AN innovative car designed to reduce costs and help the environment has been introduced to the Hampshire Constabulary fleet of vehicles.

The car, a four-door Honda Civic, is the first police car in Hampshire to run on both conventional petrol and a brand new electric engine.

The machine, which has been issued to Central Hampshire Basic Command Unit, is fitted with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system.

The eco-friendly system works in tandem with a petrol engine to deliver a car that offers optimum performance, with reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

It is the first Honda IMA vehicle purchased by the constabulary and its value will be monitored over the next three years to see if it really has made a difference.

And if it has, then police chiefs are promising more could be on their way.