British cops get Ford Raptors

Cops in the UK have announced that they have begun evaluating both the Ford Ranger Raptor and the Ford Focus ST wagon with a view to recruiting them full-time for the force.

Already on trial with a police force in South Wales, the Raptors were prepped by Ford UK's Special Vehicle Preparation to include the standard police livery, light bars and sirens.

Chosen for its rural duties, Ford said the British cops were attracted to the hardcore pick-up because it was "capable of travelling off road almost as quickly as on it".

Before it's given the green (or should that be blue?) light for purchase, the Welsh police will assess whether the Raptor's mechanicals, durability ground clearance and, even, the wading depth measure up.

Set to be chosen by cops working in remote rural locations what the Ranger Raptor won't be doing is speed enforcement as its twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel produces only 157kW and 500Nm of torque means the Ford ute can only reach a limited 169km/h.

That's nowhere near enough for highway work in South Wales that between 2016 and 2018 was judged the fourth worst place for speeding in the UK, with an incredible 135,315 tickets issued.

More appropriate to catch speeders on the UK's network of highways is the 250km/h Ford Focus ST wagon that's powered by a punch 2.3-litre turbo four that pumps out 206kW and 420Nm and hurtles it to 100km/h in just 5.8 seconds.

Sitting 10mm lower than the regular wagon, with 20 percent firmer dampers up front and 13 per cent stiffer shockers at the rear the sports chassis should mean the ST wagon should be capable of keeping up with the bad guys cross country.

Sadly, when sales of the Focus ST finally commence Down Under this March 2020, we'll only have the option of the hatch.

If both the Raptor and Focus ST are chosen by the police they'll join a long list of famous fast Fords used to enforce the law including the current Ford Focus RS, Sierra and Escort Cosworth, RS200 and a long line of Capris.