WILSONS Auctions’ New Year is off to a great start as it announces it has been awarded a contract by the Police and Crime Commissioners for South Wales, Gwent and Dyfed Powys.

The UK and Ireland’s largest independent auction company, which has a base in Newport, has been awarded the four-year contract for the provision of auction services for haulage, storage and disposal of seized goods.

The contract will cover all categories of assets including vehicles, land and property, vessels, designer clothing, jewellery and watches.

Peter Johnston, group operations director at Wilsons Auctions, said: “There is no better way to start the New Year than announcing our success in being awarded this contract for the provision of this service for a further four years, allowing us to continue our work with police forces across South Wales.

"This contract for Wilsons Auctions further adds to the work it is already carrying out as the leading provider of asset management services to public and private sector organisations across the UK, Ireland and beyond.

“With the ability to identify, recover, store and dispose of any category of asset, the renewal of this contract vindicates our methodology and our commitment to supporting the fight against crime by minimising the costs and maximising the return on assets seized from criminals. We are proud of the work we carry out on behalf of our clients and this contract will allow us to add to the £100m worth of assets that have realised in recent years on behalf of government clients,” he said.

The news comes as the auction company has also been awarded contracts across the UK, including a five-year contract to provide property store disposal services to Cheshire Constabulary and a four-year contract by the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland for the provision of auction services for vehicles and associated garage equipment on behalf of selected public sector bodies through the construction and procurement delivery.

Wilsons Auctions is an auction company with more than 80 years experience. It has grown to become the largest independent auction company in the British Isles with sites in the Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales including more than 400 members of staff and an annual hammer total in excess of £300m.