Title and Reference – PCC/D/029
Subject: Technical Surveillance Equipment – Violence Against Women and Children
Report of: Police and Crime Commissioner
Date: 19/10/2024

Summary:

Bedfordshire Police Central Intelligence Bureau (CIB) would like the OPCC to support the purchase of a piece of technical surveillance equipment that can support police searches to detect hidden surveillance devices, most commonly in a residential premises or on a vehicle. The surveillance equipment will reduce the cost to Bedfordshire Police, preventing the need for a search team, including a POLSA, 3 search trained Police Officers and a member of CIB, the surveillance equipment can be utilised by several police teams and officers to support victims of domestic abuse, harassment, and stalking.

The proposal is to pilot the use of the surveillance equipment in Bedfordshire Police, to achieve several outcomes relating to the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) agenda which features in the police and Crime Plan manifestos for 2024-2028, pertaining to the Reduction of Violence Against Women and Children.

Technical Surveillance Kit – Provider 1 determined
At a cost of £44,936.00, the surveillance equipment and training product are considered by CIB to be the most user friendly, deployable, and cost-effective model. Ensuring maximum benefit to Bedfordshire, the lack of accreditation/ formal training opens an opportunity to Bedfordshire Police to use the surveillance equipment using a broad range of officers, reducing impact on resources, while also enabling access to other force areas to hire the equipment should such an arrangement be put into place.

Income Generation

If deemed suitable by Bedfordshire Police, the surveillance equipment, due to its ease of use could be hired out to other Police areas, this would encourage mutual aid, partnership working and could generate income for Bedfordshire police should other Police areas pay to access the equipment.

Other options considered:

4.1 Technical Surveillance Kit – Provider 2 determined
At a cost of £52,371, the equipment was less cost effective and required a greater amount of training which reduced the flexibility of deployability across Bedfordshire Police and potentially other force areas. The item was more resource intensive to deploy. While the item potentially a greater accuracy through enhanced technology, the surveillance equipment was more appropriate to higher level surveillance needs.

4.2 Technical Surveillance Kit – Provider 3 determined
At a cost of £53,796, the equipment was less cost effective and required a greater amount of training which reduced the flexibility of deployability across Bedfordshire Police and potentially other force areas. The item was more resource intensive to deploy. While the item potentially a greater accuracy through enhanced technology, the surveillance equipment was more appropriate to higher level surveillance needs.

It is recommended that the Chief executive on behalf of the PCC supports this decision to purchase the surveillance equipment as per the detail contained within the document to achieve the outcomes against the Reduction of Violence Against Women and Children in accordance with the Police and Crime Plan, in addition to multiple improvements within Bedfordshire Police regarding solved rates, victim experiences and prevention of reoffending.

Recommendation:
To note decision
Bedfordshire Acting Chief Executive Wayne Humberstone
I hereby approve the recommendations above.