FOI Request 2101

Subject: Emergency Securing Services Data

Status: Complete

Date received: January 2025

Question Asked:

We are conducting research on the use of emergency securing services (such as boarding up and securing buildings) for the UK’s fire departments. As part of this research, we would like to find out the following information about your fire department’s practices and data in this area. Specifically, we are looking to cover the following:

Scenarios and Usage:

• In what scenarios do you use emergency securing services (i.e. when would you use forceable entries that require emergency securing services)? Are there standard guidelines or policies governing when these services are engaged?

Frequency:

• How many cases require emergency securing services annually  (ideally from 2010 to 2024). If possible, please provide a breakdown of the cause of forced entry (i.e. executing search warrant, concern for welfare, to prevent property damage, etc.).

Service Providers:

• Who are the main providers or contractors engaged for emergency securing services?

• What proportion of emergency securing services does each contractor achieve?

Expenditure and remuneration:

• How are these services funded – is there a framework in place (if so, please provide detail)? Which parties are responsible for remunerating the emergency securing service contractor?

• What is the average cost per securing service?

• What has been the annual expenditure on emergency securing services for each year from 2010 to 2024?

Our Response:

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have no contracts in place for any boarding up services and there are no records held of any payments to any boarding up companies.

Outcome: Information Not Held

FOI responded to within timescales: YES

Further action: NO