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English: Motorsport enthusiasts will get a chance to see the latest weapon in the fight against reckless and dangerous driving in the West Midlands at a national motor show this weekend.

A brand-new Jaguar XF Sportbrake that will soon be patrolling the Midlands motorway network will be on show at Autosport International, which opens at the NEC today.

The fully-kitted out and logoed estate car will be on show alongside one of its predecessors from 1969. The now privately-owned Mark 2 Jaguar is a fully marked police car, which patrolled the M6 in Staffordshire some 40 years ago.

Officers from the Central Motorway Police Group, the team which covers 450 miles of the nation’s busiest motorways and major A roads, will be showcasing their work, whilst offering some fun, but informative advice on how to stay safe.

Since April 2010 CMPG officers seized controlled drugs to the value of £7.4 million, assets worth £4.6 million and an additional £4.6 million of cash from criminals on the motorway network.

Chief Superintendent Martin Evans, CMPG commander, says his officers should provide an interesting stop off for the many enthusiasts at the popular Midlands-based show.

“Autosport International is attended by tens of thousands of people who are all interested in cars, bikes and motorsport in particular and that is just the audience who we’re keen to engage with about the good work we do,” he said.

“I’m sure they’ll find the fully-kitted out cars of interest, whilst seeing some of the very different things we do to catch criminals, whilst keeping people safe on the roads.

“Officers from the regional Collision Investigation Unit will also be on hand to talk about the horrors, and the causes, of so many of the major crashes that they deal with.

“We’ll also be urging people to try on our ‘beer goggles’ which we use to educate people about just how much of an impact drinking alcohol can have on you before you step behind the wheel.”

Central Motorway Police Group’s finest will be exhibiting, free of charge, alongside some of the greats from the motorsport world, including Sir Jackie Stewart, British Force India Formula One star Paul di Resta, British Touring Car champion Gordon Shedden and five-time 24 Hour Le Mans winner, Emmanuel Pirro. Every single Grand Prix winning car from the 2012 season will also be on display.

CSupt Evans added: “Our aim is to engage with the public and discuss issues within motorway and roads policing which concern them.

“Whether people are regular users of the motorway network, or they travel on our patch once in a blue moon, the advice and information we can give will be of interest.

“Issues such as anti social driving, excess speed and using gadgets whilst on the move apply no matter whether it’s a small residential road or the M6.

“I seriously hope that by exhibiting at the show we will increase the public’s awareness of both the work we do to keep road users safe, as well as passing on crucial advice to change the mindset of the minority whose actions sit outside of the law.”