NEC Software Solutions UK secures another eight years providing tech for the core policing platform “Athena”
NEC Software Solutions UK has today announced that its current contract to provide its Connect core policing platform for the Athena programme, has been extended until 2029.
NEC Connect is the backbone of the Athena system which, with the support and guidance from all users including chief officers, police and fire commissioners, enables nine police forces to share vital operational information.
It allows Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Kent, Norfolk, Suffolk, Warwickshire and West Mercia forces to collaborate and use one database of information across force borders to improve detection and conviction rates and support national initiatives.
The system reduces the need for officers to return to the police station to update records and access key intelligence. Officers can perform duties remotely giving them greater visibility on the streets and more time to spend with the public.
Steve Ainsworth, executive director of public safety at NEC Software Solutions UK, said: “It’s never been more important for police officers to have instant and accurate information, so they have the confidence to make informed decisions on the frontline.
“Athena is a great example of what can be done when forces collaborate effectively to reduce crime and harm to the public. We are very proud to be part of this project and have developed a close working relationship with the nine forces, understanding their changing needs so we can continue to help them improve their responses to crime.”
First deployed in 2015, Athena is the largest integrated policing system of its kind in the UK. More than 30,000 officers use it to instantly access information on custody, intelligence, cases and investigations at any time, on any device, with over 1 million searches taking place every day.
Numerous cross-border crimes have been solved using Connect, including a case where 60 crimes across the UK were linked, resulting in the successful arrest and conviction of one serial fraudster who had taken tens of thousands of pounds from victims.
Find out more about our police records management system.
