Welfare van: Federation and Force in joint initiative

5 March 2021

Officers could soon have access to welfare facilities when they are deployed to major incidents and events or while preserving scenes.

West Midlands Police Federation, in a joint initiative with the Force, is providing a welfare van which will be fitted out so that it provides a warm and dry place to take a break and somewhere to make a hot drink or light refreshments. The van will have a seating area and toilet facilities.

“Members are regularly telling us that one of the biggest issues for officers at scenes is the lack of basic welfare facilities,” says Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation.

“There are just far too many occasions when officers are deployed and then left in situations where they have no access to a toilet, somewhere to take refreshments, a place to wash their hands or simply somewhere to sit and have a drink and something to eat.

“By investing in a welfare van, which can be used in a variety of circumstances, the Federation is clearly investing in officers’ wellbeing. I believe this initiative will make a real difference to officers’ lives.”

Welfare vans are designed to have a small kitchenette with hot and cold water taps along with a microwave, fridge and water heater. There is a separate toilet with a wash basin, as well as a drying area for wet clothes and storage. The vehicle has a canopy which opens out from the side to provide shelter and shade from the weather.

West Midlands Police Federation workplace representative Sid James had put forward a proposal for the new vehicle at a branch meeting earlier this year.

He told colleagues: “I have carried out a survey over the past 12 months of scenes covered by officers and the average period is between three and four days. This average multiplied by two officers over three shifts means between 18 and 24 officers attend the average scene going without basic facilities. Of course, this is further magnified by the current situation where we are in the middle of a global pandemic.”

The Force will buy the new van, which will become part of its fleet and West Midlands Police Federation will pay for it to be converted in a welfare vehicle. The Force will then be responsible for ongoing costs other than any refreshments which will also be paid for by the Federation branch.