A shortage of mechanics and insufficient funding are impacting the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) fleet, the Northern Ireland Policing Board has been told. PSNI Assistant Chief Officer Mark McNaughten stated that the service operates around 2,600 vehicles, including cars and armoured Land Rovers, with an average of 280 unavailable on any given day.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher earlier highlighted an urgent but unfunded need to replace public-order vehicles and the ageing air fleet. Mr McNaughten noted the average fleet age is about six years, but the fleet is larger and older than desired for efficiency, requiring investment, particularly in public-order vehicles.
While most frontline liveried cars are around four years old, armoured vehicles can be up to 14 years old. The PSNI aims for 90% fleet availability, currently at 89%, meaning 280 vehicles are parked daily due to servicing, damage, or repairs.
Mr McNaughten said there is a shortage of mechanics, with only 60% of the required complement. Recruitment and retention challenges persist, prompting measures such as regrading, reviewing vetting timelines, and offering apprenticeships. He stressed the need for resources and funding to address the ageing fleet, noting no funds are available this year to replenish the public-order fleet.
