Five police stations and its fleet management workshop in Killingworth each has its own charging point, joining a network of almost 400 installed in the North East by Charge Your Car. The points are accessible to the scheme’s own members, as well as ad-hoc users via a pay as you go facility.

Clare Swift, sustainable development advisor for Northumbria Police, said: ‘It made sense that if EVs are going to be eventually included in the fleet, once a suitable vehicle becomes available and is approved nationally,  that we put in place the necessary infrastructures to futureproof ourselves.  In addition, we’re now in a position to offer electric charging facilities to visitors who require them at our strategic locations within the force.’

Josey Wardle, project manager for Charge your Car, added: ‘By recognising that significance of EVs at this early stage, Northumbria Police has been able to take advantage of the grant funding that is in place to support the development of the charging point network until the end of the year.  We hope that more businesses, organisations and individuals will follow suit.’