13 Apr 2013

Dubai to give police Italian sports cars

2:13 pm on 13 April 2013

Dubai is equipping its police with $400,000 Lamborghini sports cars that its deputy police chief says are in keeping with the Gulf capital's image.

Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina said a fleet of Lamborghinis, each estimated to cost around $US400,000, had been obtained by the Dubai police for use at main tourist sites.

"The aim is to reflect the reputation of the emirate and the high stature it achieved," Major General Mazeina said.

"It will also help promote tourism and showcase the security role the Dubai police plays in safeguarding the city," he added.

The vehicles will be deployed at the downtown area near the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa tower, the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard as well as the cafe- and restaurant-lined walk of the Jumeirah Beach Residence, one of the most popular waterfront developments in Dubai.

According to the website of Lamborghini, all the Italian company's cars reach 100 km/h in well under six seconds.

Dubai, one of seven emirates in the UAE federation, is staging a recovery from the financial crisis it suffered during the global financial crisis in 2009, Reuters reports.

The emirate recently has announced several major projects, including a huge tourism and retail development with the largest shopping mall in the world.