Police and fire services along with other Government bodies now have a “state of the art” public safety radio system.

Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, said the digital system worked better and would cut radio costs by 60 per cent over its 15-year life span.

Mr Caines told the House of Assembly the Government normally paid at least $2 million each year.

His ministry signed a $4.17 million contract with a local firm, Electronic Communications Limited, last year.

Every radio on the system is able to communicate with each other, and the handsets have “a high level of encryption”, Mr Caines said.

He added: “This new radio platform will enable public safety agencies to coordinate more efficiently than in past days.”

Its implementation is to continue over the next several weeks.

• To read the minister’s statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.