BT secures £70 million IT services deal with South West police forces

The new long-term agreement will strengthen both police forces’ technology estates by creating a “future-fit infrastructure” designed to support more joined-up policing, with the potential to extend the contract to neighbouring forces in the South West region.

The managed service contract will underpin a range of the police’s information, technology and communication demands, including field mobile, airwave vehicle and handheld connectivity for the Emergency Services alongside security and customer service desk applications.

It will see BT work with both police forces to support public contact and staff collaboration platforms, delivering efficiencies for 101 and 999 services, while in parallel improving intelligence gathering and data sharing for staff.

Front line police officers will benefit from improved connectivity for devices such as mobile phones, body-worn cameras and vehicle radio systems, in turn delivering benefits for local policing by affording officers access to critical real-time information.

Security frameworks

BT will also assist the forces in remaining compliant with security frameworks, supporting measures to strengthen their security protocols against external threats. Together, these services will support Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police with their digital policing strategy and strengthen crime prevention efforts, while also delivering expected financial efficiencies.

More than 5,100 police officers and 3,500 police staff work within the two forces, and they employ upward of 550 Police Community Support Officers and special constables.

As part of the contract, BT has agreed to progress social value-centred initiatives for both forces, implementing measures to improve transparency on the environmental impact of policing activities in the South West region.

Resilient infrastructure

Ashish Gupta, managing director for the corporate and public sector at BT, said: “Efficient and resilient technology infrastructure is crucial to support the police in tackling both current and emerging threats. We’re proud to be in a position to deliver exactly that for policing in the South West. This new managed service from BT will help future-proof connectivity in all areas of policing, from those on the front line to behind-the-scenes support staff, helping them to protect the public and keep pace with the changing nature of crime.”

Mark Chivers, chief technology officer at Devon and Cornwall Police, noted that the new contract has followed on from a successful long-term relationship between BT and Devon and Cornwall Police for IT managed services.

“We are looking forward to working closely with BT colleagues to implement a new contract across both Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police and for the company to act as our key technology partner in what’s now a rapidly changing environment,” observed Chivers.

Chivers added: “BT brings a wealth of expertise from its wider organisation to this new arrangement. Having a contract in place that covers both forces will enable service improvements and efficiencies through the standardisation of service across this strategic alliance.”

*Further information is available online at www.bt.com