PSNI ‘spends £5m’ on 215 new cars to modernise fleet

A number of vehicles bought in last year already deployed in Belfast and on motorways

THE PSNI purchased more than 200 new vehicles in the last year as the service looks to update and strengthen its fleet.

The 215 vehicles include 120 Seat Leon Estates and 50 Skoda Kodiaqs.

Police would not be drawn on the cost of the vehicles; however, the cost could be approaching £5m.

A spokesperson said “using a framework, police are able to save at least 23% on the cost against vehicle recommended pricing”.

Based on market prices, the 215 vehicles — before modifications such as lights and sirens — would cost around £6.2m.

If the 23% saving is applied, the cost is in the region of £4.7m.

The PSNI did not dispute this figure when it was put to them by the Belfast Telegraph.

Temporary Executive Director of Finance & Support Services Mark Mcnaughten said: “We purchased these 215 vehicles in 2020, in line with our standard Vehicle Replacement Policy. This represents less than 10% of the total police fleet.

“As part of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s plans to modernise and increase the visibility of our fleet, the opportunity was taken to enhance the livery on these vehicles. The introduction of these new vehicles into the fleet will improve visibility, safety and consistency of appearance, ensuring that the public easily recognise our vehicles.”

Of the 215 new vehicles, just 35 of the new fleet are unmarked; however, police would not confirm how many of the new vehicles were armoured for security reasons.

In September 2020 while posting a picture of the new vehicles, PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne tweeted: “I want our police service to be visible and community-focused, so I’m delighted that we are now in the process of distributing the first 44 of over 100 new liveried vehicles to respond to our communities’ needs.”

A breakdown shows 120 of the new vehicles are Seat Leon Estates with a moderately respectable 150bhp.

Several of the new Leons were deployed in the greater Belfast area in the run-up to Christmas.

The vehicle has been a regular feature in Belfast city centre and the Lisburn Road in recent weeks. This isn’t the PSNI’S first purchase from Seat.

The specialist Auto Crime Team have previously purchased a number of models from the Spanish maker who are owned by German giants Volkswagen.

Previous purchases include the high-powered DSG models of the Seat Leon Cupra and FR.

The current car of choice for the PSNI is the Skoda Superb, with officers preferring the armoured variant of the vehicle compared to the older Vauxhall Insignia.

The armoured Skoda Superb has become a regular feature in Belfast with teams in the north and west of the city adopting the vehicle.

The Skoda Superb in various variants has been deployed across all areas of the PSNI with TSG and Armed Response teams opting for the vehicle.

The Superb 2.0 TSI 272PS 4x4 is currently one of the cars of choice used by Armed Response Officers, alongside the already-owned BMW 5 series and Audi A6 Avant models.

Police have purchased another five models of the high-powered Skoda in 2020.

Some of the high-powered options are already in use across Northern Ireland.

The £36,000 BMW F40 M145 was deployed in November as part of the new Police Interceptor team.

The car has become a regular on the M1 and M2 motorways with the team already boasting major success in tackling crime.

A security source told the Belfast Telegraph that the newly purchased Volvo V90 D5s are expected to be deployed with specific teams, most likely Firearms and the Roads Policing Unit.

“Our specialist squads need the faster cars, sometimes seconds can make all the difference, you can’t have a firearms unit heading from Magherafelt to Newry at 60mph in a Penman Land Rover.”

Police have also confirmed that previously photographed “blue Land Rovers” are not planned to be introduced to the fleet.

A police spokesperson said: “The Chief Constable has commissioned a review of the existing fleet management strategy across PSNI.

“Vehicle specifications are developed taking account of national standards, input from national working groups and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) user feedback.

“The vehicles being replaced meet the agreed replacement criteria, in that they are in excess of 100,000 miles and/or six years of age.”

‘As part of plans to modernise and increase visibility of the fleet, the opportunity was taken to enhance the livery on vehicles’