GLOUCESTERSHIRE Police have installed their first electric charging point as part of their drive towards running a greener fleet of vehicles.

The constabulary was awarded £4,000 by Gloucestershire County Council’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund to pay for the installation at the Constabulary’s Waterwells headquarters in Quesdgeley.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Martin Surl, is keen for the force to adopt a greener option and last summer had the opportunity to test-drive a fully electric Vauxhall Ampera as part of his investigations into the viability of battery-powered cars.

Mr Surl said: “I’m delighted by the grant we have received to cover the installation cost of the constabulary’s first vehicle electric charging point.

“ I believe battery-powered cars are the way forward and I think in 10 years’ time maybe the whole fleet could be electric.

“Using electric cars for certain types of jobs will not only help to save money, but will be better for the environment.

“We’re looking at a number of models which would be suitable for the constabulary’s purposes and will be looking to take some on in the not too distant future.”

Cllr Vernon Smith, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and flooding, said: “Gloucestershire Police is one of 21 local employers that will benefit from the LSTF grant..”