Unravelling the Mystery of London's Red Police Cars

London's bustling streets are a tapestry of iconic sights, and among them, a particular type of police vehicle often catches the eye: the predominantly red-liveried cars of the Metropolitan Police. In a landscape dominated by white, blue, and yellow police vehicles, these crimson cruisers stand out, prompting many to question their purpose and the unique choice of colour. These aren't just any police cars; they are the highly specialised vehicles of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP) Group, a crucial unit dedicated to safeguarding London's diplomatic community and vital government sites.

The Genesis of Diplomatic Protection in London

The need for a dedicated diplomatic protection unit within the Metropolitan Police arose from significant international developments and growing security concerns. The pivotal moment was the passing of The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 by the United Nations. This landmark international treaty established a modern framework for diplomatic security, clearly outlining the responsibilities of each signatory nation in providing protection for diplomats, their staff, and their embassies.

In London, these crucial duties naturally fell upon the Metropolitan Police. To address this new mandate, a working group was swiftly established under the leadership of Deputy Assistant Commissioner John H Gerrard, CBE, MC, and QPM. This group undertook extensive local studies, examining the operational models for diplomatic security already in place in major European and North American cities such as Paris, Bonn, The Hague, and Washington. Their comprehensive findings strongly recommended the formation of a specialist unit within the Metropolitan Police to handle these specific protective responsibilities.

Fuelled by this recommendation and in urgent response to a series of tragic killings of several Middle Eastern political figures in London during that period, The Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG) was officially established in November 1974. While it was a new specialist unit, it wasn't the Met's first foray into combating terrorism; the Special Branch, with nearly a century of experience, had been set up way back in 1883. News of the DPG's impending formation began to 'trickle out' from Scotland Yard in September 1974, gaining widespread public awareness with the publication of the Commissioner's annual report for 1974 on 4th June 1975. This report not only disclosed the move to create armed mobile patrols for the new DPG but also detailed the installation of 'panic buttons' at diplomatic premises, designed to alert these patrols immediately in the event of any untoward incident.

The Strategic Choice of Red: More Than Just a Colour

The distinctive red livery of the DPG's vehicles is not a random choice; it was a deliberate and strategic decision aimed at immediate recognition and fostering trust within the diplomatic community. When the DPG was formed, Chief Superintendent Douglas Cree, under Commissioner Sir Robert Mark, faced the challenge of making the new unit's vehicles easily identifiable and distinct from other police patrols.

At the time, standard Metropolitan Police vehicles adhered to specific colour schemes: traffic cars were typically white, 'Panda' cars (smaller patrol vehicles) were light blue, and 'Area' cars were dark blue. To ensure the DPG's vehicles stood out and were instantly recognisable to diplomats as a dedicated protective force, a different colour was needed. The idea was to choose a colour that would signify a unique role and inspire confidence. After considering various options, red emerged as a strong contender.

The choice of red was further influenced by its common association with diplomacy and royalty – themes intrinsically linked to the DPG's mission. While not many red vehicles were available in the police fleet at the time, a darker shade, specifically Damask Red, was found to fit the bill. The initial patrol cars chosen for the DPG, an Austin 1800 and a Hillman Hunter, were both available in this particular darker red. This established the iconic colour scheme that would define the DPG for decades.

Over the years, there have been slight variations in the shade of red, with some Transit police vans appearing in a more 'Fire red' compared to the earlier Damask Red. While there was a move in the mid-2000s to switch to silver cars, Inspector Bob Mileham of the DPG successfully argued for retaining the red livery, citing its proven effectiveness and recognition. However, more recently, the group has indeed introduced silver vehicles, indicating an evolution in their visual identity while still maintaining their critical role.

Evolution of the Diplomatic Protection Group: From Volunteers to a Permanent Command

Initially, the patrols of The Diplomatic Protection Group comprised Inspectors, Sergeants, and Constables who volunteered for a six-month attachment period. Their duties were exclusively focused on the protection of embassies, missions, and the homes of diplomatic staff. These officers operated in radio-equipped maroon saloon cars, facilitating rapid response, and utilised motorcyclists during periods of heavy traffic to ensure agility. By 1978, the DPG had grown to approximately 100 officers dedicated to guarding foreign embassies and visiting dignitaries.

A significant organisational shift occurred in 1979 when The Diplomatic Protection Group transitioned into a permanent Command within the Metropolitan Police. This meant that protection duties were thereafter provided by officers permanently assigned to the unit, rather than relying on a rotating roster of volunteers. This change underscored the growing importance and stability of the DPG's role.

As part of a major re-organisation of the Metropolitan Police in the mid-1980s under Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sir Kenneth Newman, The Diplomatic Protection Group was formally designated as SO6 under the new Specialist Operations (SO) designation. This solidified its place within the Met's specialist armed units. The DPG was one of two separate armed police units conducting day and night patrols in London, the other being The Special Patrol Group (SPG), established in 1965, which patrolled in dark blue Ford Transit vans, ready to respond to serious crimes or disturbances. Both the DPG and SPG officers could carry firearms at their discretion, providing vital mobile support for the blue-beret wearing armed Metropolitan Police Anti-Terror Squad.

Armament and Training

Armed policing was in its infancy when the DPG was formed. In 1974, only 429 officers out of over 21,000 within the Metropolitan Police were qualified in the use of pistols and revolvers. However, by 1977, this number had surged to nearly 4,000 trained marksmen, with another 4,000 having received instruction in firing revolvers. Several Met police squads, including the DPG, became permanently armed while on duty, alongside uniformed police guarding sensitive sites like Scotland Yard, Downing Street, and various Ministries, as well as the Special Patrol Group and the Special Branch.

In the 1970s and 1980s, plain-clothes officers of the DPG typically carried a Smith and Wesson .38 M10 revolver, loaded with six bullets, and a clip of six spare rounds. Generally, only officers older than thirty years old were armed, reflecting the Metropolitan Police's preference for equipping only mature officers with such significant responsibility. Training for these officers included a three-day firearm instruction course on both the Smith and Wesson M10 (with a 4-inch barrel for accuracy) and the M36 (a two-inch barrel, primarily issued to CID officers).

By the 1990s, DPG officers saw an upgrade in their standard issue firearm, transitioning to the Glock 17 9mm self-loading pistol, which featured a 17-bullet magazine, significantly increasing their firepower and capacity. For the first twenty years of its existence, DPG officers were covertly armed, meaning their firearms were concealed. This changed in May 1994, when specially-trained officers attached to the Met's armed response units were authorised to openly wear their handguns. Just a few months later, following a massive car bomb attack on the Israeli embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens in July 1994, which injured fourteen people, the requirement for armed units of the Metropolitan Police to hide their weapons when operating in sensitive areas was lifted. This shift reflected the escalating threat environment, with firearms attacks on Metropolitan Police officers having increased seven-fold in the preceding year.

DPG Armament Evolution

Significant Engagements and Expanding Responsibilities

Since its establishment, The Diplomatic Protection Group has been involved in numerous significant events that have shaped its role and public perception. One early incident occurred in July 1978, when a grenade was thrown under the Iraqi Ambassador's car parked outside the Kensington Embassy. Following a tip-off that the embassy would be a target within days, leave for the entire DPG was cancelled, highlighting their immediate response capabilities.

Perhaps the most well-known event involving the DPG was the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980. On 30th April, an alarm bell from the Embassy sounded at Scotland Yard, and armed police from the DPG immediately rushed to the scene. PC Trevor Lock, who had only been seconded to the DPG in January 1980, displayed extraordinary bravery throughout the terrifying six-day standoff at the Kensington embassy. He was awarded the George Medal for Gallantry for his role. PC Lock had just gone on duty to stand guard at the front of the Embassy when terrorists stormed the building, firing automatic weapons. He was taken hostage along with Embassy staff but remarkably managed to keep his Smith and Wesson .38 revolver concealed under his overcoat, as the captors had not expected British police to be armed. PC Lock acted as a crucial go-between, negotiating with both the terrorists and the police, all while bravely working to keep his fellow hostages calm. This incident dramatically shifted the DPG's role from providing a reassuring presence to direct involvement in high-stakes, life-threatening situations.

Beyond immediate crises, the DPG's responsibilities expanded considerably. The 1981 Royal Wedding, for instance, represented Britain's biggest security operation to date, demanding extensive extra duties from the DPG, including guarding official foreign visitors and maintaining vigilance over their embassies, residences, and hotels. By the 2000s, all DPG officers were required to undergo stringent security vetting, including a counter-terrorism check (CTC) conducted by the Government, underscoring the heightened threat environment.

The DPG's role further expanded to include responsibility for certain Government sites. They were regularly deployed to provide support for major national events, such as state visits, the 2011 Royal Wedding, and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, demonstrating their adaptability and vital contribution to national security.

The Modern Era: Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP)

In April 2015, as part of a major re-organisation within the Metropolitan Police Service aimed at streamlining protection squads, The Diplomatic Protection Group (SO6) was merged with the Palace of Westminster Division (SO17). This amalgamation led to the formation of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP). This strategic merger reduced the number of dedicated protection squads from four to two, creating a more integrated and efficient security apparatus. Today, PaDP stands as the largest armed command in England, Scotland, and Wales, reflecting its expansive remit and the critical nature of its protective duties for both the diplomatic community and the parliamentary estate.

Understanding Diplomatic Vehicle Registration Plates

While the red cars of the Met's PaDP are distinct, it's also worth understanding how diplomatic vehicles themselves are identified. Most countries issue special diplomatic licence plates to accredited diplomats. These plates typically feature distinctive characteristics that allow police and other authorities to easily distinguish them from regular vehicles. This distinction is crucial because operators and passengers of these vehicles often benefit from diplomatic immunity, an international agreement that grants them certain legal protections and privileges.

Conventions for the format of diplomatic licence plates vary globally. However, they frequently incorporate specific letters such as "CD" (for "Corps Diplomatique"), "CC" (for "Corps Consulaire"), or simply "D" (for "Diplomat"). Some plates may also feature prefixes for international organisations with diplomatic privileges, such as "EU" for the European Union or "OSCE" for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Despite their intended purpose of facilitating diplomatic functions, these plates and the immunity they signify have sometimes drawn criticism. Critics argue that operators of diplomatic vehicles occasionally abuse these privileges, leading to issues such as illegal parking or traffic violations without fear of repercussion. For example, in 2019, Japan recorded 2,600 parking violations involving diplomatic cars, with only 25% of the fines paid. Similarly, in Washington, D.C., diplomatic vehicles accumulated over $745,280 in unpaid traffic and parking tickets between 2002 and 2019.

Are Red Police Cars Armed Response Units?

A common question arises regarding the red police cars: are they armed response units (ARVs)? While the officers of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP) Group are indeed armed, their primary function is not that of a general armed response unit that would typically attend a wide range of serious incidents across the city. Instead, their role is highly specialised: they predominantly provide security for London's diplomatic community and the parliamentary estate in Westminster. This means they are armed for the specific purpose of protecting high-profile individuals and iconic sites within their designated operational areas.

General armed response units (ARVs) in the Metropolitan Police, while also armed, operate with a broader remit to respond to any serious firearms incident or threat requiring an armed police presence anywhere in the capital. While both units carry firearms, their deployment and strategic objectives differ. You might also notice that armed motorcycle officers often wear head-to-toe black rather than the high-visibility jackets common for regular patrol colleagues, further differentiating specialist roles within the police force.

Frequently Asked Questions About London's Red Police Cars

Why are some police cars red in London?

The red colour was chosen for the Metropolitan Police's Diplomatic Protection Group (now Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection, PaDP) to make them easily recognisable and distinct from other police vehicles. It was intended to signify their unique role to the diplomatic community and was also associated with diplomacy and royalty. Early models of these cars were available in a suitable darker red shade, like Damask Red, which cemented the colour choice.

What is the Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG)?

The Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG) was a specialist unit within the Metropolitan Police, formed in 1974, responsible for providing security for foreign diplomats, their staff, embassies, and consulates in London. It was established in response to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and heightened security threats. In 2015, it merged with the Palace of Westminster Division to form the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP) Group, which continues this vital work alongside protecting the parliamentary estate.

Are red police cars armed?

Yes, officers within the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP) Group, who operate the red cars, are armed. They are specially trained and equipped to deal with high-threat situations, providing armed security for diplomats, government officials, and sensitive locations. While armed, their role is distinct from general armed response units; their focus is on specific protective duties.

Where can I see these red cars in London?

You are most likely to spot these distinctive red (and increasingly silver) PaDP vehicles in areas of London with a high concentration of diplomatic premises, such as Kensington, Belgravia, and St. James's. They are also frequently seen around the parliamentary estate in Westminster, including near Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament, given their dual role in protecting both diplomatic and parliamentary interests.

What is diplomatic immunity and how does it relate to these cars?

Diplomatic immunity is a principle of international law that grants accredited diplomats and certain other foreign government officials immunity from the jurisdiction of the host country's laws. While the red police cars protect diplomats, diplomatic immunity applies to the diplomats themselves and is often indicated by special vehicle registration plates on their personal or official vehicles (e.g., plates with "CD" or "D"), not the police protection vehicles.

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