An armed response vehicle (ARV) [1] is a type of police car operated by police forces in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, and British Overseas Territories. Typically crewed by 3 authorised firearms officers (AFOs), they respond to incidents believed to involve firearms or other high-risk situations. [ 2 ]

In 1991 following the shooting and stabbing of several police officers, the armed response vehicles (ARVs) were introduced, with their concept influenced by West Yorkshire Police's Instant Response Cars, as used in 1976.

ARV Officers respond to spontaneous firearms incidents. They typically carry out mobile patrols in vehicles such as the BMW X5, poised to deploy to an incident as needed. ARV AFOs will typically always have a self-loading pistol, such as the Glock 17, on their person.

ARV in Police refers to an Armed Response Vehicle, which is a specialized vehicle used by law enforcement to respond to incidents that may involve firearms or other weapons, enhancing officer safety and public security. These vehicles are equipped with tactical gear and communication devices to support urgent operations.

Jan 14, 2019 · For example, the Cleveland Division of Police’s ARV, Mother II, has a double skin of armor and is rated to stop .50 cal. ball ammunition. Older and retrofitted ARVs need to have a representative ballistic panel test fired to determine its ballistic capabilities.

Jan 31, 2008 · Most agencies got their first ARV when U.S. Military surplus armored cars—mostly Peacekeepers and some M113 APCs—were made available to police in the '80s and '90s, often for the cost of transport.

Sep 7, 2011 · These Armored Rescue Vehicles (ARVs) can play an important role in protecting citizens, as three northern California agencies demonstrated this summer. Let's revisit why SWAT is necessary in today's world.

Dec 22, 2022 · A vehicle transporting authorised firearms officers and a range of lethal and non-lethal weapons. Forces determine the weapons and equipment an ARV carries, and if it patrols overtly armed,...

Mar 19, 2024 · ARV officers will be kept free from the majority of calls, and are often tasked with higher risk arrest enquiries where firearms or other lethal weapons may be a risk, and other high-risk operations. AFO are kept for a specific role, guarding Royal …

VCS Ballistic armed response vehicles provide robust protection to police forces when they most need it. Suitable for armed response units deployed to the most challenging of situations. Equipment specifications unique to each fleet include gun box construction and the design of …