Decision

To approve the award of a contract for Target Hardening services to was 24-7 Locks – Secure Horizon (07629702) from 15th December 2025 31st March 2026, with the option of a 12-month extension period, the cost for the initial period shall be £73,750.00 any extension period will be dependent on grant funding. The estimated total maximum contract value is £250,750.00 for the life of the contract (contract spend is subject to service usage).

An open above threshold tender exercise was completed under the Procurement Act 2023 and two compliant submissions where received, following the evaluation process the highest scoring tenderer in line with the evaluation methodology and in accordance with the Most Advantageous Tender criteria. The contract is to deliver high quality target hardening services including the supply and fit of security products, as detailed within the pricing schedule, to victims and survivors and their families of domestic abuse and/or hate crime, in Wirral with effect

Reasons for the decision

The Council has a statutory duty to deliver Target Hardening for victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse, under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Sanctuary Schemes. The Sanctuary Scheme is a victim/survivor centred initiative which aims to enable households at risk of domestic abuse to remain in their own homes (if it is safe and their choice) and reduce repeat victimisation through the provision of enhanced security measures (Sanctuary) and support.

Target Hardening is defined as a series of enhanced security and/or safety measures that can be installed within or outside of a property to reduce the risk of domestic abuse and the fear of abuse, strengthening evidence gathering / safety plans.

Target hardening enables those at risk of domestic abuse to remain in their own homes. It supports victims to feel safer should they choose to remain, and it can reduce repeat victimisation through the provision of enhanced security measures.

Wirral Domestic Abuse Hub provides a target hardening service to anyone at risk of or experiencing domestic abuse and/or hate crime. By providing target hardening services to all victims of domestic abuse and/or hate crime, not just high-risk victims, we reduce repeat victimisation and help to prevent the abuse escalating. Target hardening is only appropriate where the perpetrator of the abuse is no longer living in the property. The additional security measures aim to increase physical safety of victims by preventing or delaying perpetrators from gaining access to the property. It also increases the victim’s perceived safety by virtue of its presence. The target hardening service aims to have measures installed within 48 hours of the request being made

The current Target Hardening contract is due to end on 30th November 2025.

Alternative options considered

• To go out to re-tender but this would mean there would be no contract in place for a statutory service.
• We could bring the service in-house, however, we do not have the specialist experience to deliver this service so we would need to go through the recruitment process and ensure we have the right infrastructure in place