Protocol set to root out crime gang bids

Published on Wednesday 11 May 2011 14:16

FIRMS bidding for contracts with the city council and NHS Lothians are set to be vetted by police to root out companies linked with organised crime.

The move, believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland, is aimed at preventing firms run by gangsters, or those used as fronts to launder cash, from receiving taxpayers' money.

Any firm tendering for a public contract from council and health bosses in Edinburgh will be screened by officers from the force's Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

Companies providing waste disposal, vehicle management, taxi services and security will be among those coming under close scrutiny over any alleged ties to criminals.

Police chiefs are hoping to sign up more public organisations to the scheme, which is set to be rolled out across the rest of the force area.

The new protocol was signed at Leith police station yesterday by Detective Chief Superintendent Malcolm Graham, head of the force's CID unit, city finance leader Councillor Phil Wheeler, and Adam Boyter, director of human resources and organisational development for NHS Lothian.

Det Chief Supt Graham said: "The police will be given details on the firms bidding for public contracts. We will be able to check out databases and share any information on them we believe to be relevant before a contract is awarded.

"We want to ensure that public money does not line the pockets of organised criminals, and we will do everything in our power to enforce this." Under the current system, firms seeking public contracts from the council are asked whether they are involved in criminality in bid documents. But with no way to verify the information, council bosses were unable to make definitive checks.

Councillor Wheeler said: "The council is pleased to be working in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police in the fight against organised crime.

"This protocol will protect the taxpayer and the council by ensuring contracts are not awarded to businesses linked to crime groups.

Council and NHS officials said they were unconcerned about the possibility of firms banned from obtaining contracts due to alleged criminal links suing as a result.

Mr Boyter said: "If the NHS can do anything to work with the police to reduce harm in the community then we will do that. We would rather take the risk of facing legal action than let anyone with links to organised crime groups benefit from contracts with the NHS.