ESN and collaboration drives £700m police spend

Police investment in technology and construction will top £700 million for the second year running. Analysis of 2016/17 figures from forces in England and Wales reveals a planned total spend of £732 million, with headline schemes in collaborative technology and buildings.

The analysis by Police Market Report, the monthly subscriber-only bulletin that specialises in police information and communications technology, finds much of this is funded by reserves, which will top £1 billion in 2016/17.

Collaborative initiatives have a substantially higher profile in this year’s breakdown, which examines spending across more than 30 application categories.

Preparation work for round one of the Emergency Services Network (ESN) delivery means radio replacement-related spending is up 80 per cent on the previous year.

Forces are also widening digital boundaries in terms of storage, evidence handling and monitoring, says Police Market Report.

Data estates are growing with several major repositories in the pipeline for 2016.17. This is paralleled by several major new-builds planned to enhance collaboration and support agile working.

Police Market Report editor John Rowland says technology investment will be augmented by 2016/17 Police Innovation Funding, which this year totals £55 million: “A sample of the 140 bids examined by Police Market Report finds around two-thirds are tech-related. Favoured schemes include various platforms for sharing information and customer contact.”

Mr Rowland said transformation schemes started in 2015/16 “have dented reserves by 24 per cent”, but this year’s finance settlement, which drew back from major cuts, “created some breathing room”.

The Police Market Report analysis highlights “several outstanding themes”: “The tech imperative remains do more with less money. A newer trend is the move to inclusive new-builds to accommodate other blue-lights. More can be expected via the Innovation Fund and Transformation Fund.”

Mr Rowland explained: “Reserve levels indicate that most forces are prepared for change financially. There are several that look vulnerable, leaving aside the handful which have already opted for wholesale outsourcing.

“More needs to be known about how the ESN will work, how it will help change business processes and what opportunities it will create.

“A great deal hinges on the success of the ESN. A smooth changeover is vital to keep everything on course and in budget.”

•For further information contact reports@policemarketreport.co.uk or visit www.policemarketreport.co.uk