VENSON has officially opened its multi-million pound police fleet management facility in Nottingham, and claims that one day all police vehicles will be privately run.

Grant Scriven, Venson chief executive, was in bullish mood about the future, saying the arguments for outsourcing would be impossible to ignore, once authorities saw the expertise, levels of service and cost savings the private sector brought to police fleet management.

'No other police force in the country can take you into this sort of facility. This is the way to go. The train has left the station,' he said.

The ceremonial ribbon was cut by Nottinghamshire chief constable Steve Green. He said: 'I'm very happy with the way things are developing. I've tried to get feedback on how it is going from officers and everybody is very excited about it.'

Critics of the £100 million, 25-year pilot scheme have warned the private sector lacks communication with front line police officers, and only works to minimum contract obligations. Scriven dismissed these claims, challenging detractors to visit the facility to see the lengths to which Venson had gone. Chief Constable Green said he had not had any complaints from officers about management of the operation since Venson took over in early October.

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