A major law enforcement agency in central England—the West Midlands Police—has awarded a £423,600 (approx. $540,000 USD) contract for 2,000 single-gas oxygen (O₂) detectors, enhancing its capability to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. The five-year agreement, starting 15 August 2025, tasks Crowcon Detection Instruments Limited with supplying the devices, which are essential for monitoring oxygen levels in hazardous environments
Oxygen monitors are indispensable in CBRN operations, serving as defensive detection and monitoring tools that enable safe systems of work. These units will support operational teams during incident response, ensuring oxygen levels are continuously tracked to mitigate asphyxiation risks in contaminated or oxygen-depleted zones. Their portability and reliability make them well-suited for rapid deployment during emergencies ranging from chemical releases to industrial accidents.
Operational Significance
In CBRN contexts, oxygen depletion can result from hazardous gas displacement, combustion, or confined-space hazards. Real-time detection capability allows responders to identify and address these risks before entry or while operating in affected zones. By procuring 2,000 monitors, West Midlands Police is strengthening its preparedness for both intentional CBRN incidents and accidental hazardous substance releases.
Public Health and National Security Implications
Although the procurement is focused on specialist teams, the benefits extend to public safety. Reliable oxygen detection helps ensure that emergency personnel can remain on the job without becoming casualties, preserving the continuity of response during high-risk situations. This contributes directly to both public health protection and national resilience against large-scale emergencies.
Procurement Rationale and Urgency
The contracting authority—the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Midlands—funded the purchase from its policing budget, which combines UK Home Office grants and locally raised precept funding. The acquisition was made through a direct award procedure, citing extreme and unavoidable operational urgency.
Officials warned that any delay in obtaining replacements could have severely degraded the force’s CBRN capability. Risks included the potential loss of all operational monitoring if current units failed; a 10-week manufacturing and delivery lead time; at least four weeks to complete required online training for the new devices; legal and safety concerns about deploying officers without oxygen monitoring (a mandated part of the force’s safe system of work); and the possibility that officers would refuse deployment without in-service monitors.
Crowcon’s Recent Developments in Detection Technology
In July 2025, Crowcon Detection Instruments expanded its product portfolio with the launch of BESafe, a dual-channel gas detector designed to address the safety challenges of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and backup power installations. The device offers pre-calibrated smart sensors, dual-gas detection, and a compact installation footprint.
BESafe can simultaneously detect hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH₄), all gases associated with thermal runaway and fire risk in battery environments. Early detection of these hazards is crucial to preventing escalation, protecting personnel, and maintaining operational uptime.
While BESafe is intended for energy-sector applications, the underlying principles—accurate detection, timely alerts, and flexible deployment—are relevant across multiple sectors, including emergency management and homeland security.
Supplier and Contract Details
Crowcon Detection Instruments Limited, based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, specializes in gas detection systems for industrial and emergency uses. The contract was awarded on 8 August 2025 under the UK’s Procurement Act 2023. It will run until 14 August 2030.