South Yorkshire responds to criticism of car hire costs

Criticism by the Liberal Democrats of the money police forces spend on hire cars has evoked a strong response from South Yorkshire Police’s Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes.

Home Affair’s spokesman, Chris Huhne, announced the figures, revealedthrough a freedom of information request, which show that more than £132 million has been spent on car hire in the last five years.

Mr Hughes criticised the party for using the figures to generate publicity and said that hiring cars was more cost effective.
“This is a story that isn’t a story,” he said.

“South Yorkshire Police is proud of the way it uses the public’s resources.”

The figures revealed that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) spent the most on car hire – more than £48 million – but following an internal review, in December 2009 the force announced its plans to reduce the number of hire vehicles it uses by 500, equating to a £2 million saving.
South Yorkshire Police was found to have spent just over £2.5 million.

Mr Hughes said: “We hire cars to transport officers investigating major incidents, such as murder inquiries, terrorist incidents and other major crimes.

“We also hire specialist vehicles in very bad weather, for example where there are problems like flooding.

“This is much more cost-effective than owning the cars full-time.”

Mr Huhne said the amounts forces were spending on hire cars were “unnecessarily lavish” at a time “when police budgets are under extreme pressure”.
“Hiring cars at appropriate times can save forces money, but if they are being hired while police cars are not in use, it is simply a waste of taxpayers’ money,” he said.

In a statement, Mr Hughes said: “The Liberal Democrats would do better to come and ask South Yorkshire Police how we are spending the money rather than wasting everyone’s time trying to get publicity for their party.”