Use of Vans
Individual police stations may have a van for the accommodation of prisoners and transportation of officers. The Metropolitan Police Service, England makes extensive use of these, particularly among the Territorial Support Group, which carries out public order duties and adapts the vans to carry riot protection equipment.
Police vans may have a flip down wire shield across the windscreen, which helps prevent projectiles from damaging the vehicle.
Many forces now differentiate between a "Carrier" - a vehicle used for Public Order situations and therefore equipped with shields etc. and what is commonly known as a "Cub Van" - a small van with a cage in the back.
Read more about this topic: Police Van