There have been concerns raised about the outdated vehicle fleet of the PSNI, with approximately 20% reported to be out of service at some point in 2023.
The PSNI operates an authorized fleet comprising nearly 2,700 vehicles, covering approximately 27 million miles annually.
It encompasses armored, non-armor-clad, and commercial vehicles, along with several aircraft, watercraft, and motorcycles.
According to a recent report from the Auditor General, since the fiscal year 2021/22, the PSNI has expended nearly £26 million on acquiring new vehicles. Nevertheless, over twenty-five percent of their vehicle inventory exceeds ten years in age, and there’s been a growing count of them out of service because they require maintenance.
The most ancient vehicle mentioned in the document is an armored Land Rover nearing four decades of age, whereas five heavy goods vehicles and one motorcycle surpass two decades in service, along with twenty vans being over fifteen years old.
The findings revealed that from 2021-22 to 2023-24, nearly £11 million was allocated for vehicle repair and upkeep within internal facilities.
Nonetheless, the ability to staff this workload has decreased, leading to greater dependence on external contractors, which comes at a higher cost.
The study additionally revealed that a rising count of vehicles were out of service because they required repair and maintenance work.
The percentage of the vehicle fleet in maintenance shops rose from an average of 6% in 2021 to 16% in 2023. At peak times, nearly 500 vehicles were out of service, which equates to about one-fifth (20%) of the total fleet.
The report indicated that in September 2023, nearly 500 vehicles were present in the workshops. Although the figures dipped somewhat in 2024, they remained over double what they were in comparison to 2021 levels.
The study revealed that problems with capacity are causing hold-ups in preparing police cars for service on the front lines.
The study revealed that the average duration for commissioning a vehicle was nine months; nonetheless, numerous specific units required significantly more time, as nearly one-quarter of them exceeded a year in the commissioning process.
The auditor's report looks into how the PSNI has put into practice its fleet management.
Plan for strategy encompassing updates for modernization along with advancements toward its goals
sustainability goals for the vehicle lineup.
The plan introduced in 2021 focuses on updating systems, enhancing technological capabilities, and transitioning towards an eco-friendlier vehicle lineup.
One of the main goals of the strategy was to incorporate approximately 700 electric vehicles into the fleet.
Nevertheless, the problems highlighted in the auditor's report indicate that the rate at which fleets are being restocked does not align with the expectations set out in the Fleet Strategy. Consequently, the PSNI has been compelled to keep more vehicles in operation than initially projected.
As a result, it hasn't managed to attain the anticipated cost savings via standardization and enhanced maintenance.
In the meantime, the PSNI's initiative to boost the number of electric vehicles, aiming for nearly 700 by 2026, has progressed more slowly than anticipated.
The auditor determined that this issue partially stems from problems related to commissioning capacity, which typically takes around 14 months for these vehicles on average.
The document further points out that the setup of essential charging facilities has not kept pace with electric vehicle purchases. It also highlights that there was insufficient evaluation of the obstacles, timelines, and financial resources needed for this process.
This refers back to earlier discoveries made by the Northern Ireland Audit Office during their examination of the 2022-23 financial records for the PSNI. The review uncovered that 100 electric vehicles, worth £2.4 million collectively, were bought yet never set up for service; these EVs remained idle in storage at the PSNI’s Seapark location for almost one year.
The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, Dorinnia Carville, stated that efficient fleet management is essential for the PSNI's operational efficiency.
"Meeting the scheduled fleet replenishment rates under the present fiscal conditions will pose challenges. Nevertheless, maintaining an aging fleet comes at a high cost and could have substantial operational consequences," she stated.
This report indicates that advancements have been realized in several domains; however, significant work remains, especially concerning the implementation of electric vehicles.
The setup of sufficient charging facilities for numerous electric vehicles ought to have been a crucial factor prior to these cars being bought.
“A substantial amount of vehicles was obtained, entailing a significant expense for the public treasury, and these vehicles were not utilized promptly.”
A cohesive strategy within the PSNI, along with a thorough Electric Vehicle Plan, is long overdue and should be expedited promptly.
The report encompasses ten suggestions such as formulating more comprehensive yearly car acquisition strategies, establishing clear deadlines for commissioning times, reassessing its methods of maintaining and putting into service vehicles, and devising an Electric Vehicle Plan.