Humberside Police uses car hire to save money

Humberside Police has revealed that it opts for car hire to help the organisation save money on mileage that would otherwise be paid out to staff for using their own vehicles.

A spokesperson told the Grimsby Telegraph was responding to the news that it had the 11th highest car rental bill of all 43 forces in the country, spending nearly £600,000 during the 2009/10 financial year. But they stressed that this does not take into account the savings made by having a smaller 'owned' fleet.

Councillor Steve Beasant, the former deputy chairman of the Humberside Police Authority, claimed it is often cheaper for the police to hire a car rather than purchase it, since it may end the year standing "surplus" to requirements.

"Every police force in the country has a budget for hire cars as it is recognised as best practice when travelling outside the area. The force may have to respond to emergencies around the country, such as the London riots," said Councillor Beasant.

The Lincolnshire Echo reported that Lincolnshire Police spent more than £500,000, meaning the force had the 16th highest bill in the country.

Gail Bradshaw, support services manager at the organisation, remarked that hire cars also serve as effective undercover vehicles on some projects.