A £7million budget to repair Scotland’s ageing cop car fleet has been branded “astonishing” by the union representing rank-and-file officers.
Public contract records show the Scottish Police Authority has set aside the equivalent of more than £1.7million annually over the next four years to patch up vehicles – despite force chiefs vowing to cut repair costs by replacing more motors.
Police Scotland defended the projected cost yesterday and said it is investing millions in its bid to be the first emergency service in the UK with a fleet of brand-new, ultra-low emission unmarked vehicles.
But the Scottish Police Federation said the force is still not replacing enough of its older marked cars, previously exposed in the Daily Record for their dangers.
SPF vice-chair Brian Jones said: “The average age of Police Scotland’s fleet is 5.6 years, with the number of vehicles exceeding 150,000 miles growing month on month.
“Vehicles are generally on the road 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With the predicted accident repair budget being £7million, this shows emphasis will be placed on repairing ageing vehicles at a cost well in excess of their actual value rather than them being replaced.”
Last week, Police Scotland announced it had awarded two contracts worth more than £25million to install 400 electric vehicle charging posts at dozens of police sites across the country, while almost 180 Hyundai Kona 64kWh cars will begin to join the fleet from this month.
The first phase will focus on sites along the “Green Corridor” – the roads linking Prestwick, Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports – and was assisted by a £5million injection from the Scottish Government
Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said the new additions would help by “reducing maintenance and servicing costs” and also “assist with improving the existing fleet as the age and mileage thresholds for replacing existing vehicles is being reduced”.
However, the SPF describe the amount being dedicated to repair costs as “astonishing”.
Jones added: “Taking account of the significant reduction in the overall fleet replacement this year, it really begs the question whether the appropriate fiscal strategy is being employed by Police Scotland in relation to its vehicle
management and procurement.”
Police Scotland said: “This contract is for a four-year period to facilitate the repair of vehicles which have sustained damage.
“It is impossible to predict the number or severity of accidents our fleet vehicles may be involved in during the duration of the contract, therefore the contract is for an estimated maximum value of £7million.
“The figure is based on the previous year’s spend for this requirement, which is a standard calculation for estimation of contract values, while factoring in rising costs, such as parts and labour rates.”
