THE National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM) has hit back at claims by outsourcing specialist Venson's chief executive Grant Scriven that the future of in-house police fleet managers is bleak.

Scriven suggested there was an inability to bring about change and innovation in the public sector, and that only the private sector could build a technical facility like Venson's for the Nottinghamshire Constabulary.

NAPFM chairman Peter Ward has railed at such suggestions, claiming the NAPFM seeks to provide best value initiatives and professional expertise, by using its collective knowledge and expertise.

He said best value and cost-effectiveness was continually assessed, including comparison with outsourced services and argued that any savings go directly back into the police force, rather than to shareholders.

Ward also said that police facilities and maintenance standards were some of the best and most professional there are.