Biohazard cleaning contracts 628/2026

FOI Reference: 628/2026

Request:

2024-2025 tax year

1- What's the name of the company's Dyfed Powys Police use for biohazard cleaning of vehicles and cells and trauma scenes.

2- For the 2024-2025 tax year how often was the external companies used to clean cells / vehicles

3- How much do the external companies charge for each callout for a cell or vehicle.

Response 1:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

In 2024-2025: Ultima

Response 2:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

Cells: 123

Vehicles: 244

Response 3:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested; however, we are exempting the information as we believe that the following exemption is relevant: 

Section 43(2) - Commercial Interests 

“(2) Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it).” 

This is a qualified and class-based exemption. As a class-based exemption, legislators have already accepted the harm in release of this class of information. As a consequence, there is no requirement to evidence the harm in disclosing such information. However, as the exemption is a qualified exemption there is a requirement to apply the public interest test, as detailed below. 

Public Interest Test: 

Considerations Favouring Disclosure: 

There is a requirement to provide to the general public a better understanding of how public funds are spent. One of the underlying principles of the Act is the need for openness and transparency. In this case, there is a public interest in establishing that Dyfed-Powys Police has negotiated a competitive rate in relation to biohazard cleaning.

Considerations Favouring Non-Disclosure: 

In this case, to release details of the biohazard cleaning callout charge would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the current supplier by adversely affecting its bargaining position during contractual negotiations which would result in the less effective use of public money. This would not only prejudice the commercial interests of the company/supplier but also that of Dyfed-Powys Police, as the release of this information may also affect the competitiveness of the contract which in turn would affect the relationship the force has with the company/supplier which could result in civil action from a third party. Furthermore, disclosing the amount may prohibit Dyfed-Powys Police from being able to negotiate a contract that is of maximum benefit. 

Balancing Test: 

When balancing the public interest test, we have to consider whether the information should be released into the public domain. Advantages and disadvantages of disclosure need to be weighed against each other. In this case there is the use of public funds favouring disclosure which needs to be weighed against the damage that would occur to any ongoing or future tender process and the commercial interests of third parties. 

By releasing the requested information, the commercial interests of a business and individuals may be compromised including that of Dyfed-Powys Police, along with the relationship that Dyfed-Powys Police has with that company/supplier or persons. Therefore, the factor favouring non-disclosure, which is damage would occur to any future tender process and the commercial interests of third parties outweighs the factor favouring disclosure, which is better understanding of how public funds are spent. 

As such, the public interest favours non-disclosure of the information at this time. Therefore, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. 

This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 29/07/2026.