1.
GV Crowded streets and parked vehicles (4 shots)
0.26

2.
SV Police Z-wagon stops by car
0.32

3.
SV Police out of Z-wagon ad connect hoist to car (4 shots)
1.07

4.
SV Police lift vehicle onto back of Z-wagon (3 shots)
1.44

5.
SV & GV Police into Z-wagon and drive away (2 shots)
2.03



Initials BB/0251 TS/AH/BB/0307



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: London traffic police have added a new weapon to their arsenal...the deadly Z-wagon. It's been designed to deal swiftly and surely with people who park their cars where they shouldn't, or drivers who let their parking meters expire.

Scotland Yard's transport branch developed the Z-wagon, and it went out into London's streets for the first time on Wednesday (11 July).

If a car is illegally parked, the Z-wagon is sent for by radio, and in a matter of minutes, it simply eliminates the problem of the parked car. Its two hydraulically operated arms fall harmlessly over the car, securing it by its wheels and suspension, then at the touch of a button, the car is lifted off the ground, and onto the truck. Police are so pleased with their Z-wagon that they're getting another one.

SYNOPSIS: London...car parker's nightmare city, and it's getting worse. These days, simply finding a place to park can be bad enough. But coming back to where you parked the car and finding it just not there does terrible things to a driver's morale. But with more and more people parking where they shouldn't in London police have really tackled the problem seriously. the transport branch at Scotland Yard has come up with a catastrophe for illegal parkers...the mighty Z-wagon.

On Wednesday, the police tore the wraps off their parking-cheater eater and they showed how they can effectively, quickly and without a single scratch, just remove the problem. Towing away parked cars is a bit old hat, and it does have a few problems. This way, it's harmless, fast, and excellent spectator fare. Two hydraulically operated arms over the offending car connect the chains under the wheels and the suspension, and in just under two minutes, all's ready for the Z-wagon to perform.

A touch of a button is all it takes, and the offending car is hoisted into the air, out of the way, and nearly onto the back of the Z-wagon. Scotland Yard says the Z-Wagon is fast, efficient and the best method yet to deal with illegal parkers. It's also expensive. This one cost ten thousand pounds, but the police are so happy with it that they've ordered another one. Naturally, drivers get their cars back. All they have to do is find out which pound the car's in, and part with a few pounds of their own. And as the deadly Z-wagon disappears into the traffic with another victim, it leaves one sobering thought. Don't forget your parking meter money.