Met Police Unit – Traffic (Black Rats)

Ah yes, the legendary Met Traffic Division.

Known far and wide throughout the rank and file as the Black Rats, and occasionally (by the bitter and recently ticketed) as the School Crossing Brigade, the Lollipop Lads and Lassies, or the Knights of the Highways.

Traffic were the specialists of the road, the keepers of the sacred Highway Code, and the only unit capable of spotting a bald tyre from three lanes away at 50mph.

They were always immaculate, always professional, and always seemingly positioned at the exact spot where a perfectly decent copper, late for briefing, would accidentally drift one mile per hour above the limit.

Their mission was simple.

Protect the public, keep London moving, and relieve the speedy of their loose change, one fine at a time.

This artwork captures the unmistakable identity of Met Traffic. The white cap, the motorcyclist helmet, the warrant card, and that quiet authority that says, “Good afternoon sir, do you know why I stopped you”, even when you absolutely do.