Case Studies

Crime scene service

by Mark Rowe

Wiltshire Police have signed a contract with the multi-national security firm Securitas to provide a dedicated service to guard major crime scenes in Wiltshire. The contract comes into immediate effect.

Temporary DCI Jeremy Carter, from Brunel Crime Investigation Team, said: “Protecting the scene of a major crime is an integral part of an investigation ensuring that evidence is not disrupted, destroyed or contaminated. It is important for the senior investigating officer in the Major Crime Investigation Team to know that Securitas will respond immediately when called upon and is capable of securing a crime scene very quickly anywhere within Wiltshire. By outsourcing the guarding we are able to release police officers from that work to front line policing and reduce costs.”

Contracting out the guarding of major crime scenes has been tried by other forces in the south west; where it has been found to be a way of securing evidence and preventing contamination or interference at the scenes of a crime. It is likely that the service will only be used when there is a need for protracted guarding, the guard firm and police say.

Wiltshire Chief Constable Mike Veale said: “We review our services to offer the best value to the public and this contract will free officers to concentrate on their primary roles rather than guarding. There are no ongoing costs to Wiltshire Police other than the actual use of the service when attending a crime scene.”

Securitas guards wear their Securitas branded uniforms at the scenes.

Michael Clancy, Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Lead – UK Policing, Securitas UK said: “Modern day policing requires a different approach, as the pressure to more effectively manage costs and resources must be balanced against increasing levels of threat and incidents that require police forces to be at optimum strength. Taking a partnership approach with Wiltshire Police, our Crime Scene Guarding service can quickly provide fully and specifically trained, accredited and professional Protective Services Officers to maintain the critical security of a crime scene. By providing this around the clock service, Wiltshire Police have been able to release their police officers back to valuable frontline policing duties, at a significantly reduced cost and while maintaining the high standards expected of the police service.”

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