IT is the first vehicle of its kind to be used by a police force in the UK.

Constructed using some of the world's most advanced technology it can withstand gunfire, grenades and bomb blasts.

Now Hampshire police has unveiled a £120,000 armoured Land Rover as its latest tool in the fight against crime.

The four-tonne vehicle will replace the force's outdated current armoured car, which was bought on the recommendation of the Home Office following the Hungerford shootings in August 1987.

The new car will be used for armed incidents such as sieges, counter-terrorism and detaining violent criminals across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Roger Medwell, chief executive of NP Aerospace, which helped develop the vehicle alongside British defence giants Qinetiq and Hampshire Constabulary, said: "This is possibly the most advanced vehicle we have ever produced. It's made of the strongest material known to man - Dyneema.

"It will stop all the threats you are likely to get in the UK and is extremely good against bomb blasts. If there was a bomb blast this is the vehicle you would want to be in as it actually absorbs the energy of the blast.

"We have been working with the Army for 30 years and built the armoured vehicles used in Northern Ireland. No army in the world has this sort of advanced technology."

Steve Watts, assistant chief constable for specialist operations, said: "It's a real first for Hampshire and as far as I know it's the first vehicle of its type in the country."

The car was dispatched to the Isle of Wight for its first operation but police refused to comment on the nature of the incident.