager Terry Hitchcock said: 'We've found the RAV4 exceptionally reliable, and all the drivers have been extremely pleased with their performance and driveability. Fuel returns and overall cost per mile have proved exceptionally competitive.'

Meanwhile two Land Cruiser Colorado VXs are being operated in Derbyshire Police's northern road traffic area, alongside the fleet's existing Land Rover Discoverys. The force is also testing a Corolla 1.3S five-door liftback which it is running alongside Vauxhall Astra response cars.