US police departments succumb to power of advertising

CASH-STRAPPED US police forces are to raise funds by displaying advertisements on patrol cars.

Police department vehicles emblazoned with racing car style promotions for anything from local shops to fast food chains will be used to chase criminals within six months. Government Acquisitions, the North Carolina company organising the scheme, offers fully equipped new police cars worth £15,000 for 65 pence, in exchange for using them as roving adverts.

Managing partner Ken Allison said 20 police departments from across the US have already signed up for the offer and hundreds more have enquired about it: "Everybody wins. Cities get the extra protection they need and businesses get a way to contribute to the local police."