AIRWAVES and brainwaves have won praise for Bury-based Pennine Telecom from the UK Atomic Energy Authority's (UKAEA) Constabulary.

For the Salford Street company has received a pat on the back following a major contract to introduce a new airwave and command control system at sites in Oxfordshire and Springfields, near Preston. Pennine's expertise allied to a strong working partnership with the Constabulary were the key elements behind the success.

The Bury company was responsible for the introduction of a fit-for-purpose control room environment and its flexibility to work around the Constabulary's special security requirements.

Tony Presland, the UKAEA Constabulary's airwave project manager, said: "This has allowed both partners to overcome all the minor issues that arise in such implementations"

Pennine won the tender to act as implementation partner for the introduction of a special system to UKAEA Constabulary.

The system has a dual purpose of enhancing on-site communications and enabling UKAEA police officers to communicate directly with their colleagues at Home Office and Scottish Executive Forces. It will eventually allow communication with all emergency services.

Pennine's solution was to provide a specialised command and control system.

The initial installation has been so successful that the Bury business has been contracted to undertake further installations at Capenhurst near Chester and Chapelcross in Dumfriesshire. The project will be extended to Sellafield in Cumbria next year.

In addition to a significant improvement in communications, the new system has enhanced security measures and complies with encryption levels stipulated by GCHQ security guidelines.