Exclusive: Police spend thousands because officers can't reverse park

South Yorkshire Police chiefs decided this would be more cost effective than paying the regular repair bills.

Often incidents happened as staff tried to reverse in police station yards, damaging two vehicles at once.

When repair bills reached an average of 60,000 a year – even though all police officers must pass more stringent tests than other drivers – it was decided to fit all new vehicles with sensors.

Although only a few people were hurt by reversing mistakes, the cost burden increased as officers were then diverted from normal duties to fill in forms.

The sensors emit "bleeping" noises to alert drivers. Most are fitted to the backs of cars but some vehicles supplied to South Yorkshire Police also have them on the front so drivers avoid collisions when moving forwards.

Some cars have the sensors as standard, others have them as factory-fitted "extras". A few have had sensors added later. Some cost more than 500 per vehicle, although others are far cheaper.

Humberside Police also now buys cars with reversing sensors – but only chooses models with the equipment as "standard to save extra costs.

North and West Yorkshire police only add the devices to large vehicles, such as secure cell vans used for transporting prisoners.

Former Home Secretary and Sheffield's Brightside and Hillsborough MP David Blunkett suggested: "Perhaps it would be worth spending a bit of money on advanced driving courses."

South Yorkshire Police fleet manager Martin Whysall said: "Police station yards were not necessarily designed for cars and they can be tight in terms of space."