Jason Hogg says Thames Valley Police body armour saved 2 lives
thames valley police is repurposing unused equipment that no longer fits current UK policing requirements, and Chief Constable Jason Hogg said the work has already helped protect lives in war zones. One recent example involved body armour from the force, fitted to an evacuation vehicle, that absorbed the blast from a drone attack.
In that incident, two casualties and two crew members survived. The force said the wider initiative has saved thousands of pounds by cutting disposal costs and passing usable kit through a trusted humanitarian process instead of destroying it.
Jason Hogg on Thames Valley Police
Hogg said he was proud of the colleagues behind the initiative. “I am incredibly proud of the colleagues behind this initiative,” he said. “What started as a simple, practical idea has made a real difference to people working in some of the most challenging and dangerous conditions imaginable.”
He also said: “By thinking differently, we’re reducing waste, saving public money and ensuring equipment that still has value continues to protect lives rather than being destroyed.” He added: “It’s a powerful example of how small changes can deliver meaningful impact.”
Kit Sent to War Zones
The equipment is going to police officers, firefighters, paramedics and volunteers responding to emergencies in war zones. Thames Valley Police said teams identified that the unused kit still retained protective and operational value, even though it no longer aligned with current UK policing requirements.
That includes body armour, thermal clothing, boots and wellies, first aid kits, hand sanitiser turned into candles, and CBRN equipment. The force said the clothing is helping prevent cold-related injuries, the boots are reducing cases of trench foot, and the first aid kits continue to support trauma care.
Protective Gear and Disposal Costs
The most direct test of the programme came when armour from the force was fitted to a lightly protected evacuation vehicle used for casualty evacuation and resupply. During the drone strike, the armour took the blast, and the vehicle's crew survived.
For Thames Valley Police, the arrangement avoids sending usable kit to landfill and lowers disposal costs at the same time. The force framed the work as a way to keep equipment in service where it still has a use, rather than letting it become waste once it falls outside UK policing needs.
