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The Parliamentary Committee of Public Accounts has today published a report on police procurement, the Committee claims that a lack of police force collaboration on procurement is not helping to drive down costs.

Members of the Committee have also called for better data so that forces can compare costs and ensure value for taxpayer money - forces are paying varying prices for similar items. The Committee calls on the Government to accelerate plans for more procurement items to be purchased at a national level by the police procurement hub.  

Commenting on the announcement John Dwyer, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner and member of the Collaborative Police Procurement Board, said:  

"Police and Crime Commissioners want to ensure the public are confident that all spending decisions made are as transparent as possible and made in the public's best interests."  

"My colleagues and I are introducing our own checks and balances to monitor force spending and drive greater collaboration between constabularies to reduce costs. We are concerned about the varying prices our forces pay for items. It is essential that Police and Crime Commissioners have access to good quality data so that we can compare costs and ensure greater consistency on price."  

Ends. 

Notes to Editors - PCCs and the APCC

1. For interviews / further information please contact Joel Charles on 07703 124 174.

2. 41 Police and Crime Commissioners replaced Police Authorities on 22.11.12 following elections in every police force area outside London in England and Wales on November 15th 2012.

3. The APCC is a company limited by guarantee. The APCC services are overseen and directed by the Chairman and Board of Directors

APCC Board of Directors;
Chairman of the APCC and Directors: Tony Lloyd PCC
Sir Graham Bright PCC
Anthony Stansfeld PCC
Vera Baird PCC
Ron Ball PCC
Simon Hayes PCC
Cllr Simon Duckworth

4. For the definitive list of PCCs and more information about the Board of the Association of PCCs please visit www.apccs.police.uk

5. The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) offers the following services to PCCs:

• Information on national policing policy issues and legislation.
• Consults PCCs to enable them to develop policy positions and to influence change.
• Facilitates the leadership of PCCs on national governance structures such as the College of Policing, National Crime Agency and Police Professional Bodies.
• Assists PCCs in collaborating to share practice, procure services, and identify ways to achieve efficiencies through working together.