A first PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contract between a private security firm and a police authority has been signed.
In the first PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contract between a private security firm and a police authority, Reliance Secure Task Management (RSTM) has signed with Sussex Police. While several PFI building contracts have been awarded in the police sector, this contract, worth œ90 million over 30 years, involves Reliance managing all custody-related services, including 24-hour provision of custody staff, interpreters, forensic medical support and identification parades. The company will carry out facilities management such as catering and cleaning. Reliance will provide, through a separate ?early services? agreement, support to Sussex?s six existing custody centres and will manage the transfer of all civilian staff currently employed by Sussex. The main contract, due to start in July 2002, involves the finance, design, building and operation of four new custody centres in Brighton, Chichester, Eastbourne and Worthing. Reliance will continue to manage the two existing facilities at Crawley and Hastings. The contractors are also to provide a fully integrated electronic security package to the new buildings incorporating digital CCTV and keyless lock, says Tom Riall, Bristol-based Managing Director of Reliance Secure Task Management, pictured right, with Deputy Chief Constable Maria Wallis. Several other PFI custody-related projects are at the short-list stage.
