Traffic police join Netherlands 999 vehicle parade

Staffordshire Police officers are part of an international emergency services vehicle parade in the Netherlands.

The Blue Light Ride on Wednesday was aimed at cheering up children in hospital, and was organised to mark 75 years of the International Police Association (IPA).

Roads crime team PC Chris Bagnall said it would bring some festive joy, and their vehicle is believed to be the first UK police marked car into the Netherlands.

The journey is from Toverland in Sevenum to VieCuri Medical Centre in Venlo and the idea is to light up the dark streets with the blue lights of the emergency vehicles. Officers then meet families of the children to share gifts and stories.

It was an exciting opportunity to mark the 75th anniversary of the IPA, bring some festive joy to children and vulnerable people and strengthen ties with international colleagues, said PC Bagnall.

The IPA is a friendship group for serving and retired police officers, with 380,000 members across 68 countries.

The trip is being funded through sponsorship, and the car is a non-operational vehicle, said the force.

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