British Telecom (BT) has secured a ten-year, £70 million IT services contract with Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police.

The deal will enhance frontline operations by providing services like support for body-worn cameras, vehicle radio systems, and access to real-time information, improving connectivity between officers and desk staff.

British Telecom (BT) has secured a ten-year, £70 million IT services contract with Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. This deal will enhance frontline operations by providing services like support for body-worn cameras, vehicle radio systems, and access to real-time information, improving connectivity between officers and desk staff.

The two forces, which handle over a million emergency and non-emergency calls annually and respond to more than 118,000 crime incidents, will benefit from a future-ready infrastructure supporting more integrated policing. The agreement includes the potential to extend the contract to neighboring forces in the South West.

The managed service contract will address the police’s IT and communication needs, including mobile, airwave, and handheld connectivity for emergency services, along with security and customer service desk applications. BT will work with the forces to enhance public contact platforms and staff collaboration, improving efficiency in 101 and 999 services while boosting intelligence gathering and data sharing.

BT will also ensure compliance with security frameworks, helping the forces strengthen their defenses against external threats. These services will support Devon & Cornwall Police’s digital policing strategy and enhance crime prevention while delivering anticipated financial efficiencies.

The two forces employ over 5,100 police officers, 3,500 staff, and more than 550 PCSOs and special constables. As part of the contract, BT has committed to social value initiatives, including measures to improve transparency regarding the environmental impact of police activities in the South West.

Ashish Gupta, Managing Director of Corporate and Public Sector at BT, emphasized the importance of a resilient technology infrastructure in addressing current and emerging threats. He expressed pride in supporting South West police forces with future-proof connectivity to protect the public and adapt to the evolving nature of crime.

Mark Chivers, Chief Technology Officer at Devon and Cornwall Police, highlighted the successful long-term relationship with BT and the benefits of the new contract across both forces. He noted that BT's expertise and the standardization of services across the Strategic Alliance would lead to significant improvements and efficiencies.