South West PCCs invest £2m in ESN

The police and crime commissioners (PCCs) for Devon and Cornwall and Avon and Somerset are investing almost £2 million to ensure the effective implementation of the Government’s new Emergency Services Mobile Communication Programme (ESMCP) that will transform mobile technology for police officers.

This new Emergency Services Network (ESN) will provide the next generation of mobile communication, replacing the existing emergency services Airwave radio network that was introduced more than 15 years ago.

Devon and Cornwall PCC Alison Hernandez has committed £966,000 as part of the £2.8 million South West regional ESMCP; Avon and Somerset PCC Sue Mountstevens is investing £941,285.

Ms Hernandez said the new network will allow secure and resilient 4G voice and data connectivity across the South West.

The regional ESMCP will ensure the effective implementation of the new network, as well as joining up activity with other police forces on testing, vehicle fit-out and learning and development.

“This important programme will mean that officers have simple access to rich sources of data as well as being in essential voice contact with other officers and central control,” said Ms Hernandez.

“This complex programme is being led by Devon and Cornwall Police officers. It will help ensure that the implementation is fully cognisant of the special features present in the peninsula, such as large rural spaces and coastline.”

She added: “A modern police force needs effective technology. This is not currently the case in Devon and Cornwall and it impacts on performance for 101 as well as well as for officers on the ground. A lot of good work is being undertaken but more needs to be done and I have already given instructions to my team that this area becomes an early priority.”

The commitment to invest in the new platform was made at a meeting of the South West Regional Strategic Board that is attended by the all the South West PCCs and chief constables – Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Ms Mountstevens said making sure police officers have the right tools for the job was a priority.

“Modern policing needs effective technology and this important programme of work with our colleagues across the South West means that officers will have simple access to data, greater connectivity and essential voice contact with other officers and the control room,” she added.

“The work that is already underway on the ESMCP by Devon and Cornwall Police is vital for our future and I will continue to explore effective programmes of work like this on a regional basis to ensure that we make savings and efficiencies.”

The national rollout of the new ESN will begin in December 2017, with the South West stage being completed by December 2019.

Unlike the previous system that used a bespoke carrier system, the ESN will be carried on commercial networks supplied by EE and supported by Motorola. The emergency services will have primacy of use on these commercial systems.

When implemented the new system will provide significantly increased functionality at a reduced cost compared to the current network.

EE says its 4G network will significantly improve the efficiency of the emergency services by giving them access to the type of data and applications that have benefitted private businesses in recent years.