Bedfordshire-based Traffic Enforcement Systems (TES), which supplies traffic-surveillance cars to local authorities and police forces, is trialling Toyota iQs with a view to replacing its current small-car fleet.

At present TES operates 45 Smart Cars, which are hired out to bodies responsible for traffic regulation and community safety. The vehicles are fitted with a range of mobile CCTV and GPS systems, and specialist equipment such as thermal-imaging cameras or numberplate-readers may also be fitted.

However, it has now bought and fitted out a Toyota iQ 1.0-litre automatic as a customer demonstrator and has just ordered a second vehicle.

“We’re getting a lot of good reviews at the moment,” said managing director Clive Paul. “Manchester Police are very keen to take the prototype for a full trial and if they like it they’ll switch to iQs. We have also shown it to Devon & Cornwall Police, who were very impressed and have been in contact with TES to arrange a long-term trial.”