Ever pondered what constables carry in the boot of their patrol cars?
Naturally, a police response vehicle would be equipped with all the necessary items an officer might require to handle any incident or disruption. The usual suspects might include handcuffs, barrier tape, a torch, and perhaps some radio equipment.
However, viewers were left scratching their heads after a Metropolitan Police officer revealed the contents of his car boot – particularly two unexpected items. Chris, from the Met, took to TikTok on the force’s official page to share a peek into his patrol car’s boot.
Among the items he showcased were traffic cones for road closures during accidents, traffic signs, blue lights, a first aid kit, and police tape for cordoning off crime scenes. He also displayed a ‘stinger’, a device used by police to halt vehicles by deflating their tyres, also known as spike strips or tyre deflation devices.
These items are undoubtedly essential for a police officer, whether they need to halt a vehicle during a pursuit or attend a crime scene. However, two items that left viewers bemused were a broom and a shovel.
One individual questioned: “Why shovel?” while another asked, “What’s a broom going to do?” Others chimed in with similar queries: “Why do you need a shovel?” and “What will you use the broom for?” Many were perplexed, but some thought the reason for carrying a broom and shovel was self-evident. One respondent clarified: “Why are so many confused the broom and shovel is for cleaning debris.”
Another offered a practical explanation: “Sweeping debris off the road after a collision.”
This debate echoes a 2018 post by the Felixstowe and Woodbridge Police on X, who shared an inventory of items typically carried in a response vehicle, highlighting the array of equipment officers may need to respond effectively. The full list was as follows:
- Accident panels x2
- Arrow panels x2
- Slow panels x2
- Road closed panels x2
- Sign stands x2
- Red and white cones x5
- Blue flashing lamps x4
- Fire extinguisher x1
- Saw x1
- Shovel x1
- Broom x1
- Sealed first aid kit x1
- Map book x1
- Draeger breathalyser x1
- Sat nav x1
- Pegs for SOCO cones x2
- SOCO cones x2
- Blanket in bag x1
- Access card to police investigation centre x1
- Hard hats x2
- Safety glasses x1
- Ear plugs x1
- Spit hood x1
- Police scene tape x1
- Scene log x1
- Early evidence kit x1
- Hand swab kit x1
- Sexual offences kit or vehicle seat cover x1
- Bolt croppers x1
- Dog spray x1
- Emergency hammer x1
- Yellow spray can x1
- Safety knife x1
- Crowbar x1
- Knife container x1
- Smart water torch x1
- Disposable face mask x1
- Hand sanitiser x1
- Sharps box x1
- Heavy duty gloves x1
- Goggles x1
- Tape measure x1
- Escape hood x2
