DORSET Police has signed a 10-year contract worth £70m with BT for new IT equipment. 

Together with Devon and Cornwall Police, the contract is said to “strengthen” the forces’ technology to create “efficient” 101 and 999 services. 

Dorset Police recently came bottom of the pile when it comes to answering 999 calls data available for the end of last year, only answering 70.2 per cent of calls within 10 seconds. 

BT will also work with both police forces to improve public contact  while improving intelligence gathering and data sharing for staff. 

Frontline officers will benefit from improved connectivity for devices such as mobile phones, body-worn cameras and vehicle radio systems. 

Ashish Gupta, managing director for corporate and public sector at BT, said: “Efficient and resilient technology infrastructure is crucial to support the police in tackling both current and emerging threats – so we’re proud to have the back of south west police forces by delivering exactly that.  

“This new managed service from BT will help future-proof connectivity in all areas of policing, from those on the frontline to behind-the-scenes support staff, helping them to protect the public and keep pace with the changing nature of crime.”