THE Home Office is calling for the Government’s own fleet to choose high security vehicles recommended by the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, Thatcham.

It has asked the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) to take account of vehicles reaching a high security standard when making purchasing decisions.

Vehicles which reach a high standard are recognised in the British Insurance Car Security Awards (BICSA), based on security assessments by Thatcham, and the Government is planning to use this as a benchmark for choice lists.

Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said: ‘This year, more cars have met the standard for the British Insurance Car Security Awards, up by a third compared with last year.

‘The Government is setting the standard by asking the Government Car and Dispatch Agency to take account of the awards when deciding which cars they buy and encourages other fleet buyers to follow this example.’

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears has already written to the GCDA, the Home Office and other Government departments with details of the vehicles highly rated for security in this year’s awards.