Norfolk and Suffolk Police Authorities have today closed a 30-year PFI deal for the building and running of six Police Investigation Centres for £60m.

The contract has been awarded to the Justice Support Services (JSS) consortium alongside property consultancy McBains Cooper, following approval of the final business case by the Home Office.

The centres will be located at King’s Lynn, Aylsham, Wymondham, Great Yarmouth, Bury St. Edmunds and Ipswich, and will take over custody, detainee processing and administration functions for the authorities.

Mark Leeson, director at McBains Cooper said: “This is the first PFI procurement in the police service to have been undertaken jointly by two Police Authorities together.

“It’s great to have secured financial close on such a complex project, especially as we had to liaise concurrently with six different local planning authorities, as well multiple stakeholders and interested parties for the six sites which are dispersed widely over two counties.

The Justice Support Services Consortium comprises Reliance Secure Task Management, Kier Project Investment Ltd and Lloyds Banking Group.

Phil Townsend, a director of Justice Support Services said: “These centres will enhance Norfolk and Suffolk Police Authorities’ ability to deliver efficient and effective 21st century policing to the public, improve the working conditions of the staff, and allow them to optimise operational practices and procedures.”

The Police Investigation Centres are due to become operational in 2011.

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