We go behind the scenes with the PSNI's Hostage Rescue Vehicles

If you have seen one of the PSNI's Bearcat vehicles on the road in recent months, you may have been mistaken for thinking that the worst was about to happen or that they were props from Blue Lights.

The armoured vehicles which are manufactured in America and are typically used by SWAT teams came into operation last summer at the cost of £1,017,906.27.

Having been purchased for Counter-Terrorism, the initial plan was that the vehicles would be used in the event of an aircraft hijack. However, since taking delivery of the vehicles the PSNI have deployed them on a number of occasions to situations involving vulnerable persons.

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This week, Belfast Live had the opportunity to see the vehicles in action and learn more about how the PSNI plans to use them.

Explaining the need for the vehicles, Airport Commander Supt Mark Roberts said: "The Bearcat vehicle is an armoured vehicle which weighs 11 tonnes and it was primarily purchased for counter-terrorism work.

"It came into service around about a year ago and they were purchased in relation to aircraft hijacks and other counter-terrorism scenarios.

"Very quickly when we bought them and brought them into service we realised that they had a lot more uses where they could assist us to gain access at height, particularly where we are around people who are displaying issues with vulnerability."

Supt Roberts said that by showing the vehicles off, they hope to reassure the public about their usage.

"Quite often when they come out, because of the way they look people think that something significant or terrible is happening and what we want people to know is that this is a vehicle that we have in everyday use that is designed for one reason but we have a lot more uses, especially in dealing with vulnerability.

"We are able to access trains, we are able to access busses through platforms that we can put on the side of them and they provide stability in a way that a ladder wouldn't. If we go onto ladders it provides risks to officers and it provides risks to those we are trying to help.

"You would see these vehicles when we have people who have issues around vulnerability, who are on roofs or at height, people who are on top of vehicles or things like that where we need to get access."

The platform on top of the vehicle allows officers to operate safely at height in a way that they wouldn't using other equipment available to them.

"We have deployed it several times over the last year and we are hoping going forward in the next few weeks and months that you will see a lot more of it on the streets. We know certainly that in at least one case where we have been able to deploy it to someone with very significant difficulties," Supt Roberts continued.

"I have no doubt that on that deployment we were able to save a life by using this vehicle by being able to gain access quickly and safely to deal with the individual in a manner that met their needs.

"One of the key things we want to get across today is don't be frightened of this vehicle. It is just a specialist capability that we have and it is not something that people need to be afraid of on the streets.

The PSNI have two Bearcat vehicles which they share access to with other crime partners.

"We have also engaged with An Garda Síochána and we have trained jointly with them. One of the things with all of our specialist resources that we need to be aware of is that we are an island so whilst there may be other vehicles like this in England, Wales and Scotland, getting them here to help in time when it is needed urgently is not realistic.

"We have these two vehicles and we share them with other crime partners but we are also willing to share them with An Garda Síochána in the south."

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